I was an Army photographer/ Signal Officer for 22 years two of which were in Vietnam. Until the Pact Act was realized, My claims were ignored. After Pact Act I received back pay $135,000/ TDIU and designated SMC housebound.
I'm one of those Toxic Water Marines stationed in Camp Lejeune from 72-75 drinking that toxic garbage daily. We ate food prepared with the poison water. According to the CDC clinical studies of TCE and PCE that 4 parts per billion can cause neurobehavioral effects. Camp Lejeune water was at 16 parts per billion! The commanding General was aware that the water was bad back then. He issued orders to clean up the marine corps of all marines with behavioral problems by kicking them out with OTH, BCD, and Dishonorable Discharges in the early seventies! I am one of those marines with an OTH. My military medical records show that I complained about blood in urine, insomnia, constant headaches, irritability, anger issues, yet the Navy Doctors did not treat us because of the toxins, they gave me Dimetapp and aspirin and sent back to the company. I have been denied treatment from the VA for over 40 years and still have not been treated for anything because of the discharge related to the water toxins. I have been denied a discharge upgrade 3 times already in the last 40 years prior to the Pact act. In fact the review board said I deserved what I got! I filed my case again in january 2023 after finding out about the CDC Clinical trials in December 2022. The Marine Corps at camp Lejeune was crazy back then with extreme violence, murders, fighting at the mess halls, bowling alley, enlisted clubs, and rioting in jacksonville, setting cars on fire, looting, fights in nightclubs, etc. all the behavioral problems was cased by the toxins in a large scale neurobehavioral catalyst of issues among us marines. It was bad enough we had to deal with racism, segregation in the company. I remember our Captain Mctiernan saying that the only difference between a spic and a spook was a speck! With his rebel flags on the wall and desk in his office. I now have 20% lung capacity, enlarged spleen by 30%, Cirrhosis of the Liver, 7mm nodules on my lungs, ear infections, headaches, insomnia, pneumonia and bronchitis already at least 4 times, lost most of my teeth due to gum disease, yet the VA refuses to treat me as of yet because of the discharge caused by the toxic water, thats the VA's excuse. The issue of marines with bad discharges because of the toxic water has to be addressed instead of sweeping it under the rug like the commanding general did on base back in the early seventies! That ruined a lot of Marine lives with that toxic water induced mentality! Semper Fi 72-75 viet Nam era vets are still being shit on! You should do a story on that issue, lets open up that can of worms and expose them!!!
The survey question should not be “Was it easy to file a claim?”; rather, it should be “Was it easy to get your claim approved?” Filling out and submitting a claim is easy. It’s the BS, incompetence of the VA, and length of time for the VA to process a claim to fruition that is the problem.
I sure hope that you get good honest C&P examination people and raters and adjudicator to start approving veterans for a change, please be fair with all veterans and stop discrimination against them, because you have the power of our lives in your hands, thanks again for your time and support.
I went into my VA office the day before applications were being accepted(OCT 1) and by Feb 15th I was rated 100% P&T due to my advanced prostate cancer diagnosis two years ago. The VA did NOT mess around. I'm a US Navy Gulf War veteran who was constantly exposed to smoke filled air and polluted water from the oil fires and spills.
That's a great thing can you please post the district office that approved your claim. Ours is really bad. and would like to request that office look at my claim.
Also, in Community Care! I have a friend who works there, she said out of 20 employees, only 2 are vets!!! That's fucking bullshit!! I really don't care how much it costs!! Take it from Congress and others that do nothing on a daily basis!
I’m already 100% P&T rated. Thought about filing a supplemental claim for Leukemia (a lymphatic & blood cancer). Was diagnosed about 3 years after retirement, but I’ve been in remission for 5 years now. Served in D Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia & Iraq
I an a Vietnam combat veteran diagnosed with small cell carcinoma caused from coming in contact with Agent Orange. I am rated 100% permanant and total,
As many watching this video will already have a VA rating I would caution you on making claims or participation in any examinations. The VA is looking a changing how rating and values are handled and processed and whenever you file for any additional claim or request examinations they can reassess ALL of your ratings and conditions, not just the item you're filing for in your claim. This may be worth keeping in mind especially if you either are 100 P&T or truly believe you will not qualify or don't want to risk your current ratings. It's sad to be worried about getting care or having to turn down care but this is how the VA rules work. I would like to see the VA guarantee Vets being screened for PACT act related issues WILL NOT put any current ratings or care at risk. Otherwise the VA are free to strip you of all they can in the illusion of HELPING.
I am afraid of even applying to increase the ratings, as VA is very good in finding a way to reduce, rather increase. It happened with me, although I had applied for unemploybility.
I’m 100% pt but I’m suspecting I might have lung cancer. I’m planning on filling so that my wife will receive benefits in case I die as a result of this.
Nobody mentions the Appeals nightmare in all this PACT crap. Right now, the Board of Veterans Appeals is years behind! THIS DESPITE THE RECENT LAW "MODERNIZING" THE PROCESS!!! ADDRESS THAT MISTER SECRETARY!!!
How about Fine Particulat Matter! This is what carries "various toxins" and is "not specific to any one time or place". FPM carried AO in East Asia like it did in Western Asia.
I haven’t seen a VA or civilian doctor for over five years but that’s because the VA stopped treating me in 2019 and refuses to allow me to see a civilian primary care doctor that treats all veterans in my area except me because Las Vegas VA refuses to allow me to have medical treatment.
As of 2/16/2023 Absolutely no one has talked to me about toxic exposure for project SHAD, or agent orange in thailand, still the same shit, vietnam era vets getting the shaft, Take care of the young vets first, make the old go to the back of the line till we drop and die.
These claims take years. My dad served in Guam. Loading agent orange on planes going to Nam. He had Prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery heart disease, atrial fibrillation, had been on statins for years. He finally got macular degeneration from having diabetes. He had already been seen by 2 specialist and VA had scheduled him a 3rd dr to determine his eligibility when he was airlifted to UAB severely anemic and passed away due to complications. What happens to his claims now?
Yes Mr Secretary I was told by the VA that if you were diagnosed before the Pact Act was passed your backpay can't be paid before the Pact Act was passed...I was diagnosed with leukemia station at Clark Air Force Base Philippines 1973-1974 contaminated water was an issue The Air Force squashed all publicity about the contaminated water...I received a letter saying my claim is being processed under the new law....The VA is giving out the wrong info about backpay its retroactive if you filed before the law was passed..The Secretary needs too make sure this is what vets need too no....
I claimed TDIU unemployability in 2014 because of faulty breathing due to toxic chemicals. Dec 17, 2022 it was approved with back pay and SMC designation. This, I believe was because of PACT act attention.
Why do Gulf war veterans had a better deal on Athma claim than Vietnam veterans in that gulf war veterans with Asthma; did not have to show in service connection or diagnosis of the illness while vietnam veterans do have to show a pre existing condition or in service connection of the illness? Or am I plain wrong from what I gathered by way of info?
After over 30 years of being treated by VA Las Vegas VA refuses to treat me since 2019 . Does not allow me to have a civilian primary care doctor, who treats thousands of veterans in my area, but I’m not glad to be treated there. So I go without treatment without medication without travel without clothing allowance, and I reported to the VA Hotline they refused to do anything about it.
It's a Dog Gone Shame that Veterans Gotta Go Through All this B.S. and Will it comes to Getting Or Giving Money to Other Countries like Ukraine The Wallat of the United States US Wide Open, No Questions Asked 🤔.
PREDICTION: The US will allow foreign soldiers who fight in our proxy wars to make VA healthcare and disability claims, thus overburdening the system-as if it isn’t already-so Americans have to wait even longer before they get their claims denied.
Sorry pal. Govt gives billions to foreign countries free, but when comes to veterans, they love to count every penny, and try to reject claims, or find any way to reduce your disability percentage. They prefer you to go away fast.
How many VN veterans have given up filing claims relating to AO exposure? I'm sure the number is very high and just one more slap in the face similar to what we received when we returned from SE A so many years ago. You can read posts from vets on many videos here on RUclips and it just breaks your heart reading one story after another of the heartless treatment veterans receive for serving their country .
The VA has a problem that could easily corrected . I am a disabled veteran that is being cared for by my wife as Care Giver. We have tried over 150 times to fax in form 10009 to get her stipend check direct deposit with no answer on the fax machine which is the ONLY way to get VA to make the change .I have had several conversations with the VA in Austin Texas and since the checks come straight from the Dept. of the Treasury there is no way to mail the form in !
Hire people who are qualified to treat veterans. Also hire service officers that know what a claim looks like and it is not too damn lazy to actually process a claim..
I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2015. Claimed, denied, appealed, denied. 2021, hypothyroid is presumptive, filed new claim, date of claim changed to 2021, rated 0%. Appeal of that is now in a judges hands. The logic seems to be along the line of “You weren’t considered afflicted because we were ignorant of the poisoning’s effects, which we later admitted to, but it only became damage to you then. And it’s insignificant anyway.” Let me tell you about recurrent constipation, and trying to crap what feels like a pine cone. Dry, itchy skin, all day, every day. Elevated cholesterol, so take a statin that induces muscle cramping. Agent Orange, the gift that keeps on giving.
The VA in White River Junction Hates, me because I was genetically modified at Dulce AFb, NM because what they did to me was illegal which is on my DD-214
So what does Presumptive mean? Wasn't that what they were already suppose to do. So what will be the difference of what they were suppose to do in the pat and now making it a Law. Sorry, but they were already supposed to be doing it.
Right! But it's funny how the VBA were still denying veterans claims that had the presumptive illnesses and also were able to prove that they were in those countries listed. I'm living proof, so hopefully this PACT Act will make a difference this second time around.
@@Jason-nb7tr LMFAO I got a denial that said. Because there is no diagnosis we can not grant you for an undiagnosable condition. AND that was in 1999 LOL
The raters are poorly trained and the VA needs to get their act together. The VA is the most corrupt Government agency. STOP THE BONUSES and make management get off their rear ends and to the proper work to include training the raters.
You did not even mention Vietnam veterans and agent orange exposure that the pact act is supposed to address as well! What about us? Diabetes glaucoma hypertension neuropathy etc. The program sucked...forgetting about us.. old sick and aging!
Because we are still fighting for those reasons....that's what the bitching is about. Unless you were exposed to it back then and still dealing with those problems no need to comment!
Put Veterans on the Rating Board!!!!!!
I was an Army photographer/ Signal Officer for 22 years two of which were in Vietnam. Until the Pact Act was realized, My claims were ignored. After Pact Act I received back pay $135,000/ TDIU and designated SMC housebound.
Yes by the time they approve claims or medical treatment the veteran has already passed .
I'm one of those Toxic Water Marines stationed in Camp Lejeune from 72-75 drinking that toxic garbage daily. We ate food prepared with the poison water. According to the CDC clinical studies of TCE and PCE that 4 parts per billion can cause neurobehavioral effects. Camp Lejeune water was at 16 parts per billion! The commanding General was aware that the water was bad back then. He issued orders to clean up the marine corps of all marines with behavioral problems by kicking them out with OTH, BCD, and Dishonorable Discharges in the early seventies! I am one of those marines with an OTH. My military medical records show that I complained about blood in urine, insomnia, constant headaches, irritability, anger issues, yet the Navy Doctors did not treat us because of the toxins, they gave me Dimetapp and aspirin and sent back to the company. I have been denied treatment from the VA for over 40 years and still have not been treated for anything because of the discharge related to the water toxins. I have been denied a discharge upgrade 3 times already in the last 40 years prior to the Pact act. In fact the review board said I deserved what I got! I filed my case again in january 2023 after finding out about the CDC Clinical trials in December 2022. The Marine Corps at camp Lejeune was crazy back then with extreme violence, murders, fighting at the mess halls, bowling alley, enlisted clubs, and rioting in jacksonville, setting cars on fire, looting, fights in nightclubs, etc. all the behavioral problems was cased by the toxins in a large scale neurobehavioral catalyst of issues among us marines. It was bad enough we had to deal with racism, segregation in the company. I remember our Captain Mctiernan saying that the only difference between a spic and a spook was a speck! With his rebel flags on the wall and desk in his office. I now have 20% lung capacity, enlarged spleen by 30%, Cirrhosis of the Liver, 7mm nodules on my lungs, ear infections, headaches, insomnia, pneumonia and bronchitis already at least 4 times, lost most of my teeth due to gum disease, yet the VA refuses to treat me as of yet because of the discharge caused by the toxic water, thats the VA's excuse. The issue of marines with bad discharges because of the toxic water has to be addressed instead of sweeping it under the rug like the commanding general did on base back in the early seventies! That ruined a lot of Marine lives with that toxic water induced mentality! Semper Fi 72-75 viet Nam era vets are still being shit on! You should do a story on that issue, lets open up that can of worms and expose them!!!
The survey question should not be “Was it easy to file a claim?”; rather, it should be “Was it easy to get your claim approved?” Filling out and submitting a claim is easy. It’s the BS, incompetence of the VA, and length of time for the VA to process a claim to fruition that is the problem.
You nailed this
I sure hope that you get good honest C&P examination people and raters and adjudicator to start approving veterans for a change, please be fair with all veterans and stop discrimination against them, because you have the power of our lives in your hands, thanks again for your time and support.
Are you for real? Got approved on both my claims in 2020, so your claims of discrimination seems weak.
I went into my VA office the day before applications were being accepted(OCT 1) and by Feb 15th I was rated 100% P&T due to my advanced prostate cancer diagnosis two years ago. The VA did NOT mess around. I'm a US Navy Gulf War veteran who was constantly exposed to smoke filled air and polluted water from the oil fires and spills.
That's a great thing can you please post the district office that approved your claim. Ours is really bad. and would like to request that office look at my claim.
Biden administration = lip service.
Also, in Community Care! I have a friend who works there, she said out of 20 employees, only 2 are vets!!! That's fucking bullshit!! I really don't care how much it costs!! Take it from Congress and others that do nothing on a daily basis!
I’m already 100% P&T rated. Thought about filing a supplemental claim for Leukemia (a lymphatic & blood cancer). Was diagnosed about 3 years after retirement, but I’ve been in remission for 5 years now. Served in D Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia & Iraq
I an a Vietnam combat veteran diagnosed with small cell carcinoma caused from coming in contact with Agent Orange. I am rated 100% permanant and total,
As many watching this video will already have a VA rating I would caution you on making claims or participation in any examinations. The VA is looking a changing how rating and values are handled and processed and whenever you file for any additional claim or request examinations they can reassess ALL of your ratings and conditions, not just the item you're filing for in your claim. This may be worth keeping in mind especially if you either are 100 P&T or truly believe you will not qualify or don't want to risk your current ratings. It's sad to be worried about getting care or having to turn down care but this is how the VA rules work. I would like to see the VA guarantee Vets being screened for PACT act related issues WILL NOT put any current ratings or care at risk. Otherwise the VA are free to strip you of all they can in the illusion of HELPING.
I was going to say I’m at 100% as it is so me applying for something like this is kind of stupid
Thanks for the info. 👍🏾
I am afraid of even applying to increase the ratings, as VA is very good in finding a way to reduce, rather increase. It happened with me, although I had applied for unemploybility.
I’m 100% pt but I’m suspecting I might have lung cancer. I’m planning on filling so that my wife will receive benefits in case I die as a result of this.
@@danielhaley9997 I would say personally if I was in your place I too would file. Best of luck to you on getting through your condition.
Nobody mentions the Appeals nightmare in all this PACT crap.
Right now, the Board of Veterans Appeals is years behind! THIS DESPITE THE RECENT LAW "MODERNIZING" THE PROCESS!!!
ADDRESS THAT MISTER SECRETARY!!!
They're already doing these claims and denying them
Do you have documented proof of denials or is this your opinion based on personal experience of this most recent process?
How about Vietnam Veterans exposed to. Toxic fuels, abustos,
Viet vet, your toxin is Agent Orange. Same as me.
How about Fine Particulat Matter! This is what carries "various toxins" and is "not specific to any one time or place".
FPM carried AO in East Asia like it did in Western Asia.
Moving faster, it is easier to deny
"Automated decision tools" . This means to deny you sooner.
I haven’t seen a VA or civilian doctor for over five years but that’s because the VA stopped treating me in 2019 and refuses to allow me to see a civilian primary care doctor that treats all veterans in my area except me because Las Vegas VA refuses to allow me to have medical treatment.
What screening? They won't even check your blood and complete a DBQ.
As of 2/16/2023 Absolutely no one has talked to me about toxic exposure for project SHAD, or agent orange in thailand, still the same shit, vietnam era vets getting the shaft, Take care of the young vets first, make the old go to the back of the line till we drop and die.
Tough luck.
These claims take years. My dad served in Guam. Loading agent orange on planes going to Nam. He had Prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery heart disease, atrial fibrillation, had been on statins for years. He finally got macular degeneration from having diabetes. He had already been seen by 2 specialist and VA had scheduled him a 3rd dr to determine his eligibility when he was airlifted to UAB severely anemic and passed away due to complications. What happens to his claims now?
I was deployed to K2 during OEF 2002-2003, VA denied most of my claims in 2011.
Yes Mr Secretary I was told by the VA that if you were diagnosed before the Pact Act was passed your backpay can't be paid before the Pact Act was passed...I was diagnosed with leukemia station at Clark Air Force Base Philippines 1973-1974 contaminated water was an issue The Air Force squashed all publicity about the contaminated water...I received a letter saying my claim is being processed under the new law....The VA is giving out the wrong info about backpay its retroactive if you filed before the law was passed..The Secretary needs too make sure this is what vets need too no....
he says one thing and does another. He sucks dude, he's full of crap like all of them
I claimed TDIU unemployability in 2014 because of faulty breathing due to toxic chemicals. Dec 17, 2022 it was approved with back pay and SMC designation. This, I believe was because of PACT act attention.
I'm all for California love. 💯
What about vn vets???
Why do Gulf war veterans had a better deal on Athma claim than Vietnam veterans in that gulf war veterans with Asthma; did not have to show in service connection or diagnosis of the illness while vietnam veterans do have to show a pre existing condition or in service connection of the illness? Or am I plain wrong from what I gathered by way of info?
After over 30 years of being treated by VA Las Vegas VA refuses to treat me since 2019 . Does not allow me to have a civilian primary care doctor, who treats thousands of veterans in my area, but I’m not glad to be treated there. So I go without treatment without medication without travel without clothing allowance, and I reported to the VA Hotline they refused to do anything about it.
What about working with chemicals and toxins in your MOS? Not necessarily deployed... how about aircraft mechanics exposed to JP8??
Amen
What about veterans from service in Bosnia. Breathing all the trash toxins?
It's a Dog Gone Shame that Veterans Gotta Go Through All this B.S. and Will it comes to Getting Or Giving Money to Other Countries like Ukraine The Wallat of the United States US Wide Open, No Questions Asked 🤔.
PREDICTION: The US will allow foreign soldiers who fight in our proxy wars to make VA healthcare and disability claims, thus overburdening the system-as if it isn’t already-so Americans have to wait even longer before they get their claims denied.
Sorry pal. Govt gives billions to foreign countries free, but when comes to veterans, they love to count every penny, and try to reject claims, or find any way to reduce your disability percentage. They prefer you to go away fast.
Well we don't want a world war to pop off and we made an agreement to protect these countries.
Ukraine? How about Zionist Israel!!!
How many VN veterans have given up filing claims relating to AO exposure? I'm sure the number is very high and just one more slap in the face similar to what we received when we returned from SE A so many years ago. You can read posts from vets on many videos here on RUclips and it just breaks your heart reading one story after another of the heartless treatment veterans receive for serving their country .
If it’s denied get a lawyer to help with claim
I was made homeless in 2023 because of toxic water. They denied my claim in 2017. Trying again.
The VA has a problem that could easily corrected . I am a disabled veteran that is being cared for by my wife as Care Giver.
We have tried over 150 times to fax in form 10009 to get her stipend check direct deposit with no answer on the fax machine which is the ONLY way to get VA to make the change .I have had several conversations with the VA in Austin Texas and since the checks come straight from the Dept. of the Treasury there is no way to mail the form in !
Claims months and years to be settled
So what do they do if you have a lump on your spine but you're already at 100%
Hire people who are qualified to treat veterans. Also hire service officers that know what a claim looks like and it is not too damn lazy to actually process a claim..
I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2015. Claimed, denied, appealed, denied. 2021, hypothyroid is presumptive, filed new claim, date of claim changed to 2021, rated 0%. Appeal of that is now in a judges hands. The logic seems to be along the line of “You weren’t considered afflicted because we were ignorant of the poisoning’s effects, which we later admitted to, but it only became damage to you then. And it’s insignificant anyway.” Let me tell you about recurrent constipation, and trying to crap what feels like a pine cone. Dry, itchy skin, all day, every day. Elevated cholesterol, so take a statin that induces muscle cramping. Agent Orange, the gift that keeps on giving.
The VA in White River Junction Hates, me because I was genetically modified at Dulce AFb, NM because what they did to me was illegal which is on my DD-214
File! File! Deny, deny, deny. Oops. I thought the VA is our friend. HA HA!
What's it called and what are the symptoms? Thx
Claims wait years before there even looked at.
75% of pack claims are denied.
None it doesn’t take any time to deny claims.
So what does Presumptive mean? Wasn't that what they were already suppose to do. So what will be the difference of what they were suppose to do in the pat and now making it a Law. Sorry, but they were already supposed to be doing it.
Presumptive conditions have been around for a while. PACT Act just added new conditions and locations.
Right! But it's funny how the VBA were still denying veterans claims that had the presumptive illnesses and also were able to prove that they were in those countries listed. I'm living proof, so hopefully this PACT Act will make a difference this second time around.
@@Jason-nb7tr LMFAO I got a denial that said. Because there is no diagnosis we can not grant you for an undiagnosable condition. AND that was in 1999 LOL
Mailing address
This guy has also approved Hamas supporters to work for veterans affairs.
yes and that’s disgusting! i have seen that first hand
Tell me you're kidding me....!!!!!!
What if the veteran has passed
You hire crappy employees!!!!
The raters are poorly trained and the VA needs to get their act together. The VA is the most corrupt Government agency. STOP THE BONUSES and make management get off their rear ends and to the proper work to include training the raters.
You did not even mention Vietnam veterans and agent orange exposure that the pact act is supposed to address as well! What about us? Diabetes glaucoma hypertension neuropathy etc. The program sucked...forgetting about us.. old sick and aging!
Whats with the bitching? Agent orange exposure has been around for years prior to PACT.
Because we are still fighting for those reasons....that's what the bitching is about. Unless you were exposed to it back then and still dealing with those problems no need to comment!
@@miguelagonzalez7332 Fighting for conditions that have already been part of agent orange exposure or just added. Great plan.