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Q748: Why are compensation claims being denied for exposure to Agent Orange while serving in South Korea from 1968 to 1975? It was sprayed all over South Korea and not just the DMZ.
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A1: I served in Korea in 1968-69 at Camp Casey and our unit (31st Artillery) conducted regular field exercises near the DMZ. I have two presumptive diseases recognized by VA as being caused by exposure to Agent Orange. After multiple denials from VA's Evidence Intake Center I requested review by the Board of Veterans Appeal of all medical records, 23 support letters from veterans who served during the same time period and other documentation in order to get service connection for the diseases. The Board approved service connection within 45 days. The claim was returned to the Evidence Intake Center for disability rating and a rating of zero percent was assigned for both prostate cancer and multiple myeloma (an incurable disease). The results from annual exams since completion of chemotherapy confirm the disease persists and I am awaiting the review and decision from VA. If negative, I will request review by the Board. If you have service connection for your medical condition(s), I recommend submitting your documentation to the Board for review and a decision. VA has sent me to multiple outside medical contractors for exams and review of my medical documentation and the contractors' reports have resulted in VA approval of some disability. I hope this will help you but the success I have had in getting approval and a disability rating has been through the Board and reports from VA medical contractors. I submitted my disability claim in February 2012 and am continuing to submit medical evidence to support the claim. It has not been easy dealing with VA and is best to be patient and persistent. If I did not have a valid claim with substantial, relevant supporting evidence, I would have given up long ago so continue to persist and do not let VA wear you down. (HL) 7/2/21
A2: Because they deny claims for those, exposed, who served in Vietnam. (JM) 7/2/21
A3: Veterans who served in a unit in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971 are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. This is what VA law states. When you file your claim for compensation, the VA has to determine what unit you served in and if the unit was one of the units that was assigned on or near the DMZ. If the unit is one of the units, then you can be service connected for one of the presumptive disabilities related to exposure to AO. Veterans that weren't actually assigned to one of those units must prove to the VA that you were actually there. Some vets worked with these units temporarily and hopefully have retained some of those records proving this. Buddy statements can help. (DS) 7/2/21