Agent orange is a name that gets thrown around a lot in the news, due to its use in the War on Terror. When it comes to compensation, most people do not know what it is or how much it may be worth.
Agent orange was a chemical warfare agent used during the Vietnam War that infiltrated the body and system. It was introduced as a riot-control agent but ended up causing many long-term problems including cancer and other illnesses.
Since its use ended in the 1970s, this chemical has been linked to compensation for those who were exposed to it. Most people who are exposed to Agent Orange receive no compensation as there were no manufacturing plants found near where people lived.
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How to file a claim for disability benefits
If you have been exposed to Agent Orange, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a claim form that you can fill out and submit to your VA doctor to determine if you are disabled.
Disability benefits are not guaranteed, however. You must prove that Agent Orange was a substantial factor in your development of the condition you claim voting inability is required. This requires very strong evidence, as well as a lengthy period of time since your exposure to Agent Orange.
Unfortunately, many veterans do not have the resources or confidence in their disease to sufficiently prove this on their own. If you have been diagnosed with voting inability, contact a local Agent Orange compensation lawyer at once for help filing a claim or determining if you are disabled.
Recent decisions on veterans filing claims
Earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it would be expanding the pool of applicants who are exposed to Agent Orange through their family tree.
Now, anyone whose father, grandfather, or brother served in the Vietnam War can file a claim. This comes after claims were being filed at a low rate due to uncertainty about compensation.
This claim expansion was done to increase the amount of compensation available to veterans. There are two ways you can get compensation from the VA. The first is through an application process and if you meet the requirements, you can receive compensation. The other is through a filing system.
What kinds of disability are associated with Agent Orange?
Agent Orange damages the body’s immune system, which affects how you respond to different stimuli. This can make it hard for someone to perform ordinary tasks like lifting or climbing stairs.
Some people with Agent Orange damages develop progressive disabilities, where one function in life is not able to be performed due to the damage. These people may need help with everyday tasks like eating or sleeping.
Fortunately, doctors can determine whether a person has Agent Orange by looking at their scars and symptoms. If the person has these symptoms, then sure enough they have damage to their immune system.
However, these disability associated with Agent Orange does not mean that someone cannot get paid compensation for their injury. There are many ways to receive compensation for your injuries today.
Can I get medical care if I am not a veteran?
Agent orange is considered a health hazard and can affect anyone regardless of military service. While it may not cause military veterans medical issues, it can be harmful to those without veteran status.
Most mainstream doctors do not know about agent orange and its effects. Some believe it is non-essential immune system cells, but it is still a sensitive topic for many.
Yet, when a patient brings up an agent orange exposure, the doctor might look at you with doubt. After all, you spent your career fighting something that may have harmed your health.
But belief aside, there are still some Doctor Who fans who have been exposed to or were injured by Agent Orange.
What is the process for applying for disability compensation?
If you suffer from PTSD, you can apply for disability compensation through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). You must be able to demonstrate that you are experiencing significant and disconcerting symptoms relating to your PTSD, and that these symptoms have prevented you from engaging in other activities with reasonable expectation of recovery.
To qualify for disability compensation, your symptom level must be severe and ongoing, which means it has not been cured by therapy or other treatments. If you have a treatment plan with your doctor, VA will only consider removing a treatment if the reason for treating you was due to your PTSD.
Therapy can help reduce pain levels, but only when the therapist understands how well each treatment method works on their own. It is up to the therapist to prove their level of understanding by completing an advanced therapy evaluation (ATE).
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
Agent orange was a chemical weapon developed in the 1940s and 1950s. It was used in the Vietnam War to defoliate narrow, heavily defended areas.
When it is sprayed, it enters the human body and grows in size as it travels throughout your system. This occurs within days or weeks and can last for years.
As a result, people are exposed to large amounts of this chemical for a longer period of time than they expected. As you grow older, Agent Orange can affect your compensation. Some people receive compensation for childhood Agent Orange exposure while others do not.
Many people receive compensation for adult exposure but not before then. This is because their bodies did not contain enough of the chemical to compensate for childhood exposure.
How long does the process take?
When you file your claim, the VA determines if you are eligible for compensation. If so, your compensation will come through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for payment.
If not, then the process can take a few months to years, depending on how many times you apply. You will need to make your case in court or through an agreement with the VA before you receive any compensation.
In some cases, such as with childhood cancer or other diseases, there may be no guarantee that you will not become disabled or die before receiving compensation. Both scenarios are considered possible but unlikely while on disability due to symptoms!
The most common time period between when you’re approved for disability and when you can receive disability payments is three to five years. During this time, new information comes out about old diseases and injuries and that people were wrong about their entitlement.
Can I get help filling out the application?
If you are currently a victim of Agent Orange, there are many resources available to you. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has health care centers located throughout the country where you can receive treatment for your Agent Orange exposure.
Many community-based organizations and medical groups also offer support through counseling or phone calls, and/or distribution of applications. These organizations typically rely on self-report questions to determine who has exposure to Agent Orange, rather than a specific amount of cans or bottles.
As with any application-filling process, be honest and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or uneasy answering certain questions, do not send your application out! Your application will not be processed if you do not respond to the required questions.