Navy ship connection

[Je1234]

I wanted to update the group that when mom and I went to the Veteran’s affaires office after my dad’s death from aggressive prostate cancer, the case manager confirmed that Navy ships are linked to prostate cancer development. My dad’s ships haven’t been added to the list yet but may be added in the future. Apparently there are toxic chemicals on theses ships that they have confirmed are linked to prostate cancer. If anyone has served in the military and developed this, I would recommend looking into the connection.

[NPfisherman]

Thanks for posting this information....so sorry about your father.....God bless you...

Don Pescado

[Je1234 in reply to NPfisherman]

Thank you. He was diagnosed in November 2018 and died 11 weeks later. It’s been 13 weeks since I’ve lost him. I’m really struggling with grief. My comfort is knowing he’s not suffering anymore and our memories will live on in my heart forever. He was a wonderful father and a great man.

[Zetabow]

Do you know which toxic chemicals? I served in Royal Navy and worked in Power Station afterwards. Water Treatment plants used some powerful chemicals

[Je1234 in reply to Zetabow]

They said something about the boiler rooms being toxic. My father also worked in Water treatment for many years after his service in the military. I’m sure this has all contributed to this sickness.

[33947]

The VA links Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam with prostate cancer. It qualifies for a disability. I was there in 1968-69 and am now stage 4 with a 100% disability.

[Je1234 in reply to 33947]

I’m glad you were able to receive your disability. That’s the same time period my dad served (early 60’s and got out in 76). He was on the Galveston and Antietam.

[monte1111]

Just so sad about your father. I do so hate the grief. Looking outwards helps. Too much looking inwards can make you a tangled mess. I focus on my granddaughter. Spoil the crap out of her. And as Dan59 said: Do something nice for someone today.

[Je1234]

Thank you for sharing. I hope you’re doing ok. All of the people suffering from this are real heroes.

[ImaSurvivor1]

A big challenge for veterans applying for VA disability compensation has always been documenting that the illness/disability is service connected. Fortunately, for Vietnam veterans with prostate cancer who were "on the ground" in Vietnam and in some cases Thailand and surrounding areas where there was exposure to Agent Orange, the VA policy has been to "presume" that if you were in those areas and have prostate cancer, it was caused by Agent Orange, eliminating the burden of documenting "service connection" for the veteran. What's new is that just recently this presumption of service-connection has been extended to "blue water" Navy Vietnam veterans off the coast of Vietnam. That's been a long time coming for Navy veterans with prostate cancer.