Pick this up today from my inbox-

 

Dear Veteran,  

 

You may be eligible for newly enacted service-connected benefits.  

 

Over the course of the last six months, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun processing service-connected disability claims for six new presumptive conditions related to environmental exposures during military service. We request your help in making more Veterans aware of these newly added presumptive conditions to help them file a claim and obtain any earned benefits. 

 

In May 2021, VA started implementing provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), adding bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to the list of medical conditions presumptively associated with exposure to Agent Orange. A few months later VA added asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis (to include rhinosinusitis) on a presumptive basis based on particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas.  

 

Any Veteran who was previously denied service-connection for any of these six conditions but had symptoms manifest within 10 years of military service would need to file a supplemental claim. Be sure to use VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim when filing. The claim form should include the name of the condition and specify that the condition is being claimed due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards.  

 

The link to the VA Form 20-0995-

https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-0995-ARE.pdf

Scam or real?  Sounds too good.  

If true, it's about damned time!

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Scam or real?  Sounds too good.  

Directly from the VA email I received on November 18. 

Sorry, Lew.  I was really tired that day when I posted.  I should have never questioned your integrity.  That was such shocking news that it is rather unbelievable.  

 

I have to get up several times during the night for bathroom duties.  Does that count?  

9 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Sorry, Lew.  I was really tired that day when I posted.  I should have never questioned your integrity.  That was such shocking news that it is rather unbelievable.  

 

I have to get up several times during the night for bathroom duties.  Does that count?  

Disbelief is understandable after all this time of ignoring the AO problems. If those trips to the bathroom count, I need to apply 

I was not exposed to AO but, if the bathroom trips qualify, I'm in!

Not a vet, never been to Viet Nam, but when I was at Westover AFB I was an aircraft electrician. I worked on the C-130’s and the C-123’s. I was told the C-123’s were the planes used to spray the AO. I do know in the hot months some of the planes had a nasty smell. I am 61 and other than some self induced issues (maybe I should eat a little less  ), pretty much in good health. I have always wondered how much exposure I had. I’m positive after 40 years in construction, in New England (lots of old buildings) my exposure to asbestos is a much more serious issue. Keeping fingers crossed on that one. Unfortunately the 2 people I’m aware of that had been exposed to AO, and had the conditions listed are no longer with us. I hope this is in time for some of the Vets.