Cash For Vietnam Veterans With Diabetes Or Heart Disease

By Terry Douglas, Maryland Elder Law Attorney

Did you serve in the Vietnam War? Did you know that there is a cash benefit for certain Vietnam veterans with type 2 diabetes or heart disease?

Who is eligible? Veterans who have a medical condition that is related to military service and was honorably discharged.

If you were in Vietnam or the Korean DMZ, chances are that you were exposed to Agent Orange, a herbicide chemical sprayed in the jungles of Vietnam. There was also Agent Purple, Agent Green, and Agent Pink, which were part of the “rainbow herbicides” used to defoliate the jungles of Vietnam. These chemicals were also used by the military in the United States. Because of it, many veterans are sick today.

The cash benefit is the VA's Service Connected Disability Compensation. The benefits are tax-free and paid monthly to you.

What are some of the presumptive conditions? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumes that certain disabilities were caused by your military service.

ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease
Chloracne
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Hodgkin's disease
Ischemic Heart Disease
Mesothelioma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Parkinson's
Peripheral neuropathy
Prostate cancer
Respiratory cancer (lung, bronchus, trachea, larynx)

If you have these conditions or a secondary condition related to the illness or disease, you may be entitled to a monthly financial benefit.

How much can you receive? It depends on your rating and severity of the disability. You could be paid extra money if you are married or have dependents. The amount can be anywhere between a few hundred dollars a month and up to $3,000 or more per month.

The VA rates the disabilities at 10% intervals between 0% and 100%. The amount of pay depends on the disability rating.

What about atomic radiation? Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation from atomic weapons andnuclear reactorsalso have presumptive conditions. There are 21 different types of cancers related to radiation exposure. I recommend that any veteran who was exposed to radiation and later develops cancer to apply for VA Disability Compensation.

If your service in Vietnam was combat-related, you may be entitled to additional money. This is called Special Compensation, and the Department of Defense will match what you will receive from the VA, dollar for dollar, tax-free.

Can I get free medication from the VA? Once you are in the VA system, a veteran can receive incompetence supplies, prescriptions drugs, and hearing aids for little to no cost.

How do you get started? Locate your DD 214 discharge papers.

Where can you get more information?

Call the Agent Orange Hotline at (800) 749-8387

Email AOHelpline@vba.va.gov

Visit www.va.gov/compensation

Or, contact

Your local Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000

A Veterans Services Organization, such as DAV, AmVets, American Legion, or Vietnam Veterans of America

An attorney who is accredited by the VA.