Agent Orange Update

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing to examine the reasons and evidence used to add these three conditions to the list of presumptive diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.

(GARDEN GROVE, Calif.) - The President signed the War Supplemental yesterday. In that bill is the $13.4 billion in funding for the three newly designated presumptive diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.

What does this mean for veterans who have already filed and those waiting to file on these conditions? The money is now in place and the authorization to spend it needs to be completed. The House overwhelmingly passed the VA/Military Construction Authorization bill earlier this week and now the Senate must do the same. The House version authorizes the money for these new conditions.

All of this is fine and shows progress, but the main roadblock now is the 60 day hold placed on spending any of the money by Sen. Webb (D-VA) who wishes to take a look at the science and reasons behind the decision to connect these three potentially very expensive, new conditions to service in Vietnam.

On September 23, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing to examine the reasons and evidence used by Secretary Shinseki to add these three conditions to the list of presumptive diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.

Reports have been made that the VA may publish the final rules as early as next week. This could, repeat, could mean that the VA might be able to start paying for these three diseases sometime in October, shortly after the September hearing. The payments would be retroactive to the date of the original claim or death of veteran if survivors are filing the claim.

Veterans-For-Change will continue to monitor closely the situation and report any new developments and we strongly urge you to call your Senators and Congressman toll free at 866-272-6622 and politely insist they support Secretary Shinseki’s decision and allow the rule to be finalized immediately.

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stan June 9, 2012 12:24 am (Pacific time)

i have been denied for yrs on it all...and all of a sudden i have everything i was denied on...but still fighting for 100% the DAV helped me get 60% but there math is only 50% so i finally got a lawyer tired of deny, deny and hope you die....so i will let you know my outcome...you need to get the DAV to help you get started

Robert Erhard Sr. April 29, 2012 11:50 am (Pacific time)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is sitting 0n The International Organization of Medicine > IOM REPORT minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012 (yes, that's minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012).The DVA does not conform to THE IOM REPORT( 3 Jan. 2012). The DVA does not honor Civilian Doctors and Civilian Hospitals evidence/information that "THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING"...the blood sausage that agent orange made of my body over the last 43 years.I have the Vietnam Service Medal (with three bronze stars); the Vietnam Campaign Medal (at least 6 months contiguous Vietnam); And, THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON. The DVA was given a copy of one hospital's report... that in 2001, my past and present illnesses was presumed to be due to "TOXIC EXPOSURE". Another hospital's report made the Diagnosis: "CHEMICAL EXPOSURE". March 10, 2012...The DVA denied my claim for exposure to agent orange because: SERVICE treatment RECORDS do not contain Complaints,Treatment,or Diagnosis. THE DECISION is "A false TRUTH" : IT can take 20 to 40 years for symptoms and/or illnesses to surface...after exposed to agent orange. The DVA DECISION does not conform to THE IOM REPORT (3 Jan. 2012)and logic that... The USS Newport News CA-148... The Most Extensive Firing of Any Naval Ship in the Vietnam Conflict...was exposed to the worst of situations, conditions,and atmosphere...exposed to agent orange ...including drinking water. The DVA does not conform to The 112th Congress Bills...2011-2012...AGENT ORANGE EQUITY ACT...H.R.812 includes The Blue Water Navy...and more; S.1629 provides for compensation and health care; H.R.3612 amends Title 38; And,the CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT of December 8,2011...ties it all together...and gives The Department of Veterans Affairs a severe warning: Congress has the Power TO ENACT this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 > The Congress shall have power * * * To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the forergoing Powers, and all other Powers...VESTED...by the Constitution of the United States, or in ...ANY...Department or Officer thereof. It's time "TO FIRE"...Doctor "FOOT ON GROUND" and Doctor "BOOT ON GROUND" for medical malpractice. All along, THE "PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING".Likewise, don't forget, Dr. "FOOT ON GROUND" and Dr. "BOOT ON GROUND" willfully defied...VESTED... legislation...made by Congress...that does not require The Department of Veterans Affairs Approval or President Obama's signature. It appears that US suffering Veterans must file criminal charges against Departments within the DVA and it's Officers. The DVA does not conform to THE IOM REPORT 3 Jan. 2012. The DVA does not honor "THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING".The DVA does not honor...vested legislation...by Congress. The DVA tells the Vietnam Veteran that their claims will be delayed due to Gulf War,Pakistan,and Afganistan Veterans filing. Now,the word is tha... agent orange is being considered to be used around food supplies like raising corn. I guess the rich and powerful are looking to keep people from living longer...as one of many ways...to help curb the world's problem of overpopulation. Thento, it appears the DVA has written US suffering Veterans off...as being insignicant...creates the worst form of PTSD...reality.

joe m May 9, 2011 2:24 pm (Pacific time)

the comments are right on. the government does not care about the vietnam vet.

RBarker January 29, 2011 4:05 pm (Pacific time)

Finally, I filed my claim for ischemic heart disease in April 2010..I have had a 4 way bypass and another heart attack 3 years ago when they implanted a stent..Just got a notice yesterday for the VA that they considered me 60% and deposited the back pay into my account.A happy day for sure.

Editor: We like good news around here, thanks for reporting in, good for staying on them!

E 3 January 6, 2011 2:18 pm (Pacific time)

I have had three acid wash arms neck face,i have other problems from a/o iam 100% dis vet, i need to be heard,3/4marines 69/70 dong ha/and north

Editor: Hey Lance Corporal, you can always write to our newsroom and we will help direct you if we can toward the right ideas. Our core group are former Marines, Semper Fi; you can write to me at tim@salem-news.com. Thanks for writing.

Tim King

jimmymishoe November 24, 2010 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

the gov lied to us mine came in early oct all paperwork turned in they even called me wanting more info i give them all now they said nov first gov in washington lies will not keep promise we need better lobbist for vets to fight every day for veterans send about 500 thousand to wake washingtons ass up for us and our military today

S G5/1 October 31, 2010 8:45 am (Pacific time)

You know brothers, it seems to me that we are the throw away worriors. The todays worriors are given more and treated far better treatment than we were. Hell they come home and are very welcomed back, they gives them special treatment. I guess we are that part of the military worriors that's not welcome back home. Hell this is our home as well. It was 32 years before I could get any help from the V.A.. I'm just one of the many that are asking, why? and when? The political then and political now. I am but one of the of many Viet-Nam VETS, that is yelling what the F*C*K.

R.E.L. Rivers September 9, 2010 11:16 am (Pacific time)

Just one more way the liberals have to deny the Viet Nam Vet. Aren't you used to it by now?

Editor: 'Liberals' is not a term you seem to even understand, why don't you elaborate? Do you deny that the US lost its ass in Vietnam? I don't deny that. Do I see the warmongers who saddled our men with a faulty M-16 as 'liberals'? No way. Now granted, Nixon may have had more liberal policies than almost any other contemporary president, but that is another point. He was also a terrible liar along with Kissinger; check his party status will ya?

R.E.L. Rivers September 9, 2010 11:15 am (Pacific time)

Just one more way the liberals have to deny the Viet Nam Vet. Aren't you used to it by now?

Editor: Liberals have nothing to do with Monsanto and AO.

SGT SIP August 30, 2010 6:33 am (Pacific time)

sen webb was quick to give funds to his wifes native country for agent orange.maybe he should practice polatics there.

j. batson August 28, 2010 9:03 am (Pacific time)

just wonder how come not approved yet ischemic heart disease linked in 2006. I applied then after carreer ended by bypass & stints & was denied. I understand to be back dated?

R Marsh August 24, 2010 6:56 pm (Pacific time)

Just how can a Man that served in a Combat capacity forget where he came from, and what his fellow Soldiers have been through. Get ready to stand in the unemployement line come November.

L/4/12 Marines August 18, 2010 8:59 pm (Pacific time)

G 2/3 has it right the longer they wait the more will die. You know webb and the kind of officer he was and still is. Would really like to talk to someone that served with him. See how he got all those medals and who really paid for them. True Vets Semper Fi

Shoterq August 16, 2010 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

This us unbelieveable!! A Vet-turned-Senator...kicking his Comrades in the face! I hope the Virginia voters remember this come November!

greg August 15, 2010 9:05 pm (Pacific time)

Its like a spy-when someone turns their back on their country, traitor. It doesnt matter they all feel they have done it for the good of someone. In this case it cannot be his country so it must be lots of donations from lobbyists. This dude would not be protectiong my back in a dark alley and if he asked me to protect his I would spit in his face.

robert hunt August 11, 2010 1:32 pm (Pacific time)

I believe sen. webb should be voted out of office in nov. thats the way to treat back stabbing vets who fill there pockets for therself and the hell with his brtherhood of vets

G 2/3; August 8, 2010 3:04 am (Pacific time)

No.,the theory is if they continue "studying" indefinately those that survived will be dead and those affected will be forgotten.,written off as collateral f*cking damage. Mr. Webb, what's the matter with you? Your once highly respectd position is on a thin line and you can make the difference. Maybe I'm wrong to suspect the senator but we'd like to hear it from you personally. Semper Fi.

C Pars August 2, 2010 11:41 am (Pacific time)

Isn't 45 years long enough to do their studies?

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