Additional veterans of Vietnam era to receive benefits
August 2, 2011
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The Department of Veteran Affairs has released new information that can affect veterans who served during the Vietnam era. Those veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975; and those who served in Korea between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971, in a unit determined by the VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) to have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ.
Prior to this change, the VA recognized Agent Orange exposure could only be conceded to veterans who served in certain units along the Korean Demiliterized Zone (DMZ) between April 1968 and July 1969 or served in country in Vietnam or along the shores of Vietnam (Brown Water) from August 5, 1964 thru May 7, 1975.
Eligible veterans, who have specific illnesses the VA presumes to be associated with herbicide exposure, do not have to prove an association between their illness and their military service.
Currently, only the following diseases are presumed to be service connected for veterans who were exposed to herbicides (Agent Orange):
Chloracne; Hodgkins disease; diabetes mellitus type II; non-Hodgkins lymphoma; porphyria cutanea tarda; soft-tissue sarcoma; multiple myeloma; cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea; prostate cancer; acute and sub-acute peripheral neuropathy; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); B cell leukemias (such as hairy cell leukemia); Parkinsons disease; ischemic heart disease; AL amyloidosis; and soft tissue sarcoma.
If you are a Vietnam-era veteran that meets these guidelines, and have any of these health issues, or a widow of a Vietnam-era veteran that expired from any of these issues, call the Tuscarawas County Veteran Services office. The Veteran Service Office assists in filing the VA claim.
Vietnam-era veterans, that were exposed to Agent Orange, may qualify for some health care coverage through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Department of Veteran Affairs has also added amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs, as a presumptive condition for any veteran that has served in the military for 90 days or more of continuously active service. The decision is based on studies suggesting that veterans are more likely to develop the disease. If the veteran has expired due to this condition, there may be a benefit for the widow.
Any veterans or a widows of veterans who have questions regarding VA benefits, call the Tuscarawas County Veteran Services office. In the state of Ohio, all counties have a veteran services office. They are not the Veterans Administration, but the liaison between the claimant and the VA. They will explain VA benefits, assist in completing all VA paperwork, and follow the claim process from beginning to completion.
The Tuscarawas County Veteran Services office phone number is 330-339-1163.
