I'm being charged by my insurance provider for va services. I am a 1.5 year veteran of the Vietnam

pc in Vietnam Vets
You are correct, pc is a health condition recognized as service connected if you stepped foot in vietnam. You do not have to show that your illness is Service connected in order to get disability compensation. We just went all through this, it wasn't that there was a problem with the claim it just took seven months to get the VA to look at it even though my husband is an advanced case and it was supposed to be reviewed immediately. Have you filed a claim with your local VA office? My husband doesn't go to a VA facility for treatment, we have Tricare insurance so he goes to a civilian doctor.

Sheila

jimbeam50 said:

pc in Vietnam Vets
You are correct, pc is a health condition recognized as service connected if you stepped foot in vietnam. You do not have to show that your illness is Service connected in order to get disability compensation. We just went all through this, it wasn't that there was a problem with the claim it just took seven months to get the VA to look at it even though my husband is an advanced case and it was supposed to be reviewed immediately. Have you filed a claim with your local VA office? My husband doesn't go to a VA facility for treatment, we have Tricare insurance so he goes to a civilian doctor.

Sheila

PC in Viet Nam
I had two tours as a Combat Medic in Viet Nam. What you tell me about disability for PC as a result of sduch duty is disturbing. I'd like to know where to look at the government's response to this. Can you send links or advise @ searches? Thanks and Good Fortune.

ismetals said:

Thanks for responding guys.
Thanks for responding guys. I don't know where this is going. I just thought that the VA would help out. I'm going to try and find somebody that knows more about the VA and it's bearocracy. In the mean time keep fighting, take your time on all decisions and base them on the best info you can get your hands on.

Agent Orange - PC - The process
I live in Albany NY and called my Albany County Veterans' Affairs people. Within a week I had been mailed forms to fill out. I was also told to contact the New York State Veterans' Affairs people, who are located at our VA hospital here.
There are two processes: Filing for compensation and getting on the Agent Orange Registry.

I am going to see the NYS Vets Affairs guy this afternoon ( 4/21) to see to it that I've completed the mind-numbing form for compensation that the VA requires before I file it with them.

Friday I am going to the VA for 'Agent Orange Registry' - whatever that is.

I also received a letter from the VA hospital yesterday saying that I would have to have 'Means Testing' after my Agent Orange Registry examination. Maybe so they can tell me I don't need any comp because I'm so wealthy? That's cynical, I know

I will post as the process moves along.

Another way to do this is to contact your nearest Disabled American Veterans office. I was in an Arty unit ( 3/12 3rd Mar Div) and my hearing started to go in my late 30's. I went through DAV, calling a local representative. DAV has a web site where you can start. DAV issuper at going through the maze!!! This may be your best bet, AND WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A POPPY EACH NOVEMBER FOR AT LEAST $10.00.

Visit to counselor
Met with NY Division of Veterans Affairs rep, who has an office in our Albany VA Hospital. As I had previously applied for hearing loss comp, I had a VA file number. Accordingly I did not have to fill out the form all over again. They had most of the data on the computer. The representative did help me fill out a supplemental form for this new comp request. Since the Pathology Report indicated the removal of the cancerous tumour ( i.e. I was 'cured', the comp claim was for 'Loss of Reproductive Organ' Also, since my prior application was in 2004, together we updated the computer data with all the address, phone number, etc. items that had changed since 2004.
You must bring your DDA 214 to your meeting. The form might or might not have information indicating 'in-country service'. There were plenty of people who wore the yellow and orange campaign ribbon who, despite their service, were not 'in country'. You should have your in-country unit's complete description. - like mine was HQ Co; 3rd Battalion; 12th Marines; 3rd Marine Div.
You'll also need to have your treating physician's name and address so that you can complete your for the treating physician an Authorization and Consent to Release Information.
I brought along a copy of my Post-Op Pathology Report to serve as verification for the new claim. My pathology report had all the information on it that the Rep felt was necessary to establish a claim for comp.
After completion of the data, my rep took responsibility for getting the form to the nearest VA processing office.
He informed me that within 6-8 weeks I would receive a notice from the VA that they were processing the claim. If you had no previous claim, you would at that time be notified what your 'File Number' was. From that point on, you use that with any correspondence. Within a subsequent 6-8 week period, I sould receive a 'Duty to Respond' Letter. This is a request for supplemental information that they might require. YOU MUST FOLLOW UP AND SEND THEM WHAT THEY ASK FOR. This is where you work closely with your desgnated Rep to provide them with the data or documents. Respond as quickly as you can!!! You have 60 days ( actually, a year but don't stretch it if you can help it). Finally, after ANOTHER 6-8 weeks, you should get an 'Award' Letter.
So the process is at least 24 weeks.
WORK WITH YOUR REP. THE Rep knows all the ins and outs. You just go with the flow.

Friday 4/24 I will get on the Agent Orange Registry after an 'examination'.

Your being on the Agent Orange Registry and your application for compensation HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER. My rep informed me that even if I was 'registered', the VA processing my claim could question whether or not I was 'in-country'. As we've come to learn, They Don't Talk To Each Other.

Visit to counselor
Met with NY Division of Veterans Affairs rep, who has an office in our Albany VA Hospital. As I had previously applied for hearing loss comp, I had a VA file number. Accordingly I did not have to fill out the form all over again. They had most of the data on the computer. The representative did help me fill out a supplemental form for this new comp request. Since the Pathology Report indicated the removal of the cancerous tumour ( i.e. I was 'cured', the comp claim was for 'Loss of Reproductive Organ' Also, since my prior application was in 2004, together we updated the computer data with all the address, phone number, etc. items that had changed since 2004.
You must bring your DDA 214 to your meeting. The form might or might not have information indicating 'in-country service'. There were plenty of people who wore the yellow and orange campaign ribbon who, despite their service, were not 'in country'. You should have your in-country unit's complete description. - like mine was HQ Co; 3rd Battalion; 12th Marines; 3rd Marine Div.
You'll also need to have your treating physician's name and address so that you can complete your for the treating physician an Authorization and Consent to Release Information.
I brought along a copy of my Post-Op Pathology Report to serve as verification for the new claim. My pathology report had all the information on it that the Rep felt was necessary to establish a claim for comp.
After completion of the data, my rep took responsibility for getting the form to the nearest VA processing office.
He informed me that within 6-8 weeks I would receive a notice from the VA that they were processing the claim. If you had no previous claim, you would at that time be notified what your 'File Number' was. From that point on, you use that with any correspondence. Within a subsequent 6-8 week period, I sould receive a 'Duty to Respond' Letter. This is a request for supplemental information that they might require. YOU MUST FOLLOW UP AND SEND THEM WHAT THEY ASK FOR. This is where you work closely with your desgnated Rep to provide them with the data or documents. Respond as quickly as you can!!! You have 60 days ( actually, a year but don't stretch it if you can help it). Finally, after ANOTHER 6-8 weeks, you should get an 'Award' Letter.
So the process is at least 24 weeks.
WORK WITH YOUR REP. THE Rep knows all the ins and outs. You just go with the flow.

Friday 4/24 I will get on the Agent Orange Registry after an 'examination'.

Your being on the Agent Orange Registry and your application for compensation HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER. My rep informed me that even if I was 'registered', the VA processing my claim could question whether or not I was 'in-country'. As we've come to learn, They Don't Talk To Each Other.