Michael Davis/Guest Columnist
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on latest evidence of an association with the herbicide Agent Orange.
The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to Agent Orange.
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam Ware are: Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy; Chloracne; Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2); Hodgkin’s Disease; Multiple Myeloma; Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; Prostate Cancer; Respiratory Cancers and Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services and programs for veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
Federal VA Regional Office
The VA Regional Office in Montgomery has a phone system that provides recorded benefit information to callers 24 hours a day seven days a week. Callers can obtain current information on the many VA benefit programs from several recorded messages.
System access instructions are available by calling the toll-free number 1 (800) 827-1000. Veterans Benefits counselors can also be reached through this system to answer questions during normal business hours.
Business and occupation license exemptions available for disabled veterans
Disabled resident veterans of Alabama who served on active duty in the U. S. Armed Forces when the United States was engaged in foreign hostilities and are disabled either from their service or non-service conditions may be exempt from small business and occupation license fees.
Contact the county licensing office to determine eligibility for this benefit.
Eligibility for VA disability pension
Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled, or are age 65 and older, may be eligible for monetary support from the VA if they have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war.
The veteran’s discharge must have been under conditions other than dishonorable and the disability must be for reasons other than the veteran’s own willful misconduct. Payments are made to bring the veteran’s total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. Un-reimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income for VA purposes.
For more information contact the Limestone County office of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs at (256) 233-6459.
VA warns veterans of telephone prescription scam
The Federal Department of Veterans Affairs is warning veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.
Veterans service organizations have brought to VA’s attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone saying VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and then ask for the Veteran’s credit card number. The VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines.
Michael Davis is assistant veterans service for the Limestone County Office of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
