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Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
From: Brian Wickham
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
I’m 73. When I was 65 I went to the local VA Hospital and registered. They gave me a card and at that time said I was not qualified for any benefits based on a “means test.” That was fine as I wasn’t looking for benefits. A year or so later I told my brother-in-law that he should register. He ran into a roadblock where they had suspended registration of people of a certain age group. That later changed back to normal. A few years ago I put in for ischemic heart disease, based on AO exposure. I had a quad bypass in 1995 and two subsequent stents. My doctor followed up nicely when contacted and I was awarded a 60% disability after a brief interview at the VA Hospital here. All this happened during the massive backlog period a few years ago, but it did happen! I would advise any Viet Vet who has had heart troubles and whose doctor says it is definitely ischemic heart disease to put in a claim. Now I’m waiting for them to recognize bladder cancer.
Brian Wickham
From: Mike Jackson
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
Because I was not career military, I signed up for the Agent Orange Registry Health Exam and completed it at a VA hospital:
(Click here for the registration website.)
Afterward, I was put on the Agent Orange Registry and received VA medical benefits. And as a side benefit, because I was on the Agent Orange Registry, I received hearing aids at no cost. If you haven't done this, you need too asap.
MikeJ
Agent Orange Map
The following is a small map of South Vietnam showing the areas that were sprayed with Agent Orange.
[Taken from Facebook in September 2017.]
From: Bob Peetz
Date: June 24, 2017
Best combination for retired military over 65 = Medicare + Tricare 4 Life.
Winds, Bob
From: Paul Kasper
Date: May 4, 2017
Subject: Use of VA Identification Card (Forwarded Message)
To All:
I checked at the airport and TSA to determine if the VA ID card with my photograph on it was a valid Identification to Fly.
IT IS! I thought the information was inclusive enough to pass the requirements and I was correct. We need to thank the VA and information others about this advantage to having the VA ID.
Dr. Wayne Reynolds National Treasurer Vietnam Veterans of America
From: Mike Jackson
Date: June 24, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
That's spot on. Thanks
MikeJ
From: Steve Sevits
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: VA Identification Card
Cliff,
As a veteran you should get a VA ID card good for veteran discounts at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
This info came from a group to which I belong.
Steve
From: John Workman
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
I signed up for Agent Orange registry. They didn’t suggest, ask or request a medical exam but was advised to file claim for my Diabetes, Heart & Hearing.
Just had the VA medical review and sounds like will get a partial disability for Diabetes, waiting on heart decision as they want more records for doctors.
Hearing still TBD. Possibly another hearing test. Hope get hearing aids and need new ones.
I’m thinking once get official results of claim and whatever disability, will file for VA ID & medical benefits if qualify.
BTW, those of you getting VA medical care, do you also have Medicare or just use the VA medical?
I’m going to be retiring in another year or two or even possibly end of this as my company has been bought and I may get let go.
So uncertain if need both Medicare & VA medical or just one or other?
It appears the VA ID is just that an ID but not benefit except to show proof of military service.
It should be noted that the identification card is different from a Veteran Health Identification card or a DOD Uniformed Services or retiree ID card. As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations.
Forgot to add the link for VA ID card that I found: Click Here.
From: Doug Jennings
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
Turning 65? What You Need to Know about Signing up for Medicare. Click Here.
From: John Workman
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
I signed up for Agent Orange registry. They didn’t suggest, ask or request a medical exam but was advised to file claim for my Diabetes, Heart & Hearing.
Just had the VA medical review and sounds like will get a partial disability for Diabetes, waiting on heart decision as they want more records for doctors.
Hearing still TBD. Possibly another hearing test. Hope get hearing aids and need new ones.
I’m thinking once get official results of claim and whatever disability, will file for VA ID & medical benefits if qualify.
BTW, those of you getting VA medical care, do you also have Medicare or just use the VA medical?
I’m going to be retiring in another year or two or even possibly end of this as my company has been bought and I may get let go.
So uncertain if need both Medicare & VA medical or just one or other?
It appears the VA ID is just that an ID but not benefit except to show proof of military service.
It should be noted that the identification card is different from a Veteran Health Identification card or a DOD Uniformed Services or retiree ID card. As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations.
From: Brian1Russ
Date: June 24, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
Vietnam, boots on the ground, Vets don't require a means test with the VA. If they tell you that you need a means test, they are misinformed . All boots on the ground vets are Class 6. If you can afford it keep Medicare, a supplement, and VA.
From: Doug Jennings
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
I, too, originally ('03 or '04) signed up for the Agent Orange Registry through our local VA "County Service Officer". That can still get the process underway today, as far as I know. However, if you're close to a VA hospital, just walk in with your DD214 and ask a volunteer where you sign up for benefits and they will direct you to the proper office. Friends of mine, both RVN vets and non-RVN vets have recently done it this way by going to the VA hospital. It's a painless process, and once they verify you as a vet, they will send you a VA card. After that you should get a letter from them setting up an appointment for you to see a VA Doctor.
They love me so much, they poke and prod me every 3 months at the local VA Clinic here at The Lake of the Ozarks. However, a person can choose to use the VA system as much or as little as they want.
You can also start the process online at eBenefits.
Doug Jennings
AFVN 70/71
AFVN Group Conversations
From: Nancy Smoyer
Date: June 23, 2017
Subject: Agent Orange Registry
About diabetes and VA benefits compensation for Vietnam vets: You can get 10% compensation automatically for diabetes (based on the presumption that everyone in Vietnam was exposed to Agent Orange and therefore susceptible to diabetes). If it's being treated, you get 20% which can go up as the intensity of the treatment increases.
Nancy
NB: Not to say that Nancy is wrong, but my experience with Agent Orange and prostate cancer has been: Stage 1: Diagnosed as having prostate cancer but it was not active = 30% disability and suitable VA payments, then Stage 2: Diagnosed as having active prostate cancer and get treatment for same: = 100% disability and (hopefully) suitable "tax free" payments but the paperwork is going through the VA's paper mill. Jim White
Agent Orange Registry - VA
June 2017