Walz statement on Shinseki decision to add Parkinson's Disease to Agent Orange list

When my friend, Bluestem contributor and veteran Chad served as a veterans caseworker for Congressman Walz, one of the most frustrating issues that came up was the Veterans Administration reluctance to add Parkinson's Disease in the list of presumptive illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans.

That troubled me, because I knew that Parkinson's afflicts farmers (who deal with herbicides) at a greater rate than those who don't have exposure.

A couple of former students had also written research on the struggle of the Agent Orange vets to get the VA to look at exposure to the chemical in Vietnam--and the student chose this topic after watching their own fathers' struggle with the medical consequences of Agent Orange exposure. Their passion for justice for their disabled fathers made those papers stand out in the stack of research reports.

So this news from the VA is welcomed: VA Extends 'Agent Orange' Benefits to More Veterans; Parkinson's Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized.

I missed the story when it broke last week, but it's great news. Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange who have Parkinson will now be eligible for disability benefits for this service-related illness.

KARE-11 reported earlier this month about one of the Minnesota veterans who kept the drive to change the VA rules alive.

Walz sent out statement about the decision today. Read it below the fold. I personally join him in thanking the U.S. Military Veterans with Parkinson's for winning the good fight on this one.

I am writing to inform you that Veterans' Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has made the important decision to add Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease and hairy cell leukemia to the list of presumptive illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans. I applaud Secretary Shinseki for making this decision, which will have a positive impact on thousands of America 's veterans.

VA presumes that all military personnel who served in Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange, and federal law presumes that certain illnesses are a result of that exposure. This "presumptive policy" simplifies the process of receiving compensation for these diseases since VA foregoes the normal requirements of proving that an illness began or was worsened during military service.

The decision announced this week expanded the list of presumed illnesses to include ischemic heart disease, hairy cell leukemia and Parkinson's disease. This policy change means that all service members who served in Vietnam and are suffering from these illnesses will no longer have the additional burden of proving their illness is connected to their service to our country.

I am happy the VA made this decision today, and I want to thank Secretary Shinseki for moving us in the right direction. When our warriors return home, they should always be given the benefit of the doubt, and we have an obligation to ensure that they receive the care and benefits they earned. This decision helps us fulfill the moral responsibility we owe to the men and women who have served this country.

I would also like to thank the U.S. Military Veterans with Parkinson's (USMVP) for their untiring efforts. Their advocacy and research helped VA make this important decision and their efforts will have lasting impacts on the lives of Vietnam veterans. I appreciate the close partnership and assistance they continue to give us as they advocate for our nation's veterans.

For more information about Agent Orange and VA compensation eligibility, please see http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/aono1.htm. To file a compensation claim for a current disability related to Agent Orange, veterans can call 1-800-827-1000 for an application form or visit VA's Web site at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov.

Comments

[Sharon McIntyre]

Thank you for sharing this. My husband has always said that his shaking was caused from agent orange. He has had several evaluations and they have always turned him down. Now maybe he will get what he deserves. He gave his service. Its time for them to own up to their fault in his bad health.