Us Too Helps Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Fight Cancer
July 11, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY– As a member of the U.S. Navy, Jerry Jewell spent eighteen years defending the country in locations around the globe. His service included two tours of duty aboard the U.S.S. Constitution during the Vietnam War. Jewell, a member of the ship’s fighter squadron, served in the ‘Blue Water Navy’ from 1968 through 1969 and returned for a second tour in late 1969 through the spring of 1970.
During this time, forces were utilizing the powerful defoliating chemical, Agent Orange, in its efforts to uncover Viet Cong forces hiding throughout the war zone. Now, over thirty years later, the government recognizes Agent Orange as a source of many autoimmune diseases including diabetes and many forms of cancer.
Jewell discovered he had prostate cancer during a routine trip to his Urologist. After a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test came back elevated, he fought the cancer with proton radiation treatments funded by his private insurance. With his cancer in remission, Jewell now works to help other veterans gain access to first class care regardless of their financial status.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that a positive association exists between exposure to herbicides and the subsequent development of adenocarcinoma of the prostate (and 10 other diseases). Veterans who served in between January 9, 1962 and May 5, 1975 and develop prostate cancer qualify for compensation no matter when the prostate cancer develops.
Veterans who served in in 1968 or 1969 may also qualify. Navy and Coast Guard personnel who served aboard ships off the Vietnamese coast, or “Blue Water Navy,”are seeking inclusion in the Agent Orange program and are encouraged to apply for benefits. Us TOO of , a Prostate Cancer awareness and support group, is working to inform veterans of the potential government aid available to them.
To apply for benefits, veterans may submit a Veteran’s Application for Compensation or Pension (VA Form 21-526) immediately after being diagnosed with prostate cancer – prior to any treatment – to initially qualify for a 100 percent disability rating for at least six months. Applications filed after treatment may not be approved with a presumption that the cancer is cured, though may qualify for a reduced disability rating if treatment resulted in side effects.
“Veterans need to know that they have to file their paperwork and receive approval from the Veterans’ Administration before seeking treatment for their cancer. The VA will only pay for treatment if paperwork is received in advance,” said Jewell.
While the forms are available from the VA, Jewell strongly suggests utilizing a Veteran Service Officer (VSRs) to ensure the proper paperwork is correctly filed. “Veteran Service Officer’s are veterans serving other veterans. We know the routine and what documentation is needed for the paperwork. We also lend our services to others for free,” said Jewell.
Dale Graham, agrees, “The paperwork required to receive compensation is confusing because of the amount of information the government requires. If a person is unfamiliar with the process, it is can be very challenging to complete.” Veteran Service Officers are located at all VA Regional Offices, in VA medical centers and at most VA clinics. For help locating a VSR near you, contact the VA Benefits office: 1-800-827-1000.
Jewell and Graham, along with other volunteers, work twice weekly with veterans filing Agent Orange claims. The group helps about 50 veterans per session file claims and learn about disability benefits available to them. As veterans age, the number of people the group helps also continues to rise. “The effects of Agent Orange are really coming to light now, 35 years after many veterans did their tour of duty in ,” said Graham. “I’ve been a VSR for about 15 years now and the number of veterans seeking help has really risen in the last five or six years.”
Veterans who meet Agent Orange compensation requirements will need a copy of DD Form 214 verifying their presence in , and a copy of the prostate biopsy pathology report. (If unable to locate the DD Form 214, a veteran service officer or the VA can assist in obtaining a copy.)
Once the paperwork is filed, a response from the VA can be expected in 30 days to nine months. Most veterans will begin getting compensation for their treatments about three months after filing.
Us TOO of is an organization of prostate cancer survivors and their partners, affiliated with a nationwide network of men helping men. We recognize the special needs of prostate cancer patients and their families. Monthly meetings feature health professionals who provide valuable information, as well as the opportunity for patients and their spouses to discuss problems and anxieties related to prostate cancer, with the goal of improving the quality of life. Too of Central Oklahoma is sponsored by and Integris Health.
Filing Information
Assistance with VA Claims Applications is FREE from these Veterans’ Service Organizations:
- Department of Veterans Affairs: 405-521-3684
Regional offices in , , and and Veterans Service Representatives travel throughout all counties in offering assistance. (www.odva.state.ok.us includes a link to this travel schedule)
- American Legion: Dept Svc Office for 918-781-7760 or office with the hospital 405-270-0501 x5481
- Veterans of : 800-VVA-1316 The director of veterans benefits will connect you with a service representative in your area – they have 4 in . You can also go to www.vva.org and click on “Benefits” to locate a service representative.
- Armed Forces Services Corporation(services for members only): 888-237-2872
- Disabled American Veterans: 918-781-7764 (Power of Attorney required for their assistance)
- Veterans of Foreign Wars of the : VFW Assistant Department Service Officer c/o VA 405-270-0501 ext. 5476
Other cancers presumptively recognized for service connection as having been associated with exposure to Agent Orange:
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Respiratory Cancers (including lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea)
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
- Multiple Myeloma
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Other conditions presumptively recognized for service connection as having been associated with exposure to Agent Orange:
An abundance of information regarding Veterans and Agent Orange can be found at www.VA.gov/AgentOrange.