Here, we present five of the most prominent presumptive Agent Orange conditions. The most important component of a VA disability claim is normally a service-related connection.
In most cases, Veterans must use a combination of service records, medical records, and buddy statements to establish this connection. This process requires lots of work, as considerable evidence must be produced.
Most Agent Orange cases are different. Generally, if the Veteran served in the Vietnam theater between 1961 and 1971 and that Veteran later developed a certain illness, there is a conclusive presumption that service-related Agent Orange exposure caused that illness. Other Veterans, such as those who developed a non-presumptive illness, might be eligible for compensation as
well, they must provide direct evidence of a link between their condition and exposure.
Depending on the nature and severity of the disability, a VA disability attorney can help a veteran obtain up to about $3,000 a month in cash benefits. Typically, these benefits are retroactive to the date the claim was filed or even earlier. Furthermore, most disabled Veterans are entitled to free VA medical care for life.
Hodgkin’s Disease (HD)
HD is a form of lymphoma, a blood cancer that first develops in a person’s lymphatic system. This part of the body purges waste from the immune system and strengthens it against infections. In addition to swollen lymph nodes under the arms, around the groin, and neck, symptoms include fever, chills, and fatigue. A combination of chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery is often effective against HD.
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
This disease is sometimes called the hardening of the arteries. Plaque deposits prevent sufficient
amounts of blood and oxygen from reaching the heart. Symptoms could be mild, like fatigue, and
or could be extreme, like chest pain or a heart attack. IHD treatment usually involves a
combination of medication, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments.
Multiple Myeloma
Also known as Kahler’s disease, it is cancer in blood plasma cells. The genetically altered cells multiply too quickly, damaging the immune system, bones, and kidneys and reducing the patient’s red blood cell count. Symptoms are rather non-specific and include loss of appetite and fatigue. Successful treatments usually feature some combination of steroids, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
This condition, which is similar to HD, is also a form of lymphoma. But NHL triggers an abnormally high white blood cell count. A person’s blood cell count must be perfectly balanced to prevent infections. NHL symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, belly or chest pain, and fever. However, some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation often puts NHL into
remission, provided doctors diagnose it early enough.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)/Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), early-onset
Damaged nerve cells in the brain decrease dopamine levels, causing Parkinson’s Disease. Symptoms often begin with tremors in one hand, and these effects spread to other parts of the body. Medication controls PD symptoms, but there is no cure.
PN is essentially like Parkinson’s Disease, except the affected nerves are outside the brain in the peripheral nervous system. However, instead of tremors, PN patients often experience a pricking or tingling sensation in their fingers or toes, followed by throbbing, shooting, or burning pain, which is worse during the night. Once again, a combination of medication and therapy controls
the symptoms, but there is no cure.
Count on Experienced Attorneys
Agent Orange exposure could cause a number of serious illnesses later in life. For a free consultation with an experienced Veterans disability lawyer, contact the Cameron Firm, P.C. at 800-861-7262 or fill out the contact box to your right because we are here to represent Veterans nationwide.
This article is for educational and marketing purposes only. Consequently, it does not create an attorney-client
relationship.
