If anybody knows a Veteran, please tell them to consider filing a claim with the VA even if they were previously denied for certain issues. The PACT act is effective as of 01 Jan 23 and added new presumptive conditions and locations for South West Asia service as well as Vietnam and some garrison exposures. Here is the link, I am willing to answer questions within reason. https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

I'll echo this - I served (Army, 91-94) and screwed up my back but didn't bother to file a claim until 25 years later. Even though my back would "go out" every year or so leaving me unable to walk for a few days, I didn't want the stigma of getting some sort of a disability rating. Yeah, my back gives me problems, but I've managed to accomplish a lot of stuff over the years. Ran a marathon. Killed elk in the mountains with a bow and (somehow) packed them out. I thought I'd be a hypocrite if I sought a claim.

My VSO gave me some good insights on this though. Just be honest about all of it. So I was - the Doctors did their exams, took their MRIs and they acknowledged that I have issues back there there are connected to the injury I sustained while serving.

I shouldn't have waited so many years. So many chiropractor co-pays that were out of my pocket.

Get in touch with your Veteran Service Officer.

Thanks for passing on the info.

Two tours to SE Asia 72-74

Trader Vic if you haven't filed a claim and feel like you should or would like to please let me know. Im more than willing to help out fellow Vets. Feel free to pm me

Or get in contact with a VSO or Veteran service organization

Thanks for the updated Info but wondering if will this have any additional effects on the exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune 1979 - 1984, recently diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) following 10 years of being treated for Myloproliferative Disorder?
Can't get local Onocologist to say it was caused by the water but also won't say it wasn't, and Leukemia is one of the Conditions recognized as being caused by the water

I was doing some work at a VA office and was just inquiring as to what they do and they asked if I was a vet. When I said yes, they immediately wanted me to start filling out claims. They said they’d get me paid for something. I’m just not that kind of person. I feel there’s others that could benefit and I can’t think of anything I could claim. I make good money, have good insurance, and I’m financially sound. About the only thing I’ve ever taken advantage of from being a vet is my drivers license for free. Now I do take advantage of sales on Veterans Day from some of my online outdoors stores. But I buy from them throughout the year and save the extremely large purchases until then.
The way they “jumped” me about filing claims was sorta sketchy, lol.

Jingles I'll look at the dates when I'm in the office tomorrow shoot me a pm, generally speaking we don't need a doctor to say a presumptive was due to the water. We need proof of service that puts you there during the designated dates and a current diagnosis. As a disclaimer I make no guarantees of compensation and am asking for no compensation for providing assistance just looking to help fellow Vets that enjoy trapping.

Yes, file a VA claim and don't go thru the lawyers on TV. I started drawing disability from the water at camp Lejeune about 10 years ago. I got kidney cancer and had to have a pacemaker installed. If you have a lawyer file for you, they get 40 percent plus 3 percent expenses. You pay then get to repay the VA 100 percent of the award before you get a monthly check. If you go thru the VA, you get back pay from the date you filed the claim. You'll probably get 100 percent which is a lot of money.

Wanna be, that's sad shouldn't happen that way. I want to see Veterans taken care of but by no means would I tell a Veteran to file a claim if they didn't want to. I try to be as responsible with tax payor dollars as possible. I just hate to see people suffer in silence and if some one is hurt or in need and they have served our great nation I would not only be letting them down but myself as well if I didn't help were I could. That is something that would keep me up at night

I would agree, if you need assistance filing the claim a service organization is free and helpful, I can also talk to you about that

Spike if your condition has gotten worse and it's documented I suggest you file a claim and ask for an increase if your not already 100%

I’m with you. There are a lot more vets out there that need it. If I thought I needed it, I’d file something. My hearing sucks, but that could be with age.

You need to get registered at a VAMC, and get an evaluation done pronto!

It's my understanding that a private lawyer gets 25% of the first check, and then it's all your's. Go thru the VA Service Officers FIRST, and you likely won't need one.

You don't have to be registered at a VAMC if you have a diagnosis that is a presumptive condition for the claim you are filing as long as you can present medical documentation, again no guarantees made

You need to be registered to see the Doc's that do the evals, AND, you may not NEED the VA services NOW, but you might need it later.

If you file a claim and we can order an exam, it may be provided by a contract vendor or by a VAMC, no prior registration is required

If you feel what I am saying is incorrect please reach out to your VSO or service organization, if you have questions I would be more than happy to answer them for you but I don't want other Veterans to be confused