Veterans Corner
Veterans Corner
VETERANS CORNER
Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions, Surviving spouse DIC, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions:
AL Amyloidosis
Bladder Cancer
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
Chloracne
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Hodgkin's Disease
Hypothyroidism
Ischemic Heart Disease
High blood pressure also called Hypertension
MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance)
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Parkinsonism
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers including lung cancer
Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
All these conditions have a presumed service connection attached to them for service persons exposed to Agent Orange in these locations: Vietnam, Waters in (Brown Navy) and off of (Blue Navy). Vietnam Demilitarized Zone in Korea, American Samoa, Cambodia, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Laos and Thailand.
Surviving spouses of any Veteran that has a presumed service-connected condition is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors. The deceased veteran did not have to have his condition service-connected by the VA prior to passing for the survivor to be eligible. For example, the surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran that never received any service-connected compensation from the VA for Bladder Cancer (a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure), who dies of Bladder Cancer and has this listed on the death certificate as a cause of death, is eligible for DIC benefits which can be applied for at Susquehanna County Veteran Affairs Office: 570-278-5955.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
We commemorate those who fought in the Vietnam War on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29th. There’s no doubt that the Vietnam War was one of the most brutal. In fact, there were over three million Vietnam War casualties during the years of battle. National Vietnam War Veterans Day was created to honor all the Vietnam veterans who fought during its time.
The Vietnam War has a long history. It was one of the longest wars involving America. Starting in 1955, the war went on until 1975. Over 2.7 million Americans served during this war. In 1973 all combat and support units withdrew from Vietnam following the war. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is acknowledged on March 29 every year, honoring anyone who served during its 20-year time. Since respect and combat support wasn’t immediately given to those who served after the war ended because of the number of deaths, the day was founded in 2017 to finally offer that respect to everyone involved.
Understanding that it wasn’t the soldiers’ choices to go to war, U.S. Senators Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., introduced the legislation proposing the anniversary of the withdrawal of military units from South Vietnam as the date. It was President Donald Trump who signed the Act on March 29, calling for U.S. flags to be flown on this day to honor everyone who served during this time, whether they were in Vietnam or not. Every year since it was founded in 2017, this national day has continued to be recognized on March 29. (nationaltoday.com)
Thank a Vietnam Veteran!
Speaking as an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, I again want to personally thank every single Vietnam Veteran, and welcome you home to a Country that loves you. The soldiers I served with, received an over-the-top welcome home, which we were all very aware of coming, in part, from the guilt the country felt over not properly welcoming all of you home, SO THANK YOU AND WELCOME HOME FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO