Veteran's Administration: Esophageal Cancer to Helicopter Door Gunners, Crew Chiefs, Vietnam 68-71.

judithforrest@gmail.com
judithforrest@gmail.com Member Posts: 1
in Esophageal Cancer #1

My husband, Mark Forrest, was a door gunner/crew chief in Vietnam in 68-71.  He was "in the stream" of Agent Orange as it was deployed from the helicopters.  Many others were similarly situated and had the same upper respiratory/esophageal cancer diagnosis. He passed in 2015 and I am still trying to get my benefits. Who can help me???

 

Comments

  • Deathorglory
    Deathorglory Member Posts: 364 Member
    #2
    Hello Judith

    Hello Judith,

    There are a few posts on this site about Agent Orange & EC.  If you surf around a bit, you'll find them.  My recollection of those posts is that folks did not fare well when dealing with the government looking for anything.  Perhaps you can surf your way to something useful, though.

    Best Wishes,

    Ed

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    edited July 2018 #3
    Unfortunately there is no clear link between Agent Orange and EC

    Judith,

    I am a Vietnam Veteran like your husband and also an esophageal cancer survivor.

    To my great frustration, as far as I know, the Veteran’s Administration contends that there is no clear link between Agent Orange exposure and esophageal cancer. There have been numerous posts here over the years by many survivors and care givers describing their struggles with the VA related to this topic. Here is a post by Loretta Marshall that has some of the most authoritative information on the topic I have seen.

    https://csn.cancer.org/node/307698

    I would suggest you contact your local VA office to begin a claim process (it sounds like from your post that you have already done that) and contact your local congressman’s office to see if you can get some assistance there.

    Here is the most recent VA position I am aware of:

    https://www.va.gov/vetapp07/files4/0730874.txt

    Unless there has been some recent change in direction on the part of the VA it is a difficult case to prove.

    I am so sorry for your loss and your frustration in receiving the support your husband earned through his service.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina
    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Eight Year Survivor

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