Ā 1. Ā FAQ
a. Ā Frequently Asked Questions – Vietnam
2. Ā Legislation
a. Ā Important Legislation: Ā Although this legislation became law, V.A. Secretary has not been implemented by V.A. Secretary to date. PASSED SIGNED INTO LAW, Toxic Exposure Research Act 2015Ā āThis legislation, a necessary first step, has been a top priority for VVA,ā noted Rowan. āIt will lay the groundwork for the research we need on the health of our children and grandchildren, whom we believe have been impacted by exposures during our military service–and in keeping with our founding principle, āNever again will one generation of veterans abandon another,ā this legislation will ensure that our newer veterans will not have to wait 50 years for answers.ā
b. Ā Other Important Legislation affecting veterans and their families
3. Ā Facebook Groups
a. Ā Agent Orange Living with Agent Orange: Ā A support group for families of veterans exposed to Agent Orange and the veteran.
b. Ā Agent Orange Legacy – Chiari:Ā We have changed the name of this group to: Agent Orange Stole My Lifeā¢ so our members can discuss all their health problems related to their veteran parent(s) exposure to Agent Orange.
Chiari Malformation affects a large number of adult children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It is our intent to gather details from as many adult children as we can. Ā Ā We will then petition the VA to recognize Chiari as a qualifying birth defect associated with Veterans’ qualifying service in Vietnam or Korea.
c. Ā Toxic Military Exposures Our Health: Ā The purpose of this group is to begin to gather information from the wives, widows, partners and mothers of the children of veterans lost to Agent Orange and other toxic military exposures.
4. Ā Veteran Descendants Health Regisitries: Ā The only National birth defect registry in the United States. This registry is sponsored by Birth Defect Research for Children. It has two special sections that collect data on military exposures in Vietnam and during the Gulf War. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers two rare disease patient registries
5. Ā Resources
6. Ā Birth Defect Research for Children: Ā National Birth Defect Registry
a. Ā Register now: Ā Important Message to Children of Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
b. Ā BDRC Children Center Petition: Ā Sign the PetitionĀ
c. Ā Agent Orange Birth Defects by Betty Mekdecki, Direction of Birth Defect Research for Children
7. Ā Veterans’ Claims and Appeals
a. Ā Important Message to Children of Vets Exposed to Agent Orange: Ā File Form 21-0304
b. Ā Agent Orange Legacy ā ChiariĀ Two (2) biological children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange Ā have been approved forĀ Entitlement to a monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. Ā§ 1805, because it was found that, in both appeals, Chiari is a form and manifestation of spina bifida.
8. Ā Veteran’s Records
9. Ā Agent Orange Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial – AOVVMĀ
a. Ā AOVVM on facebookĀ an online memorialĀ honoring the lives of our veteranās and their children lost to Agent Orange.
b. Ā To add your veteran or the veteranās child lost to Agent Orange, just click on the link below for the veteran or the veteranās child:
(1) Ā Add your veteran here
(2) Ā Add the veteranās child here
10. Ā Faces of Agent Orange: Ā An Agent Orange education campaign; a project of Vietnam Veterans of America
a. Ā Town Hall Meeting Schedule
b. Ā Has Your Child or Grandchildās Health Been Affected by Your Military Service?
11. Ā Medical Research
a. Ā Study Links Autism to Epigenetic Changes in Dad’s Sperm: Ā Findings suggest that fathers’ exposure to environmental hazards may alter gene activity in ways that predispose children to autism.
b. Ā Woman Links Cancer to Fathers’ Exposure to Agent Orange
c. Ā Are you a Vietnam Veteran? Ā Help Us Investigate the Impact of Agent Orange
d.Ā Pediatric Chiari Malformations
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā e.Ā Chiari Malformation Type 1 in Children
f. Ā NIH Scientists Uncover Genetic Explanation for Frustrating Syndrome
g. Ā Reports link Agent Orange exposure and birth defects
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā h.Ā How to Quickly and Easily Find Mutated Sperm?
i.Ā Toxic Chemicals Threaten Humanity’s Ability to Reproduce
My father died in 1994. He served in veitnam. He recieved a payment of 600$ in the early 90’s. I have a sister from his first wife. I was born with a undecended testicle. I have pain in my testicle, and I’ve had issues like my testicles swelling, and running fever. I have diabetes 2. They only recognize undecended testicle if the parent is a female veteran. I believe in my heart that my mother was affected by agent orange just by being in contact with my father. She died in 2011 of cancer. It was in her bottom area and lipnods. My father was popular, played sports, and described as loving and caring prior to going to veitnam. His first wife said that he went to veitnam, she said, she didn’t know who it was that came back, because it wasn’t him. I loved him, I know he suffered from schizophrenia, he was an alcoholic. He was dead for a couple weeks before his body was discovered. His body was in bad shape. They ruled it clogged arteries. I believe another cause. He had taken the mattress from his bed and put it in the living room, and there were pictures of my sisters and me around the bed. We had to have a closed casket. Watching the 21 gun salute made me feel proud, and they presented me with his flag. He was very abusive to my mother. It started to spill over onto me, because I would try to stop him from hurting her. When I look in the mirror I see him. I inherited his self destructive nature and a digital picture of him in veitnam. I know the things that happened there made him the way he was, and I know agent orange is responsible for a lot of it. We are still fighting the conflict today. All of his brothers are veterans, both of my grand fathers. I tried to enlist, but my weight was an issue. I also had a rare tumor removed in 2013 called a thyroidial duct cyst from my neck area. The doctor said it is only the 2nd case that has been removed in mississippi. I have mental issues I believe can be traced to agent orange. I have children, his grand children. Who’s lives are in a desperate situation. A son in prison, daughter who was healthy and exceptionally smart, who is now, in a state of mental brake down, you can see it in her face, and she isn’t the same person. I’ve only seen her daughter one time, the father took her and ran off, and he was very abusive. Another daughter who is in jail and spiraling in a fast decent. Who has a son. My family served on both sides. I spent my teenage years institutionalized because my parents were suffering from mental issues, no doubt can be contributed to the things that occurred and the agent orange. I feel like we have been left behind. People look at my family and don’t see the patriots that served America, they see a bunch of brokenness and liability. It don’t take a genius to see the children of male veterans were affected like the children of female veterans who served. I’m thankful for the people fighting to get them to acknowledge what is the truth. I’m older than my father was when he died. I read my fathers journals. The events in veitnam followed him back home. He could smell things I won’t say in this plea and attempt to have a voice, he could see the enemy coming. He lived a nightmare everyday. I’m homeless, and my children are scattered and I have no resources to even try and help any of them. I think about giving up a lot. I believe in God. Well thank you for hearing me. God bless you all and God bless the U.S.A.!
Hi John, I very sorry for loss of your father and to hear all the illness and hardship you and your family are going through. A lot of the families have similar circumstances and so did my family. We have a restricted group on facebook you are welcome to join. Just be sure to answer the questions. Here is the link>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/aolivingwithagentorange/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWH7l5RkrQI8Qh39QKwjOdEU3B54hgnLkscFFmRIbI2k5HK2MUB74HpJqqQdKhoIouIxhGw1X0wQcGzwejJhOSH-6_WX4g5uF2FHbQgFqf4eTmIIu8uumiXoVnD3Ypq5T9XaAh2BRc20sostnQmoSF6Af6178KunriMHKd7ce1IAA&__tn__=-UK-R
my son has had skin problems since a child and now at 43 has a terrible case of psorisis and we are hoping that Skyrizi will help my husband was a helicopter door gunner and flew thru agent orange many times could my son’s problems come from that?
Hi Sue, Yes, I believe it is caused by your husband’s exposure to Agent Orange. We can’t prove it but I hope one day it will be recognized by the VA.
my hubsand was a vetnam vet spent in vietnam 65 and 66 died of ao in 2013 our son has dicabtic high blood prssure his son aniexty and aspergers .
My father Raymond T. Leet Sr. Passed away from prostate cancer Agent Orange in December of 2008. He served in Vietnam 3 terms as a sergeant I was born March 29th 1970, I have asthma allergies & headaches, depression, usually I only feel good one day a week. Please help me. I would love to enjoy my first grand child due in October
Lori Voisine
Hi Lori, I am sorry for your loss. I have a link with info you should find helpful>>>https://lovme.org/important-links-for-children-of-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange/. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact me at aolegacy@gmail.com
Hi. My youngest daughter was diagnosed after a seizure in October “18 with a brain tumor that was cancer. slow growing 30+years. She had radiation and is doing chemo.She is 46 and I believe her cancer is due to Agent Orange. I have documentation to send to VA Any other places to send it?
Hi Oneida, I am so sorry to hear about your youngest daughter and for the delay in responding. You should contact Mokie Porter at Vietnam Veterans of America. She is the Director of communications. You should most definitely contact Betty Mekdeci, Director of Birth Defect Research for Children. You can find her contact info on her website http://www.birthdefects.org. Maybe consider sending to your Senator. If you have any further questions contact me at aolegacy@gmail.com
So sorry for delayed response. You can find information at this link>>>https://lovme.org/important-links-for-children-of-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange/. Try this link for the helpless child program>>>https://lovme.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/144142855-Helpless-Child-Program-ch07-1.pdf
Hi! I am the middle child of 3 children of a Vietnam Veteran affected by Agent Orange. It will be 6 years on Christmas I had a stroke and I’m determined to get better. My father is currently in the hospital at the VA. Drs don’t want to say everything my father has is due to Agent Orange. He is in need of a liver transplant but may be too sick to even try it. Drs told my mother what my father has is no way of getting better. We just need to let it take its course. So, in other words, we just dit back and watch my father die! That’s what Drs at VA are saying. And what about me? I’m struggling. I’m disabled with a numerous amount of other health problems I have. And knowing my sons may be affected by this illness. Which our own government did to Us! And they still refuse to acknowledge it and do something about it. Help US!!!
So sorry for delayed response. I am sorry for your loss. I understand having lost my husband to his service (Agent Orange, HEP C, PTSD). My children also are ill and affected as are my grandchildren. Here is a link that will answer many of your questions>>>https://lovme.org/important-links-for-children-of-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange/
Is there I being done for children with multiple auto immune diseases ?
Read the links…
I am a daughter of a Marine corps Vietnam veteran. I suffer with pain every day. Somedays can’t get out if bed. Have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. Found out in Sept that my spine and messed up. I have no curve in my neck and my vertebrae are messed up. Some are to far spaced and some have no space at all. Not counting muscle spasms. And now I have to go back for another mammogram this month because of finding 3 lumps on my lymphnode on my right side. I’m only been 43 for 8 days and I feel like I’m 143 somedays. If anyone has any info to be able to direct me in a way of getting help and more information I would greatly appreciate it. God bless you all.
So sorry for delayed response. Yes read the links. All the info you need is there.
I lost my father in 2016. He had ischemic heart disease, diabetes and pancreatic cancer. I am his first born after he came back from Vietnam. I am 46 and have several health issues. My government took my father from me and I am angry about that and for what the future holds for my siblings and my children. We just need to keep fighting until someone listens.
So sorry for delayed response. I am sorry for your loss.
My husband has lots of health issues due to Agent Orange. Prostate cancer, diabetes, and has had a stroke! Our daughter was born 16 months after his return from Vietnam and she has had health issues her entire life. And all three of her children have some sort of issues. My husband has always felt their issues are related to his being exposed to the Agent Orange. Once when our daughter was in the hospital and i told the Dr about the problems with my husband, he said,ā What does that have to do with your daughter? She wasnāt in Vietnam!ā He was so disrespectful!!
Hello my father had Agent Orange And passed away in 2016. He had kidney disease and blood disorders to were he would get boils and have them cut out. Well as i got older i started getting the same and my lower legs the blood veins start to die off just as my fathers did. I have to see a cardiologist due to it and doctor after doctors. I cant keep affording this and i have been denied disability 4 times.
So sorry for delayed response. I am sorry for your loss. The most information we have is at this post. Make sure you read the info provided to get answers to your questions.
How would we go about proving agent orange exposure? My father did 3 tours in Vietnam and is very certain he was exposed. We believe this contributed to the death of his first son prior to marrying our mother and all 6 of the children he has with our mother have symptoms or disorders that can be found on the list of disorders associated with exposure. Most of us have hypothyroidism, diabetes and major fertility issues all of which have deeply affected our lives. Our local VA has maintained they have no way of accessing his records to prove exposure and thus we are at a loss. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
So sorry for delayed response. One of the biggest issues is there are no valid studies. At least this is what I hear over and over again. Legislation was passed which was supposed required these studies but nothing has happened yet. Here is a link where you can find info that is helpful and answers for some of your questions>>>https://lovme.org/important-links-for-children-of-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange/
Katelyn Abbott-Marsh. If you have your father’s DD214 take it to your Senator’s office – along with your father if possible. He will need to sign a release of info for the Senator and give them a COPY of the DD214 – fill out a complaint that you can’t get his medical records and let them go to work. You will get the medical records. His DD214 will show areas he was in and a map shows the spray areas. Don’t let the VA bluff you out.
I’m trying to find information for those with father’s who were in the Korean War.
So sorry for delayed response. This is all we have on the Korean war at this time>>>https://lovme.org/korean-war-exposures-asbestos/
I believe my sister, who passed away in 2011, was never diagnosed with Prader Willi Syndrome. My father is a Vietnam Veteran who was exposed to agent orange. He served from 1969-70. I just discovered this disease through a video by chanceā¦I am convinced this is what was wrong with my sister, after much research and deliberation. I have no idea where to start or whom I should contact on this matter. My father is registered with the VA in KY where he lives. He now has survived cancer twice, treated through the VA Hospital he is registered with, and had dementia and alzheimerās. Please help. Having this information is not only crucial to my family, but the continued research of this disease, as well as many others associated (recognized or not), with agent orange is crucial to the well being and health of not only myself, but my three daughters as well. Thank you.
So sorry for delayed response and very sorry for your loss. You can email me at aolegacy@gmail.com
This isn’t fair! My dad is a living Vietnam Veteran and I just recently lost my 15 year old son because he was affected by agent orange. Agent Orange has been passed down to the grandchildren and no one will do anything to help!
Hi Terri, Thank you for your comment. I’m so very sorry for the loss of your son. We offer a closed support group on facebook for the families of veterans exposed to Agent Orange and the veteran. You are welcome to join us at this link>>>https://www.facebook.com/groups/aolivingwithagentorange/. If you look over the post you commented on you will find some helpful information. There is information on legislation that was just passed and signed into law.