The Far-Reaching Story Of Agent Orange And Neuropathy

Today's post from markrienzievietnamwar.blogspot.com (see link below) looks at a case of when history meets disease and the one causes the other. We all know there are over 100 possible causes of neuropathy but not many people know of the many cases of soldiers returning from the Vietnam War, suffering severe neuropathy from exposure to the controversial Agent Orange. The subsequent fight with the US authorities to get this recognised and compensated, has its own special niche on the internet health forums but is a subject which I'm sure will interest those people who may have heard of Agent Orange but not be aware of its side effects. Don't forget also, if hundreds of service men have been afflicted, what does that mean for the local Vietnamese population too - we'll probably never know. Following the links will lead to much more information. Fascinating read.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY and AGENT ORANGE - UPDATE 
Mark R. Rienzie Wednesday, August 19, 2015


VA presumes Veterans' early-onset peripheral neuropathy is related to their exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service when the disease appears within one year of exposure to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling by VA's rating regulations.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as a final rule its proposal to amend its adjudication: (MUST SEE)
https://neuropathyjournal.org/guidelines-for-veterans-va-proposed-law-agent-orange-and-peripheral-neuropathy/

About peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling or prickling in the toes or fingers in early stages. This may spread to the feet or hands and may cause burning, throbbing or shooting pain that is worse at night. Other symptoms include pain equally in both sides of the body (in both hands or in both feet), muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, and extreme sensitivity to touch.
Visit MedlinePlus to learn more about peripheral neuropathy, treatment, the latest medical research, and more from the National Institutes of Health.

VA benefits for early-onset peripheral neuropathy Veterans with early-onset peripheral neuropathy that appeared within one year of exposure to herbicides during service to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling by VA's rating regulations may be eligible for disability compensation and health care.
Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Korean demilitarized zone or another area where Agent Orange was sprayed may be eligible for a free Agent Orange registry health exam.



Research on peripheral neuropathy and herbicides The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences concluded in its report Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 1996 that there is some evidence to suggest that neuropathy of acute or subacute onset may be associated with herbicide exposure. Based on this evidence, VA presumed an association between herbicide exposure during service and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy.
. In respThe IOM report Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2010 concluded that there is "limited or suggestive evidence of an association" between herbicide exposure and "early-onset peripheral neuropathy that may be persistent" In response to this report, VA eliminated the requirement that acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy appear "within weeks or months" after exposure and resolve within two years. The final regulation took effect Sept. 6, 2013.




Summary -Do Not Give Up on the Compensation YOU Deserve!!
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as a final rule its proposal to amend its adjudication regulations by clarifying and expanding the terminology regarding presumptive service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. This amendment implements a decision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs based on findings from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Institute of Medicine report, Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2010. It also amends VA's regulation governing retroactive awards for certain diseases associated with herbicide exposure as required by court orders in the class action litigation of Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mark R. Rienzie
E-mail: mrienzie@msn.com
For Information Call: 516-313-3112
Co D 75 Infantry LRRP
Secrets of Vietnam: The Long Range Recon Patrolhttps://youtu.be/9rLZV6oXb3w 75th Infantry - Must See
Airborne / Ranger Team Leader

Staff Sargent (E6 11B4P)
38 Combat Missions Never Lost a Man!!Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge
Discharge: Honorable
Exposed to Agent Orange


AGENT ORANGE and HOMELESS VETERANS
http://markrienzievietnamwar.blogspot.com/2015/09/agent-orange-and-homeless-veteranc.html

Resume:
http://markrienzieresume.blogspot.com/2015/08/mark-r.html

AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE
http://markrienzievietnamwar.blogspot.com/2015/08/exposureto-agent-orange-in-vietnam-for.html

http://markrienzievietnamwar.blogspot.com/2015/08/peripheral-neuropathy-and-agent-orange.html