I know this is off topic, but since theere are a lot of guys here that are of Vietnam Vet age, I’d like to post this as a public service announcement. If you served in-country or off-shore between Jan 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, and have Diabetes Type 2, you are automatically qualified for service related disability, and can recieve tax free monthly payments of between $117, and $2527. From the response there was to the Modeling With Diabetes thread that ran last year, there are a lot of us on this forum, and the disability is not widely publicized. If this post lasts, thanks Mods!![:)]
Thanks for posting that, Lou… I served 3 tours in-country, but thankfully still haven’t had any Diabetes problems. Is that because of an exposure to Agent Orange, or what? I know several Nam vets with “type 2” so I’ll definately share your info with them.
The reason for the disability is “possible exposure to agent orange and other herbicides”. There are about a dozen other ailments that also qualify “automatically”. This means that you don’t have to document exposure, just being there during that time span. BTW, the VA is a lot better than it was in '66 when I first went there - I sat around for 5 hours - was spoket to as if I were bothering someone - and left. Today it is like a private Doctors office only better!!
Thanks for the information Lou. This is the first I heard of this. I served over there in 65-66. You mentioned “other ailments”. Where can I get information regarding those?
Unfortunately, I managed to spend a little less than a year (during Linebacker, 1972-1973) as a guest at the Hanoi Hilton; fortunately with no lasting effects. Didn’t know about this benefit … I have a couple of buddies and my father-in-law (who received two Purple Hearts about 5 years before I got there) who need to know. Thanks.
My older brother has it and does receive the benefit , so if anyone is wondering if this is for real it is. Myself and my other brother all served, they were both lifers , I just joined for 4 years and went civilian.
Doug, go to http://www.va.gov/ for addl info. “Other ailments” include "chloracne or other acneform disease similar to cloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft-tissue sarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma or mesothelioma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, respirtory cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostrate cancer, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, diabetes melititus (Type 2) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Jag 193, there are also a number of “automatic” disabilities for former POW’s, as well as additional benifits for Purple Heart recipients.
Any vet, Vietnam or otherwise should go to the website & register. I only registered a little over a month ago when I retired and needed additional health insurance coverage (medicines are $8 per month for prescriptions!!). There are also additional benefits for Gulf War vets and others. CHECK IT OUT MY FELLOW VETS!!! [tup][tup]
Hi Lou: Thanks for passing on the info. I’m 40% for diabete, high blood pressrue, and hearing loss. The VA has really changed from back in 67 when I first went to them. I was treated like a bum and left. I finally went back 6 years ago at the insestance of my wife and a former crew chief. Boy what a change. Take care.
Wow-your government is certainly quick to help your boys.
Our government,and I use the term loosly,still won’t pay our vets who contracted cancer after the Easter Island atom bomb tests,in the 1950’s.[banghead]