NJ Veteran Journal - Spring 2011 Edition

Spring 2011 Edition

NJDMAVA Veterans

About NJ Veteran Journal:
The New Jersey Veteran Journal is an official publication of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is intended to serve New Jersey's veterans, their families, friends and concerned individuals and groups. All correspondence should be sent to:

Veteran Journal Editor, NJDMAVA/PA, PO Box 340,
Trenton, NJ 08625-0340

Agent Orange Update

By Al Bucchi, Director of Veterans Services

The VA has recently identified three more diseases associated with Agent Orange Exposure.

They are ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease and chronic B-cell leukemia. See the box below for a list of the diseases associated with Agent Orange Exposure. Vietnam veterans who have experience these diseases should immediately file a claim.

Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits for diseases recognized as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. Surviving spouses, children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and died as the result of diseases associated with Agent Orange may be eligible for survivors' benefits.

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veteran Service Officers can help veterans navigate through the Veterans Administrations system.

Our VSOs will gather the information necessary to support, file and track a claim through the VA system. They can also assist in filing appeals for denied claims. This service is free of charge. Their expertise can help avoid the pitfalls and delays that missing paperwork or improperly filled out claims forms can cause. Every day, DMAVA Veteran Service Officers help deserving veterans and their families collect thousands of dollars in retroactive compensation plus monthly compensations.

We encourage all veterans to contact a VSO to find out what Federal and State benefits they are entitled to. For more information and a detailed list of services available to New Jersey veterans, you can contact the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs at 1-888-8NJ-VETS or on the web at www.state.nj.us/military.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE

Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy is a nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides and resolve within two years after the date it began.

AL Amyloidosis is caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs.

Chloracne (or similar acneform disease) occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.

Chronic B-cell Leukemia affects white blood cells. VA's regulation recognizing all chronic B-cell leukemias as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on Oct. 30, 2010.

Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) is characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body's inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.

Hodgkin's Disease is characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen and progressive anemia.

Ischemic Heart Disease is characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain. VA's regulation recognizing ischemic heart disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on Oct. 30, 2010.

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma affects the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue.

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement. VA's regulation recognizing Parkinson's disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on Oct. 30, 2010.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda is characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sunexposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.

Prostate Cancer is one of the most common cancers among men.

Respiratory Cancers include cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea and bronchus.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma) is a group of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels and the connective tissues.