I recently was allowed by a Veterans Administration agent (field officer) to apply for benifits based on my exposure to "Agent Orange" in Viet Nam [68-69] .
I had tried in the past to apply but was told by the VA agent that they [va] were not accepting "Parkinsons" related applications! I don't know if it was just the va officer or new policy.
I know that the DOD is looking at the PK&AORNGE issue as well as other proposed legislation!
If you or some one else you know who was exposed to agent orange during the Viet Nam war and has PK as welll as Diabetes Heart conditions etc. please let them know about this and to make an aplication to the VA.
BUZZZ.

Thanks Buzzz,

My Uncle was exposed to this Agent Orange. I don't get to see him much but I do know he was sick years ago. Sorry to hear that you were exposed to it.

Hope the VA hospitals are finding ways to help the ones that was exposed.

Thanks, Trish

There are currently 2 bills in Congress -- S. 1752 and HR 1428 that if passed will create a presumption of service connection for disabled veterans living with Parkinson’s disease who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam." In July of this year, the Institute of Medicine released a report concluding that there is “limited or suggestive evidence” of a link between exposure to Agent Orange and Parkinson’s disease in Vietnam veterans. PAN supports these bills. you can find out more about them and contact youor Senators and Reps. thru the PAN website
see: http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/Sena...ntroduced.html

A friend just sent this announcement. Looks like the VA moved faster than Congress on this decision
"VA Extends 'Agent Orange' Benefits to More Veterans
Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:40am EDT
Parkinson's Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized


"WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Relying on an independent study
by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with
three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with
the herbicides referred to as Agent Orange.


The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as
hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson's disease; and ischemic heart disease."

Although the vets have been fighting for these benefits for many years, so it really can't be called "fast" but Congratulations anyway!
Full article at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/press...09+PRN20091013

Hi BUZZZ - -

I know that your thread is a couple years old now, but hope that you see this. I was service connected for AO for chloracne nearly 20 years ago through the persistent efforts of the veterans service officer that I had at the time (now deceased) who was very good at making the VA system work for the veterans he represented. My disibility rating at the time was minimal, but at least I was "in the books."

In 2006 I was diagnosed with PD, and in the initial consultation with my neurologist at UTSW in Dallas, I asked if there waas any known relation between PD and AO. He replied "No', or at least "not yet."

Last spring (2010) I applied for service connection due to the VAs presumptive relationshio between AO and PD. It took nine months, but I am now service connected for PD (40%) with back disibility pay to the date of filing.

While the VA system is far from perfect, I've always been a firm believer that it CAN work for veterans IF we can figure the system out. And that's where a good veterans service officer comes in. If anyone's having problems with the VA and your VSO hasn't been able to help, find a new one who can.

Brad

Hello, and I am sorry you were exposed to agent orange. so much of what happened over there was kept from the public at the time. I also wish that you had received the proper respect for your service to our country. I want to thank you for that service. My son was Navy, another stationed in Africa someplace. I have no doubt that agent orange could be responsible for a host of problems. Mayo clinic, and University Mecial Center at Columbic Mo. have libraries you can access. My neighbor had parkensons, so I know wht you are going through. I hope an answer can be found. Again thank you for what you did during a difficult time in history. ginnie