Vietnam War Veteran USAF

[rickgongju]

Diagnosed with CLL in 2012, but just within the last 6 months found out it could be due to my exposure to Agent Orange while stationed at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand during the War from 1973 to 1974. Filled a VA Disability Compensation Claim 03/30/2018, but still waiting a decision on my claim. I am CLL Rai Stage 0 without treatment, just quarterly exams by my Oncologist. Got my doubts of getting any compensation rating now, but if I go into Stage 1 and or need treatments....I will definitely file an appeal!

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

You should get compensation.. if they feel you had an exposure... the fact you are diagnosed with CLL is enough to claim.. Stage has no relevance...

If they refuse, certainly appeal...

~chris

[YelvertonDevon]

I was very sorry to hear about your current position. Exacerbated by Senator John McCains funeral this weekend. I hope all goes well with you.

[Awksom]

Coincidentally both my brother in law and I have CLL. His has been confirmed as exposure to agent orange during Vietnam. He was a Marine CH53 pilot while in Vietnam. I do know that the VA pays fully for treatment altho in his case he is on the Fed Govt plan due to other service. He’s now on intrutinib.

[brad8]

ricKgongju Could you explain how you could be exposed to agent orange from Thailand and well at the end of the Vietnam war . Im an infantry veteran who was directly sprayed from above from planes flying over in Vietnam. I have CLL witch I believe caused my involvment in Vietnam. Was you involved in flying spray planes over Vietnam.

[migirlusa]

Thank you for your service.

Pam

[Fant1924]

The key is to establish a “service connected disability.” I was sent to Vietnam twice as a Navy Diver. Because I am Navy and not assigned to a shore command I had to dig to find documentation that I was ashore. I did that by finding fitness reports describing work in the harbors and ashore. Just a tip, review all your old documents.

Dennis, 71, Ibrutinib (provided by the VA)

[Villager]

Dennis-

Proof of AO exposure once was, are you formally diagnosed with CLL and were you “boots on the ground”. VA qualified me in 2013 and after four phases of chemo,

I was prescribed Ibrutinib (which I attribute to being alive today).

Question: My VA in Michigan does not provide Ibrutinib. Where are you located and how is it available to you via the VA? Thanks!

[Bobsmal]

My husband had 100 %compensation for Mantle CELL Lymphoma, proven to have been EXASSABATED BY Agent Orange in 67/68 When as an infantry soldier he was in the forests that were sprayed. He has no Idea about compensation until last autumn. No one told him. He found out from an associate of his daughters who's father has had the same.. He applied last August and was approved in November. He died this past April. So sad. He was stage 4 when diagnosed and was too far gone for Ibrutinib to fight although he got six months ease on the drug which shrunk his tumours dramatically but he caught infections and that was it. They are very strict on the conditions and knowing where you were situated and The years you were there. I'm Not sure that they still sprayed past 71 so cannot say. But definitely there is no harm trying. My husband never had chance to try and enjoy a little of the money which he could have received two years previously if he had known but It does secure me as his widow as they pay me a percentage of his compensation per month and that really helps.

[winterwild in reply to Bobsmal]

My father died from MCL. He was in Hiroshima after the bomb, feeding the army. I have CLL and my brother has pre CLL. We were also brought up near the Maralinga nuclear test sites in South Australia. I have always wondered if these events were the cause of our illness’s.

[Bobsmal]

Oh dear. Bless you. Two of his children have had cancer in their early 40s and one autistic grandson.. Have you checked on the search engines ask the question and see if there is a connection. The Internet is such a help in these cases. If only we had tried or knew earlier we could have had comp earlier..... I feel for family.. So sorry. MCL alone is evil let alone suffering yourself and yours too. X

[EJM52545]

In 2008 I was also diagnosed with CLL, served in Vietnam 67-68. The Navy still keeps good records of Units moves, as

I’m sure the AF too. I’ve been VA 100% total and permanent from the moment I submitted my claim. You shouldn’t have any problems getting your VA compensation if you were exposed. Stay safe, all the best! Ed