How To Increase Your VA Disability Rating

Generally, a combination of a medical diagnosis, the disability’s symptoms, and its effect on the Veteran’s everyday life determines the amount of benefits the disabled Veteran receives. A change in any one of these areas could significantly, and positively, affect your VA disability rating. The amount of monthly financial benefits depends primarily on the disability rating. Free VA medical care, an equally-important benefit, is typically available to all disabled Veterans, regardless of the extent of disability.   Evidence on all these points is relatively easy to obtain. But different kinds of evidence are more effective in different situations. The most important…
Read More

What is USVSST Compensation and are You Eligible?

What is USVSST Compensation and are You Eligible? In January 2021, lawmakers amended the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act, which created the USVSST. U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. These amendments significantly changed eligibility rules. So, if you or a family member or even a deceased family member was the victim of international state-sponsored terrorism, you may be able to draw funds from the USVSST Fund. Even if the Veterans Administration turned you down before.   The amount of compensation could be significant. For example, by law, if you or a loved one was…
Read More

Lawmakers Consider Expanding Agent Orange Presumption

A bipartisan effort is underway to extend Agent Orange exposure benefits to service members who served in other parts of Southeast Asia during Operation Ranch Hand.   Pennsylvania Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) and Matt Cartwright (D) introduced a bill that would apply to Veterans who were stationed in Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand during Operation Ranch Hand. “Many of those who have been exposed are living with cancers, heart disease or Parkinson’s disease,” Rep. Cartwright remarked in a statement. “They deserve relief for the pain and hardship this has caused for them and their families.”   Over 50,000 soldiers served in…
Read More

Agent Orange and Survivors’ Benefits

Detailing Agent Orange and Survivors' Benefits In regards to Agent Orange and Survivors' Benefits, the VA offers a wide range of benefits to surviving spouses.  In addition, the dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans may be eligible. The qualifications for eligibility include the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. And then later dying as the result of diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. What Kinds of Benefits are Available? A monthly benefit payment called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation may be available to surviving spouses and dependent children. Additionally dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and died…
Read More

Diseases Associated With Agent Orange

What Are The Diseases Associated With Agent Orange? Medical science has determined a variety of diseases associated with Agent Orange. Because of this the VA recognizes certain cancers as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange.  Also connected to Agent Orange are numerous other health problems. Adding to that, exposure to certain other herbicides during military service are connected to some diseases.  So if you were exposed to Agent Orange and have been diagnosed with any of the following diseases, you may be eligible for disability benefits.  Plus, survivors of the Veteran with the disease may also be eligible.…
Read More

Agent Orange Registry

The Agent Orange Registry (AOR) Health Exam The VA's Agent Orange Registry (AOR) health exam can help Veterans to identify possible long-term health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure during their military service. Also, the registry data helps the VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively. How can I get an AOR exam? Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about getting an Agent Orange Registry health exam. What does the Agent Orange Registry health exam include? This comprehensive health exam includes: an exposure history, your medical history, a full physical exam, and any…
Read More

Agent Orange Registry (AOR)?

What is the Agent Orange Registry (AOR)? This article covers the history of the Agent Orange Registry (AOR).  After the Vietnam War, the VA began a program to examine and to record the names of veterans concerned about health problems related to their exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides during their military service in Southeast Asia.  This program is known as the Agent Orange Registry or AOR.  Almost 500,00 veterans, or one out of every six who served there, are in the registry. Eligible veterans qualify for an Agent Orange Registry examination at the VA. Who Is Eligible for…
Read More

VA Appeals for Multiple Myeloma

VA Appeals For Multiple Myeloma And Agent Orange This article covers VA Appeals for Mutiple Myeloma claims that have been denied. Are you a veteran who developed multiple myeloma? And did you develop the disease after being exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service? If so, you do not have to prove a connection between your disease and service to be eligible to receive VA health care and disability compensation. It is now considered a presumptive disease. There has been a lot of research on multiple myeloma and herbicides. The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academy…
Read More

Agent Orange

What is Agent Orange? The history and use of Agent Orange is detailed here along with the explanation of what it is. “Agent Orange” refers to a number of different herbicides.  During the Vietnam War, U.S. Air Force aircraft sprayed various herbicides that killed the dense tropical foliage.   Which in turn provided a natural cover for the Viet Cong and enemy forces. The metal containers storing the herbicide had orange stripes. Thus the name “Agent Orange”. It has been estimated that between 1962 and 1971, “Operation Ranch Hand” sprayed about 19 million gallons of herbicide.  11 million of which consisted…
Read More

Agent Orange and Survivors’ Benefits

Detailing Agent Orange and Survivors' Benefits In regards to Agent Orange and Survivors' Benefits, the VA offers a wide range of benefits to surviving spouses.  In addition, the dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans may be eligible. The qualifications for eligibility include the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. And then later dying as the result of diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. What Kinds of Benefits are Available? A monthly benefit payment called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation may be available to surviving spouses. And additionally the dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange…
Read More