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Q216: I have talked to several Vietnam veterans who encourage me to apply to apply for VA disability benefits. I have a bunch of ailments that started from my time in the service, especially my time in Vietnam. I served as a grunt. I have hearing problems, back problems, skin problems, and many more ailments. Would it be a good idea for me to apply for benefits? What do you think?
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A1: yes , well worth the time, you should qualify for hearing aids and some disability. fellow vietnan vet. (RS) 12/7/18
A2: Do it. I, like you, was a ground pounder, encouraged by my friends & fellow vets to make a claim because I had prostate cancer due to Agent Orange. Finally after 46 yrs I did so. Turns out I was suffering from PTSD & never realized it. Always thought that was just the way I was supposed to feel. I now receive a 70% disability rating for PTSD, minor combat wounds, & Prostate cancer. Just do it. (CC) 12/7/18
A3: You should apply for anything you think is service connected but the conditions you have need to be specifically connected to Agent Orange. PTSD is connected but you have to convince a Dr. that it is related to your service overnight. Understand this does not happen overnight but could take years to get a Service Connected Disability.
You will not get a service connection on hearing loss, maybe hearing aids, but you have to have Tenitis, ringing in the ear to get a service connecting disability and that is only 10% rating. Get with a Service Officer with a Veterans Orginization to help you. You will get help going to the VA Hospital but you will only get a Disability Rating if you have a Service Connected Disability such as Diabetes's, certain types of Cancer, certain types of Heart Disease, Kidney Disease. So only specific medical diagnosis will grant you a monthly Disability rating. Hope that helps. (DC) 12/7/18
A4: Get your butt to the nearest Veterans Service Organization 25 years ago. (BL) 12/7/18
A5: You should absolutely apply if you feel that your ailments are service connected and from your comments I believe they are. I would advise you to speak to your friends and ask them if they know of a service officer who has helped them. A competent service officer will guide you and help you through the VA system. You should never try to deal with the VA bureaucracies without a competent representative. Having said that, in our area I believe that I receive better medical than I was receiving in the civilian medical system. You served your country. You EARNED the benefits you will receive. Please don't wait to apply. (LL) 12/7/18
A6: Yes! (CS) 1/1/19
A7: Yes, PTSD, Anxiety and depression and check the presumptive illness list for agent orange. In addition, if you were a gunt, for sure you are a candidate for Ptsd. Check with a veteran service officer (VSO) in your local area. (AD) 11/24/19