Washington (Vocus) October 15, 2009
Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with 3 certain illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.
The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart illness.
Employed in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.
In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam throughout the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application method for positive aspects.
The Secretary’s decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“We should do far better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will,” Shinseki added. “Veterans who endure well being troubles deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as becoming caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
AL Amyloidosis
Agent Orange 2/2/2/2
Chloracne
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Diabetes Mellitus (Sort 2)
Hodgkin’s Illness
Several Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers, and
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
Extra data about Agent Orange and VA’s services and programs for Veterans exposed to the chemical are obtainable at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
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