Essential tremors and post polio syndrome and agent orange exposure

Posted by bruce0712 @bruce0712, Nov 2, 2020

Very rare condition, I cannot find any experts on this topic. The Veterans Administration admits that I was exposed to agent orange chemicals, thankful I never died from it or got cancer, however, the VA continually denies that my eventual permament essential tremors was NOT caused by the exposure. My attorney believes it was a matter of the Navy should never have allowed my enlistment because I was a polio victim at age 1, the recruiter said "well, you seem fine now". I would have been drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam had I not joined the Navy, but it turned out I was sent to Vietnam on my ship that was transporting agent orange chemicals. I recovered mostly from polio but have forever had fatigue issues. Attorney believes the combination of having had polio plus exposure likely caused my tremors. I seek an expert's opinion that would agree that this is likely the case. VA denies me any benefits saying there is no proof or any experts saying it is likely. Does anyone know where I might be able to get such an expert opinion? THe Mayo Clinic is telling me they cannot make any appointments for any kind of exam even though I live 90 minutes away from Jacksonville. Any help would be appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

@justjuls

I wish they would change that ruling on tremors my husband has had them for 45 years, along with hearing loss and high PSA and the newest finding CT scans that look like cracked glass, and spot on the Kidney, but all VA doctors say not connected to Agent Orange. He should just go outside the VA to a neurologist and see what they say.

Jump to this post

Hello @justjuls

I was thinking about you and wondering how you and your husband are doing. Has he been able to get medical help outside of the VA?

REPLY
@bruce0712

Yes, the VA thus far has denied claims several times, each time essentially telling me that I would need to prove that agent orange exposure causes essential tremor. They have acknowledged exposure based on where my ship was. I do have a VSO assisting my claims, he is as upset with how the VA is handling my claim as much as I am. Thus, he suggested trying to connect my having had polio with the exposure but that would require an expert opinion. I already know how easy it is for me to get fatigued, and I deal with the tremors and ED issues to boot, to be totally honest.

Jump to this post

Bruce has there been any changes on your claim since the new ruling on Parkinsonsism? I also had Polio as a child. I served in Vietnam in 1966. Thanks Ron

REPLY
@ronaldmurphy

Bruce has there been any changes on your claim since the new ruling on Parkinsonsism? I also had Polio as a child. I served in Vietnam in 1966. Thanks Ron

Jump to this post

Yes, finally approved. plus a neurologist said that the polio I had had no relationship to the conditions I had stated, so I lucked out and my rating was increased for Parkinsonism, their VA doctor agreed with the prognosis made by my neurologist. I deal with these issues every day and am thankful this was approved, I hope you are successful in your efforts. Don't give up hope, I had just about given up.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.