Did you serve during the Vietnam Theater between 1962-1975 – Land, Sea or Air?
MOST LIKELY YOU WERE EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE
Even if you were not in the specific areas where it was recorded to have been sprayed with chemicals, there is a good chance you were exposed because of over-spraying, wind drifts, food and water contamination, besides the high incidence of unrecorded sprayings. Helicopter pilots have developed related fatal illnesses from having flown unknowingly through contaminated clouds and transporting the chemical containers. Men have died that were in non-combat positions, miles from the fighting and the jungle. Women who served as nurses, far from the front lines, have suffered the painful losses of miscarriages, stillbirths, and babies born with the severe birth defects, including Spina bifida.
There is no way to determine how many Vietnam Veterans, veterans serving in Korea in 1968-1969, and military civilian personnel have died without knowing the connection of their illnesses to Agent Orange and other related chemical compounds. The civilian medical world does not respond well to the relationship of Agent Orange and Veterans illnesses. There is a lack of communication from the Veterans Administration regarding their on-going studies and findings. Also, there are many variables involved as to the amount of chemicals sprayed, where spraying occurred, whom it was sprayed on, and the effects on humans.
Unfortunately, the numbers speak for themselves – over 2.5 MILLION troops were exposed during that time frame (1962-1975) and over a quarter million have already died from Agent Orange related diseases that we know of.
This information could assist in expanding your life span- You need to take this information to your private health care provider and to your local VA Medical Center and tell them you want to be screened YEARLY for the cancers and conditions listed below. If something does develop, please register at the nearest VA Agent Orange Registry in your local VA Medical Center, so that you and your family can receive the services and benefits for which you may qualify.
The VA provides an annual Agent Orange and Persian Gulf Review brochure with the latest information on medical studies, legislation and services available through the VA in relation to illnesses, Agent Orange and other chemicals. Brochures are available at VA Medical Centers, Agent Orange/Persian Gulf Registry Departments, and by requesting to be added to the mailing list of Department of Veteran Affairs at (202)273-8580.