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Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders

Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Apr 21 9:39am | Replies (136)
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@mikey1

jjames, Sir; Sincerely appreciate your post Dated: Oct 16, 2016.. However, with patience, I fail to understand our Congress, our VA in-reference to the abuses our honorably discharged Vietnam, and Vietnam ERA Veterans are left to suffer with ! Personally I have had 2 types of Cancer removed, two AORTA Aneurysms, one "Widow maker" plus 8 different stents crammed into my heart. I have stabbing pains in right knee, causing me instability (use walker).. Left Kidney surgically corrected from blockages.. Left side of body remains numb.. I have Sleep Apnea, and I have to use CPAP, and 24/7 oxygen .. Several emails to State representatives, Have received maybe 3 responses.. the rest have not replied, except to request Contributions and Voter Support !! ... I have requested (FOIA) 5 times reference to flight departures .. one response to redirect me to "Archives" still waiting on 4 remaining responses !! I have been denied claims.. even though I prove to VA that in 1971, I was on 2 Ships which are listed on VA "Exposed Ships List, 1971 ".. Some of above surgeries are listed by VA as caused by exposure !! Now, I am on appeals, Still waiting (3 Years) .. I feel with ALL this Crap, I am developing PTSD.. Definitely STRESS.. I don't know why we are treated the way we are... its almost (if Not) Unconstitutional, inhumane treatment.. I understand many politicians dodged the 60's draft.. I do Not blame them.. I was afraid too.. but why the continued suffering, abandonment issues.. Congress (per the Constitution) is who can declare War !! Congress can change the continued abuse and denials of benefits to our Veterans !! Why the Continued abuse, is it Shame, is it Guilt ? Respectfully, Mike

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Replies to "jjames, Sir; Sincerely appreciate your post Dated: Oct 16, 2016.. However, with patience, I fail to..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 20, 2018

Hello @mikey1, welcome to Connect. I'm also a Vietnam Vet. I'm not sure if you saw one of my earlier posts with the following links for more information on Agent Orange.

What you need to know about agent orange:
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/17744/10-things-every-veteran-know-agent-orange/

How to go about getting help/compensation:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp

Hoping you find answers and help you need…

John

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johnjames | @johnjames | Oct 20, 2018

Mikey1- re you saying that the VA system has not ever contacted you or helped with an Agent Orange Claim? Also are you in Phoenix- the reason I ask is: there is a part time VA REP: that does nothing else than process the Veterans claim after one meeting with him, and you bring in your DD- 214 and any orders you might still have from Viet Nam- He can pin point where you were and all the sites where the chemicals were sprayed. That's the first thing that would help you allot getting your claim open( which goes much faster now with the new mandate by the President to process Viet Nam Veterans claims faster and to put them in the front of the pile- especially those with Agent Orange illnesses of any kind, I did this same process and it was completed in 4 months- But it takes the VA office I just mentioned to do the paper work proving where you were and that you were in fact spayed. And you are so right about how the people ( did not receive us as soldiers serving in real war- but as a form of people who committed crimes to the Viet Nam people to include murder and the killing of Children- which -not only isn't true, but they did not look or take time to research the facts of all the soldiers did for the people of South Viet Nam. The first time I came home -we landed at Travis AFB- at 4am, no one was there except the Air Force welcoming party and a Full Streak Dinner before leaving for home.( that was the best home coming we ever had- which I thank God for all those who understood why we were fighting. However the second time I came home- we landed in SF CA where there was hundreds of the people you talked about- It felt as if we had landed in a difference America. I served in the Infantry for many years before later on in life I studied to be an Army Chaplain- For the last 35 plus years. I have retired now do to many illnesses caused by Agent Orange. And the VA accepted all the facts from my doctors without any issues. But that's only been 3 years ago before all the claims were approved. So tell me how I can help you- and get information you need and what you may be looking for. I pray this makes scene and is a little help. In my prayers Brother. JJames.

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