VA increases Agent Orange illness presumptions list

By DEBORAH A. MILES
If you are a Vietnam War veteran and were exposed to the herbicide defoliant known as Agent Orange, you may be entitled to benefits.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) increased the number of illnesses in October 2009 that are now presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange.

PEF Veterans Committee Chair Richard Fletcher said the addition of hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease raises the total number of “presumed” service-connected illnesses to 15.

“The committee is concerned about PEF members who are not claiming benefits they are entitled to receive,” Fletcher said. “Benefits change constantly. Many Vietnam era guys qualify for benefits, but are not taking advantage of them.”

PEF retiree Robert Harms, a member of the committee, said he knows first-hand how the system can fail to inform all the veterans.

“One of my pet peeves is not enough information has been released to all the veterans who may have been affected by Agent Orange. A-year-and- a-half ago, I found out by accident I was entitled to a disability benefit that could have started in 1992,” Harms said.

“If you have never been to the VA or never revealed you had one of the listed diseases, they don’t have you on the list to receive information updates. I bet thousands of guys with Type 2 diabetes and who were in Vietnam aren’t getting anything for it, because they don’t know the benefit is available.”

Fletcher said the committee is working to create a statewide information network among PEF members who are veterans. It plans to set up more regional meetings and disseminate information through PEF’s regional coordinators and regional committees.

“To be informed, you must be involved,” Fletcher said. “Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. You really don’t need to wear the hat and go to the meetings to get mailings and valuable updates about available benefits.”

For a list of the 15 service-connected illnesses the VA considers linked to Agent Orange, and for other benefit information, go to www.vba.va.gov/.