October is Agent Orange Awareness Month

[Dan Arnes]

Click below:
Agent Orange Awareness Month

Dan

[Mike McNaull, SW-81]

Contact your closest VA and ask for an Agent Orange Evaluation.  I had one last December 2013 and a chest x-ray that showed a nodule by my lungs, got a Cat Scan. I don't have any big issues but get annual CT's to keep an eye on it.  My last one was in May and I go back next year.  The VA might try to blow you off but press for the evaluation.  I hadn't had a chest x-ray in years and because I went for the Agent Orange Evaluation they found these pulmonary nodules.

[KLowe]

Just curious if there were specific tests you had to ask for or just schedule an evalustion through your primary care person?

[Rick Meussner]

It's called the Agent Orange Registry Health Exam for Veterans. VA's Agent Orange Registry health exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure during their military service. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively. Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about getting an Agent Orange Registry health exam. About the Agent Orange Registry health exam This comprehensive health exam includes an exposure history, medical history, physical exam, and any tests if needed. A VA health professional will discuss the results face-to-face with the Veteran and in a follow-up letter.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/benefits/registry-exam.asp

[KLowe]

I've had the registry exam about four years ago. I was wondering if there were follow-up exams or we just have to wait until a problem occurs.

[Mike McNaull, SW-81]

As Rick related, I went in for blood work and a chest x-ray.  About an hour later when all the test results were in I had a 1 hour sit down discussing my medical/military history.  This is where the nodule was noted.  Because I live 90 miles away, she worked her magic to get me a Ct Scan right away.  I then saw her again to discuss the Ct results.  I went home and contacted a specialist at the University of Virginia for another evaluation.  I had a 6 month follow-up in July and now go back next year.  

If you have any questions, go see your doc for another physical.  

Here in our part of WV, the VA has been very good.

[kid purington]

..After my prostate cancer episode,, i was advised to file an Agent Orange claim,,i was given 100% for AO.
...So if you fall under any of the AO diagnoses,,file a claim ...

Thanks Dan....

[Paul Albertine]

chest xrays, up till about 10 year ago, was the only indicator they had for "spots" on a lung...chest xrays have never been able to view the bottom, horizontal flat part of the lung...so a chest x ray could prove negative... about 5 years ago I had a CT scan for a reason not involving the lungs but they scanned the lung to get the view of the kidney (be careful, I flunked anatomy and physiology the first time around)... they informed me I had a spot on the flat bottom of the lung....went to an old pulmonologist "a younger doc would tell you to have surgery and cut it out, their your lungs but I would recommend getting another CT scan in 6 months, a year, and 18 months...if it doesn't change it's probably been there your entire life and I wouldn't worry about it....yada yada yada quit drinking, loose weight, get some exercise and make damn sure you pay my bill"...   so, not to worry in most cases, but make sure you get the CT scan...  

and quit drinking, lose weight, get some exercise and all the other stuff....  

best of luck to all with any health condition, we have remarkable health care, physician, nurses etc...