VA Letter

[jeepnik]

I know we have a lot of vets on this forum. I just received a letter regarding the PACT Act. This has to do with compensation for exposure to thing's like Agent Orange, Radiation & Asbestos. Apparently just serving in some areas including SEA we now have presumptive exposure to this stuff

Anyone else get a letter.

[Griff]

I seldom read stuff from the VA. My ship was supposedly listed prior to this Act for exposure to Agent Orange, but mysteriously removed shortly thereafter. Regardless, none of the skin cancers I've had removed qualify... known be caused by AO. And the fact that our ship was nothing but Asbestos insulated, still remains an "unproved" cause of my skin cancer. They seem to blame it on me being a fair skinned, redhead who grew up along Coastal So Calif... Seems prejudiced to me...

[jeepnik]

This PACT Act seems to modify eligibility. I'm having a much smarter lawyer type person look into it. The good thing is it also has provisions that might cover my kids as well. This appears only to be for physical exposure to toxins. They never really did anything for my youngest when he had his deamons after three trips to Iraq.

[COSteve]

I got one too, however, I'm already getting disability payments due to the 'lead exposure' I received while in VN.

[GunnyMack]

My uncle was in Nam, construction battalion- spent most of his time on a dozer. He didn't talk much about his time there but he did say he was in the AO all the time, literally having it air dropped on him. Emphysema, diabetes, Parkinson and lord knows what else the stuff caused for him and others.
Gentlemen, thank you for your service! You have my undying RESPECT!

[Ray Newman]

Speaking from personal experience, have a veteran’s service organization -- Disabled American Veterans, VFW, etc., hold power of attorney to monitor and review your claim(s).

Since March 1968, I have been a recipient of VA compensation, medical care, and prosthetic devices. The DAV holds my power of attorney to represent me and review/monitor my claims. As a result, my claims have always been processed in a timely manner. Any issues were resolved by the DAV.

The VA employed me as a claims adjudicator from August 1975 to September 1977. During that brief employment I saw how the DAV and other veterans service groups successfully monitored and reviewed the veteran’s claim(s).

[Blaine]

I agree that the DAV are the ones to sort this out. They are also maybe the best advocates for applying for disability, and seeing the claim through to the end.

[marlinman93]

I guess since I've never used my GI benefits or gone to a VA hospital, I'm not on the mailing list? At least I've never gotten a letter from them since I discharged in the early 70's. My oldest daughter is a case worker for the VA, and she keeps telling me I should take part and benefit from things the VA offers, but I've gotten along without for 50 years now.

[COSteve]

You might still get one. I got mine last month but a neighbor just got his today. BTW, it ain't just for SEA. Guam or American Somoa, Johnston Atoll, Enewetak Atoll, and Thule AFB, Greenland are all on the list.