Agent Orange Exposure

[Phillip Fields]

I just recently learned that during the Viet Nam war I was exposed to Agent Orange. I had always known that those that served in-country were exposed. Agent Orange was also sprayed around the perimeters of the Royal Thai Air Force bases where US Airforce members served. Servicemen that had duties on or near the perimeters were exposed to AO. From Dec '66 to Dec '67 I served as an aircraft weapons specialist at Udorn RTAFB. Our flightline was near the perimeter. Also, our arm/dearm area was at the end of the runway, very near the perimeter. I was in the exposure area almost on a daily basis.

AO was also used in the DMZ zone in Korea in that time period. Also possibly effected were the air crews on the C-123, as many of these planes were contaminated.

[brokeno]

Yep. Had a cousin that fought in nam that died from ao in his late 30s.

[Stan R]

I would get with a VA rep and file a claim. In TEXAS most counties have VA Rep's.

[Froggy]

Be sure and file for compensation with the VA if you ever develop any of the presumptive conditions.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/03/26/va-announce-decision-new-agent-orange-presumptive-conditions.html

Heart disease was added to the list about 10 years ago. I had two stents put in in 2005 and have an 80% disability rating.

https://www.stripes.com/new-legislation-would-recognize-nine-more-diseases-caused-by-agent-orange-1.577351

[txoutdoorsman24]

My grandfather was exposed also. He's been told numerous times, that his illnesses are from the exposure. Def was some bad stuff.

[Froggy]

I often wondered why there wasn't even one blade of grass on the Fire Support Bases.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Yep. Had a cousin that fought in nam that died from ao in his late 30s.

Yep, me too... My cousin was 36 or 37 and he looked older than his dad at 60 when he died, but he served 7 or 8 tours in Nam... Said he liked it better there than here at the time... He weren't the brightest bulb on the family tree tho either...

[AZST_bowhunter]

get into the VA, it will take a while to go through processing with them so I would get it started ASAP..

[splitfinger]

I served in "Nam in 70/71 and developed High Blood Pressure, High Bad Cholesterol, Tinnitus, Diabetic all from Agent Orange exposure. Back in 2007 I went to the VA just to get an ID card for discounts at Lowes and when the VA looked at my DD214 they said I would receive benefits. Long road but the short version is that I am 90% disabled with a multitude of issues, all related to Agent Orange.

Best of luck to you.


Doug Key

[Bayouboy]

Coworker that retired a few years back receives monthly govt. compensation for it.

[KRB]

My stepdad was in nam and exposed . he gets 600 plus a month for being exposed .

[Bayouboy]

My stepdad was in nam and exposed . he gets 600 plus a month for being exposed .

Pretty certain the person I mentioned receives something in the $600 range also.

[coachk]

My father-in-law died of lung cancer that spread to his brain 2 years ago. His cancer was attributed to Agent orange from his service during Vietnam after his death. His wife now gets a check from the govt as compensation for his health complications of being exposed

[Landrover]

Wow.....I am literally doing a "notice of disagremment" to the VA now. I'm taking a break and saw this thread!!![emoji33] My dad served in Korea and Vietnam in the USAF during war times. His job was to repair communications equip all over the war zones....base to base. At DaNang Airbase his shop was next to the storage yard for barrels of agent orange!!! He was given a whopping 10% rating for tinnitus. He is dang near deaf. [emoji2962] He started dialysis last week due to non-diabetes associated kidney failure. He was diagnosed with severe thyroid issues before he retired and takes medicine daily. PTSD issues as he sleeps fitful most nights and claims to hear things and people. High blood pressure medication, and cholesterol medication for decades. Not to forget, he was diagnosed with hepatitis about 20 years ago. But only.....10% disability!!!![emoji102] VA and DAV have been involved since the beginning of this process of nearly 3 years.....what a joke!!! I am open to hiring folks that specialize in this process or even retaining a lawyer. Even guys that served far less than 22 years are shocked to learn that my dad is constantly refused the benefits. Any insight would greatly be appreciated from TBHers in the know.

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[drwilliams]

My father was in DaNang 70-71 as a door gunner. I have told him for the last 15 years he needed to go to the VA just to see what they say. He always told me he didnt want anything from the Government or anyone. He ain't ever been a man to get hand outside. I told him you fought for it and deserve it. He doesn't see it that way. Just had 2 stints up in and a triple bypass all within the last 2 years. Has some small skin cancer spots show up he gets burned off. I bet must of that is from agent orange also.

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