Legacy of Our Veterans' Military Exposures
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FAQs – Agent Orange

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FAQs AGENT ORANGE
  • 1) Iā€™m sick, in pain and suffering; what can I do?

    We are very sorry to hear that you sick, in pain and suffering. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to print out our Physicians Resource 2013 and bring it to your doctor. If your doctor will not acknowledge that you are ill due to your veteran parent(s) service; then find a doctor who will.

    Make a List of your Symptoms/Do Your Own Research: Most of our families have to do their own research to find answers. First thing you should do is make a list of your symptoms and begin your own research.

    Visit our Reported Illness List: To begin your research visit our Reported Illness List and become familiar with the different kinds of birth defects, cancers, autoimmune and rare diseases your peers have reported to us.

    High Incidence of Autoimmune and Rare Disease Among Children of Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange: We have found that there is a high incidence of autoimmune and rare diseases among the children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. As a result we recommend that you visit NORD Rare Disease Database to continue your research.

    Routine Blood Tests do not Detect Autoimmune Disease: We have also learned that routine blood tests performed by your doctor annually will not detect autoimmune disease. You must test for the autoimmune disease in question if a blood test is available. Autoimmune diseases can also be difficult to diagnose because their symptoms can mimic many different kinds of other illnesses.

    Rare Disease Difficult to Diagnose: Rare diseases are difficult to diagnose because so few people have them that doctors are unfamiliar with their symptoms. This is why so many of us end up doing our own research.

    Children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange are at Risk: Our research indicates that the children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange are at a much higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and many forms of cancer than the average American and at a much younger age.

    Children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange are at Risk of Possible Organ Failure: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) states that there is untold suffering of persons with autoimmune diseases due to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis which may result in damage to vital organs.
  • 2) Iā€™ve struggled with unexplained medical problems my whole life and I donā€™t know what to do; I would like more information.

    Our research indicates that the children are at a much higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or many forms of cancer than the average American and at a much younger age. The adult children and their children etc. are also at risk of suffering possible organ damage since there appears to be a high number of autoimmune diseases among the children of Vietnam veterans who have provided their health information to us.

    The American Autoimmune Related Disease Association (AARDA) states that there is untold suffering of persons with autoimmune diseases due to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis which may result in damage to vital organs

    Our research also shows that many of the children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange suffer from rare diseases. Some rare diseases are also autoimmune diseases which makes diagnosis much more difficult. This leads to extended delayed diagnosis which is one of the causes of possible vital organ damage.

    If you believe you are ill then you should visit the following links to begin your research:

    Click Here for LOVME Reported Illness List

    Click Here to Register Now at Birth Defect Registry

    Here for Rare Disease Database
  • 3) Is there any genetic testing for Agent Orange dependents?

    Generational victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure were not exposed first hand or directly so getting a body burden test would not be helpful. Even those who were exposed initially did not show any dioxin in their blood. The reason is that as time passes dioxin is eventually stored in the body fat.

    However, some children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, who provided us with health information, have had genetic testing because they were diagnosed with a rare disease or a unexplained disease. The cases we are familiar with have all found a mutated gene. Mutated genes can be linked to chemical exposure.

    Testing of this type is available but very expensive. There arenā€™t any programs or funding that we are aware of either. The usual process is as described above.

    Our research tells us that body burden testing is the least expensive way to find out how much dioxin you might have been exposed to. If you werenā€™t exposed yourself then ā€œBody Burdenā€ testing will not be helpful to you. If you have lived in Vietnam you might benefit from such a test or if you have been exposed directly yourself.
  • 4) My veteran parent passed away how do I get his/her records?

    Please visit this LINK for instructions
  • 5) Are there any benefits available?

    At this time the only birth defect in the children of male Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange recognized by the VA is Spina Bifida (not occulta). There are many more birth defects recognized in the children of women Vietnam veterans.

    The only other benefit available to the dependent of a service-connected veteran is the Helpless Child Program Ch.07-1. (PDF)
  • 6) How do I know if Agent Orange caused my birth defect(s) or illness(es)?

    You donā€™t and neither do we, however. We believe that your veteran parent(s) exposure to Agent Orange caused your birth defect and/or illness. There are many organizations and groups working to prove it, scientifically.

    The only birth defect linked to Agent Orange exposure in the children of male Vietnam veterans and recognized by the VA is Spina Bifida (not occulta).

    Many more birth defects have been recognized in the children of women Vietnam veterans. Birth defects in the children of women Vietnam veterans have not been linked to exposure to Agent Orange.

    One of the things you can do to help is register with Birth Defect Research for Children National Birth Defect Registry. If you are the child of a Vietnam veteran and your child is ill register your child with the above registry.

    Birth Defect Research for children is spearheading a to build a Childrenā€™s Center to provide specific medical treatment to Vietnam Veteransā€™ children that are in dire need of specific medical treatment related to Agent Orange exposure.

    Please read this blog post: IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS: File Form 21-0304 We believe that your veteran parent(s) exposure to Agent Orange caused your birth defect and/or illness.

    *See important links at end of this page below.
  • 7) Where can I get treatment?

    Currently there isnā€™t any one place the children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange can get treatment. We do have a LIST OF DOCTORS who have helped Vietnam veterans. However, there is no way to know if they will also help the children since many doctors do not believe the children have been effected by their veteran parent(s) exposure to Agent Orange.

    What is important is if you can find a doctor that will accept research that you do yourself, as well as any information you may find from our website or other similar groups; see Physicians Resource 2013.

    There is a PETITION being circulated by Birth Defect Research for Children (BDRC). Betty Mekdeci, Director of BDRC is spearheaded the petition to build a Childrenā€™s Center to provide specific medical treatment related to Agent Orange exposure.

    Vietnam Veterans of America is also working on legislation for the childrenā€™s center.
  • 8) Can grandchildren of Vietnam veterans can be effected?

    Yes, we believe that the grandchildren also suffer as a result of the grandparent(s) exposure to Agent Orange. We have heard reports that there is a high incidence of Autism among the grandchildren of Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. However, our research did not reveal this finding. See Reported Illnesses.
  • 9) I am sick what will the VA do for me?

    As far as we know the VA will not treat the children or successive generations of Vietnam veterans at their facilities. There is a chance if you call that they might advise you. VA hospitals and clinics only treat veterans. Vet Centers do provide counseling for the families of veterans. Find a Vet Center in your state.
  • 10) My dad was in Vietnam and is a service-connected disabled veteran; how can I get help through my fatherā€™s claim with the VA?

    There are a number of benefits for the dependents of service-connected disabled veterans. Among these are education benefits. There also may be additional benefits at the state level.

    There also is a Helpless Child Program Ch.07-1. The disabled veteran may also be eligible to receive additional funds for any dependent children.

    Minors of a deceased disabled veteran are eligible to receive Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  • 11) Iā€™m a Vietnam veteran and the VA turned down my claim for benefits; is there any help for my child?

  • 12) Will Agent Orange keep going from generation to generation?

    See question eight (8) for answer.
  • 13) Iā€™m told thereā€™s an organization ā€œOrder of the Silver Roseā€ listing veterans who died from Agent Orange caused illnesses with the goal of getting them acknowledged as Viet Nam casualties. Know anything about it?

    Yes there is an organization called the ā€œOrder of the Silver Roseā€. All reports suggest that they are no longer issuing medallions and are closed.

    The Legion of the Silver Rose is carrying on this work LEARN MORE.

    There are several programs honoring Vietnam veterans lost to Agent Orange

    1) Agent Orange Vietnam Veterans Memorial on facebook

    2) Agent Orange Quilt of Tears

    3) In Memory Program
  • 14) I am sick and someone told me there might have been military exposures at that base where I was stationed; where can I find information on this?

    There are several veterans and veterans group that are very knowledgeable about Agent Orange and the different locations it was stored.

    Here are some recommended links for you can check out:
    Agent Orange Okinawa

    Agent Orange Awareness & Info Yahoo Group

    Agent Orange Guam

    There is a group of veterans who served on Guam and were exposed to Agent Orange. They have some information that you will find helpful or could provide additional evidence for a claim.

    Contact Information for Agent Orange Guam:

    -Ralph Stanton: rstanton@stjoelive.com

    -Master Sargent Foster: retairforceman@aol.com

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT MILITARY BASES ON EPA SUPERFUND SITES LIST

    Note: We donā€™t know if this includes bases worldwide or not.
  • 15) I am a vet dealing with the VA where can I find research about Agent Orange related illnesses?

    There is a group on Yahoo which has many seasoned veterans who have information and experience with claims.

    Visit Agent Orange Guam

    There is a group of veterans who were at Guam and exposed to Agent Orange. They might have some information you might find helpful or could provide additional evidence.

    Contact Information for Agent Orange Guam:

    -Ralph Stanton: rstanton@stjoelive.com

    -Master Sargent Foster: retairforceman@aol.com
  • 16) Iā€™m doing research on Agent Orange for veteranā€™s benefits, where do I start?

  • 17) I am doing research for a Agent Orange Research for Students, Can you help me?

    We already have interview questions from one of the students that contacted us. Click on Agent Orange Research for Students for the questions and our responses>>>coming soon
  • Important Web Links

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