Merkel Cell Carcanoma

3372bill
3372bill Member Posts: 3
edited December 2023 in Military Cancer Survivors #1
I have Mekel Cell cancer; this was found in the lymph nodes last November. I have found four other Viet Nam Vets with the same cancer. How many other Viet Nam Vets exposed to agent orange are out there have this cancer? The VA is saying it is not on thier list so no compensation is allowed. Merkel cell is a rare cancer and finding four other vets that have been infected the odds are very high.

Bill Schweitzer

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #2
    Try looking in here
    Bill,

    The VA does not list Merkel Cell cancer as connected to Agent Orange, but that does not mean you can not place a claim and fight it. I just did a quick search on the VA site. There are some claims in there. Scroll down to the bottom of each claim to see the results.

    This is the only one that I could find that actually was Granted.

    http://www.va.gov/vetapp/wraper_bva.asp?file=/vetapp11/Files2/1112364.txt

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • MJMaine
    MJMaine Member Posts: 1
    #3
    merkel cell cancer
    My late Marine husband had 3 tours of Vietnam and died of Merkel Cell Cancer. I have been denied survivor benefits before it is not on the list of Agent Orange diseases.
  • Marilyn Haney
    Marilyn Haney Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2019 #4
    my brother has metastatic merkel cell

    My brother was diagnosed with metastatic merkel cell carcinoma.  He was a combat medic and was in the field every day.  It is in his lymph node, pelvis, and lung.  He had to quit work.  He applied for disability with the VA, and even his oncologist stated Agent orange may have caused merkel cell....they denied him saying it was not on the list.  His name is Ebb Thomas...We are at a loss for them to deny this.  He was in Viet Nam starting in 1968

  • Marilyn Haney
    Marilyn Haney Member Posts: 5
    #5
    Have you had any luck with

    Have you had any luck with the VA accepting merkel ...My brother has metastatic merkel cell carcinoma.  They have denied once and we have reapplied for them to reconsider.

     

  • dhenderson59
    dhenderson59 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2020 #6
    Merkel Cell Carcinoma

    My husband passed away in May 2010 of Merkel Cell Carcinoma and just wondering if anyone has found any information regarding the connection of this cancer to Agent Orange. My husgand was 100% disabled and receiving benefits from VA due to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Diabetes and other things related to his exposure to Agent Orange and I just know this was caused by this chemical also but VA says no. He has 2 tours in Vietnam, gave all to his country and lost his life from exposure and I lost the most loving husband I could have ever ask for. I was denied DIC benefits and they have also denied me the use of his VA loan.

    Just reaching out to see if anyone has any new info regarding the relation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma to Agent Orange.

    Thx in advance to anyone who can offer information.

  • Torpedoman57
    Torpedoman57 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2020 #7
    Merkel Cell Carcinoma

    Well, I'm stage 4 Merkel Cell Carcinoma and from what I can see here, I'm screwed by the VA. I was told by one of my Doc's that it was not service connected, he is a former skimmer (surface navy) so I was taking it with a grain of salt, considering that the atmosphere on the subs I served had to be constantly monitored and the air cleaned and reused otherwise it could prove to be hazardous to ones health. At the moment I've had 2 surgeries, one late last year and one around Sept this year, from forhead to collerbone. I'm on my second round of radiation, and the insurance would not approve (Bc?BS) any immunothearpy, but one of my Oncology docs pushed thru to Keytruda to have it approved as a hardship so I'm getting it for free. Also that same doctor said Chemothearpy won't help. so not doing that. I guess I should apply to Social Security? But I'm only going on 63 this December?! I'm still working, but damn, I'm not sure how long I have left.....

  • Marinedaughter
    Marinedaughter Member Posts: 2
    #8
    My dad is a Merkel survivor, Vietnam vet

    He asked me to share this link

    https://www.va.gov/vetapp14/Files7/1453272.txt

  • Marinedaughter
    Marinedaughter Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2021 #9
    https://www.index.va.gov

    https://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.jsp 

  • paulcraft
    paulcraft Member Posts: 1 *
    #10

    Add me to the list, served two tours in Nam (1966 and 1968) surgery to remove merkel cell lymph nodes , total of seven, October 2023 and am receiving my radiation treatments now. I have not contacted the VA to inquire about compensation because I had such a problem getting them to help with my diagnosis

Discussion Boards