Chloracne: A skin condition that looks like common forms of acne seen in teeagers. The first sign may be excessive oiliness of the skin. This is accompanied or followed by numerous blackheads. In mild cases, the blackheads may be limited to the areas around the eyes extending to the temples. In more severe cases, blackheads may appear in many places, especially over the cheekbone and other facial areas, behind the ears, and along the arms.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A group of malignant tumors (cancers) that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue. These tumors are relatively rare compared to other types of cancer, and although survival rates have improved during the past two decades, these diseases tend to be fatal.
Soft tissue sarcoma: A group of different types of malignant tumors (cancers) that arise from body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues (not in hard tissue such as bone or cartilage). These cancers are in the soft tissue that occurs within and between organs.
Hodgkin's disease: A malignant lymphoma characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
Porphyria cutanea tarda: A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas.
Multiple myeloma: A cancer of specific bone marrow cells that is characterized by bone marrow tumors in various bones of the body.
Respiratory cancers: Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
Prostate cancer: Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men.
Peripheral neuropathy (transient acute or subacute): A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. This condition affects only the peripheral nervous system, that is, only the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord. Only the transietn acute (short-term) and subacute forms of this condition (not the chronic persistent form) have been associated with herbicide exposure.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (regulations pending): A disease that progresses slowly with increasing production of excessive numbers of white blood cells.
Spina bifida (in the children of Vietnam veterans):A neural tube birth defect that results from the failure of the bony portion of the spine to close properly in the developing fetus during early pregnancy.
Diabetes mellitus: Often referred to as Type 2 diabetes; a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body's inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.
Other (than spinal bifida) disabilities in the children of women Vietnam veterans: Covered birth defects include a wide range of conditions. Eighteen defects are specifically included and others not specifically excluded are covered.
VA CLAIMS SECONDARY TO DIABETES
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
In this chronic disease, atherosclerosis narrows the coronary arteries, the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. As the coronary arteries narrow, the chest pain called angina may be triggered. And the risk of a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which occurs when a coronary artery is blocked completely, is increased. Coronary artery disease currently affects 11 million people in the United States.
RIGHT UPPER EXTREMITY DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
LEFT UPPER EXTREMITY DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
RIGHT LOWER EXTREMITY DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
LEFT LOWER EXTREMITY DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
Examinations for diabetic neuropathy assess muscle strength, deep tendon reflexes, and sense of touch (temperature, pinprick or pressure sensation, vibratory sensation, position sense). Different functions are affected in different individuals, and symptoms may be out of proportion to the findings on examination. Diagnostic criteria are based on some combination of symptoms, focused neurologic examination, nerve conduction studies, and special quantitative sensory tests, but some tests are difficult and time consuming, and not all are ordinarily done.
RIGHT FOOT ONYCHOMYCOSIS
What are the skin complications? In addition to infections (for example, Candida, dermatophytes, and bacterial infections) and ulcers, there are several specific conditions that may affect diabetics. Onychomycosis due to Epidermophyton floccosum (Toenail Fungus)
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
The examiner reviewed the medical records, examined the veteran, and provided the diagnosis of: Diabetes Mellitus. The examiner noted conditions as being secondary to the diabetes: Erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and neuropathy. The veteran reported to the examiner that attempts to alleviate the erectile dysfunction with medication had failed.
ANALYSIS: Entitlement to special monthly compensation is warranted in this case because criteria regarding loss of use of a creative organ were met from This case has been reviewed pursuant to the class action Nehmer v. United States Veterans Administration, Civil Action No. C86-6 160 TEll (N.D.). An effective date of 04-30-0 1 has been assigned. This is the date on which the VA received the claim that resulted in the grant of compensation. The rule stated in 38 USC 5110(g) and 38 CFR 3.114 that an award based on liberalizing law may not be effective earlier than the effective date of the new law does not apply to Nehmer cases.
RENAL DISEASE
You need to have your doctor request regular 24 hour urine protein tests. They give you a plastic jug and you take it home, follow the directions and fill it up over 24 hours and then return it to the lab. They should also do a creatine test. The lab report will tell you the amount of microalbumin present. Creatin tests will also give an indication of the amount of renal damage and the efficiency of your kidneys. In order to be valid or acceptable to the VA there needs to be several 24 hour tests over a period.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
impairment or loss of vision due to damage to the blood vessels of the retina.
CATARACT
clouding or opaqueness of the lens of the eye.
GLAUCOMA
Increased fluid pressure in the eye. Causes loss of visual fields due to optic nerve damage.
Types of Cancer
1. Cancer of the Bronchus
2. Cancer of the Larynx
3. Lung Cancer
4. Cancer of the Trachea
5. Prostate Cancer
6. Hodgkin's Disease
7. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
8. Multiple Myeloma
9. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Soft Tissue Sarcomas***
1. Adult Fibrosarcoma
2. Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
3. Angiosarcoma
4. Clear Cell Sarcoma of Apaneuroses
5. Clear Cell Sarcoma of Tendons
6. Congenital Fibrosarcoma
7. Dermotofibrosarcoma Protuberans
8. Ectomesenchymoma
9. Epithelioid Malignant
10. Leiomyosarcoma
11. Epithelioid Malignant Schwannoma
12. Epithelioid Sarcoma
13. Extraskeletal Ewing's Sarcoma
14. Hemangiosarcoma
15. Infantile Fibrosarcoma
16. Leiomyosarcoma
17. Liposarcoma
18. Lymphangiosarcoma
19. Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma
20. Malignant Ganglioneuroma
21. Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath
22. Malignant Glandular Schwannoma
23. Malignant Glomus Tumor
24. Malignant Granular cell Tumor
25. Malignant Hemangiopericytoma
26. Malignant Schwannoma with Rhabdomyoblastic differentiation
27. Proliferationg (Systemic)
28. Angiendotheliomatosis
29. Rhabdomyosarcoma
30. Synovial Sarcoma
Other Conditions
1. Chloracne
2. Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
3. Diabetes Mellitus, Type II and all related complications
4. Spina Bifida in children of male Vietnam Veterans
5. Birth Defects in children of female Vietnam Veterans
6. Any other cancer that can be linked to the chemicals contained in the
herbicide known as "Agent Orange" by a creditable source, i.e.: Doctor, Scientists, etc.
7. Residuals (Secondary conditions attributed to the primary condition) of
all of the above
*Surviving Spouses and Dependent Children may qualify for benefits
**8-16-06 federal court ordered VA to include Blue Water Navy, VA has created
STAY of decisions
***Other than: Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma
In mid-1978, the Veterans Administration, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), set up a register of Vietnam Veterans who were worried that they may have been exposed to chemical herbicides which might be causing a variety of ill effects and who took an extensive medical examination offered at all VA health care facilities. The Agent Orange Registry is a computerized index of those examinations.
What should a participating veteran expect?
Each veteran participating in this voluntary program, offered at all VA medical centers, is given the following baseline laboratory studies: chest x-ray (if one has not been done within the past 6 months); complete blood count; blood chemistries, and enzyme studies; and urinalysis. Particular attention is paid to the detection of chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarde, soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, respiratory cancers, multiple myeloma, prostrate cancer, and peripheral neuropathy. Evidence is also sought concerning the following potentially relevant symptoms or conditions: altered sex drive; congenital deformities (birth defects, including spina bifida) among children [(the Vet's children)]; repeated infections, nervous system disorders; sterility; and difficulties in carrying pregnancies to term.
How does a veteran benefit from taking the Agent Orange Registry examination?
The examination provides the participating veteran with an opportunity to receive a complete health evaluation and answers to questions concerning the current state of knowledge regarding the possible relationship between herbicide exposure and subsequent health problems. Following completion of the examination, the veteran is given results of the physical exam and laboratory studies. This information is provided to the veteran by both a face-to-face discussion with a physician familiar with the health aspects of the Agent Orange issue and a follow-up letter summarizing results of the examination. Occasionally, previously undetected medical problems are found. With prompt attention, many times these illnesses can be successfully treated. Registry participants are automatically added to the mailing list for the "Agent Orange Review," a newsletter that provides valuable information about Agent Orange developments. The Registry permits VA to contact veterans for further testing if continuing research efforts should make this action advisable. Following decisions by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the past several years to recognize additional illnesses as service-connected, VA contacted Registry participants with these diagnoses to urge them to file claims for disability compensation.
Does the Agent Orange Registry have an impact on research efforts?
VA scientists carefully review Registry data. The Registry provides a means of detecting clues or suggestions of specific health problems in the event that unexpected or unusual health trends show up in this group of veterans. Such clues could then form the basis for the design and conduct of specific scientific studies
Who is eligible?
Any veteran, male or female, who had active military service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, and expresses a concern relating to exposure to herbicides, may participate in the Registry. Eligible veterans who want to participate in this program should contact the nearest VA medical facility for an appointment. A veteran who did not serve in Vietnam is not eligible for the Agent Orange Registry examination. Similarly, the spouses and children of veterans are not eligible for this examination.
What are the limitations and uses of the Registry?
No special Agent Orange tests are offered since there is no test to show if a veteran's medical problem was caused by Agent Orange or other herbicides used in Vietnam. There are tests that show the level of dioxin in human fat and blood, but such tests are used for research and are not done by VA because there is serious question about their value to veterans.
It is important to understand that the Agent Orange Registry is not a scientific study. Because of the self-selected nature of the Registry participants (that is, the individuals decide themselves to be part of the Registry, rather than being "chosen" in a scientific manner), this group of veterans cannot, with any scientific validity, be viewed as being representative of Vietnam veterans as a whole. Therefore, the health-related information collected cannot be used for scientific research. The information can, however, be used to detect possible health trends, as noted above, and can provide some useful facts about the group itself. For example, it is possible to show the numbers in each branch of military service, the period(s) of service in Vietnam, kinds of symptoms veterans are experiencing, and some of the results of the physical examinations. From this type of information, it is possible to develop the relative frequency or internal proportional distribution of certain health problems. That is, we could find that health conditions "A" is appearing in five times as many Registry participants as problem "B." However, since participation in the Registry program is entirely voluntary, one cannot make statistically valid comparisons directly between this group of veterans and other groups of veterans or on-veterans.
Who has participated in this Registry?
More than 250,000 Vietnam veterans have already participated in this program. Although the program is approximately 18 years old, many veterans are still contacting the VA each week for their initial Registry examination. Many of these veterans have no medical problems; others present a wide range of ailments. Veterans interested in receiving the Agent Orange Registry examination should contact the nearest VA medical center.
If a veteran who has participated in the Agent Orange Registry examination program changes residence who should he or she contact?
A veteran who moves after receiving the Agent Orange examination should contact the Agent Orange Coordinator at the nearest VA medical center and the Agent Orange Clerk (200/197B), VA Automation Center, 1615 Woodward Street, Austin, Texas 78772-0001. Both the old and new addresses should be indicated.
If a Vietnam veteran receives an Agent Orange Registry examination, does that automatically make him or her eligible for disability compensation?
No. Veterans who wish to be considered for disability compensation must file a claim for that benefit. Many Agent Orange Registry participants have no medical problems. For more information regarding disability compensation, see Agent Orange Brief, B3.
When will the Agent Orange Registry examination program be ended?
There are no plans to stop the Registry. The examinations will continue for the foreseeable future.
Who should be contacted for additional information regarding the Agent Orange Registry?
At each VA medical center there is a "Registry Physician" responsible for the conduct of Agent Orange Registry examinations. These individuals participate in regularly scheduled nationwide conference calls and receive mail outs from VA headquarters updating them on the latest developments on Agent Orange. Each medical center also has an Agent Orange Coordinator who has a great deal of information about the Agent Orange Registry and related matters. VA medical center libraries also have considerable information, including books and videotapes, regarding Agent Orange. The Environmental Agents Service (131), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420, is another good source of information on this subject.
Disabilities other than spinal bifida in the children of Women Vietnam Veterans:
Covered birth defects include a wide range conditions. Eighteen defects are specifically included and others not specifically excluded arecovered. For more information, contact a veteran services representative at 1-800-827-1000.
Covered birth defects include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
1. achondroplasia,
2. cleft lip and cleft palate,
3. congenital heart disease,
4. congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot),
5. esophageal and intestinal atresia,
6. Hallerman-Streiff syndrome,
7. hip dysplasia,
8. Hirschprung�s disease (congenital megacolon),
9. hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis,
10. hypospadias,
11. imperforate anus,
12. neural tube defects,
13. Poland syndrome,
14. pyloric stenosis,
15. sundactyly (fused digits),
16. tracheoesophageal fistula,
17. undescended testicle, and
18. Williams syndrome.
These diseases are not tied to herbicides, including Agent Orange, or dioxin exposure, but rather to service in Vietnam.
BIRTH DEFECT DEFINITIONS
Some definitions below of those that are not obvious of the defect name itself for your reference.
Achondroplasia = A child with achondroplasia has a relatively normal torso and short arms and legs. The upper arms and thighs are more shortened than the forearms and lower legs. Generally, the head is large, the forehead is prominent, and the nose is flat at the bridge. Sometimes, the large head size reflects hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain), and requires surgery.
Esophageal and intestinal atresia = The absence or closure of a normal body orifice or tubular passage such as the anus, intestine, esophagus, or external ear canal.
Hallerman-Streiff syndrome = Hallerman-Streiff syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a peculiar bird facies, mandibular and maxillary hypoplasia, dyscephaly, cataracts, microphtalmia, hypotrichosis, skin atrophy, and short stature. Dental abnormalities are present in 80 percent of the cases and include malocclusion, crowding, severe caries, supernumerary and neonatal teeth, enamel hypoplasia, hypodontia, premature eruption of primary dentition, agenesis of permanent teeth, and anterior displacement or absence of condyles
Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis = Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek: "hydro" means water, "cephalus" means head. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the brain.
Aqueductal stenosis is the enlargement of the lateral and 3rd ventricles with a normal 4th ventricle.
Hypospadias = Hypospadias is a birth defect found in boys in which the urinary tract opening is not at the tip of the penis.
Imperforate anus = Imperforate anus is a congenital absence or obstruction of the anal opening.
Neural tube defects (including spina bifida, encephalocele, and anencephaly)
An encephalocele is the herniation of the brain through a congenital or traumatic opening in the cranium. Alterations and distortions of the surrounding facial structures, such as deformities of the naso-orbital skeleton due to an absence or separation of bone in the midline of the face, are complications of encephaloceles due to their position and size.
An anencephaly is the neural tube is a narrow sheath that folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th wks of pregnancy (roughly 21 to 28 days after conception) to form the brain and spinal cord. When the cephalic or head end of the tube fails to close properly, it results in the absence of the major portion of the brain, skull and at times scalp. Infants are born without a fore-brain (the thinking and coordinating area) and are usually blind, deaf, and unconscious and are unable to feel pain. Infants may exhibit reflex actions, such as respiration and responses to touch and sound.
Poland syndrome =Poland syndrome consists of a deficiency of subcutaneous fat and muscles on one side of the body. It may include underdevelopment of the arm, hand, and fingers on the same side, and may be associated with other conditions such as Moebius syndrome or Klippel-Feil syndrome. The right side of the body is affected twice as often as the left.
Poland syndrome does seem to affect males more commonly than females.
Symptoms:
Poland syndrome has several distinctive symptoms:
Chest muscle deformities - absence of the pectoralis minor and the breastbone part of the pectoralis major
Underdevelopment or absence of breast or nipple on the affected side
Patchy absence of hair under the arm on the affected side
Additional symptoms on the affected side may include:
Underdeveloped or missing ribs
Underdeveloped arm, hand, and fingers
Abnormally short, webbed fingers
Small, elevated scapula (shoulder bone), called Sprengel deformity
Pyloric stenosis = Pyloric stenosis is the narrowing of part of the stomach (the pylorus).
Tracheoesophageal fistula = A fistula is a connection between two tubes. The breathing tube that connects the nose and mouth with the lungs is called the trachea. The esophagus is the swallowing tube. The breathing tube and the swallowing tube aren't supposed to be connected. However, when a child has a tracheoesophageal fistula, the fistula connects the two tubes. This means that food or milk in the stomach can get into the lungs. This can cause breathing problems and even pneumonia.
Williams syndrome = Many people with Williams Syndrome exhibit autistic behaviors. This includes: developmental and language delays, problems in gross motor skills, hypersensitivity to sounds, being picky eaters, and perseverating.
These individuals differ from the typical autistic individual because they also have cardiovascular abnormalities, high blood pressure, elevated calcium levels, and are very sociable. They also have unique pixie-like facial features--almond shaped eyes, oval ears, full lips, small chins, narrow faces, and broad mouths.
Many of these conditions and symptoms seemed to overlap in many symptoms and severity and I would assume there is some gold standard amongst the symptoms that some predetermined two or three characteristics make a confirmed diagnosis of one or the other. Similar to the differential of which autoimmune disease is being diagnosed. Otherwise, it was just be a doctor’s opinion of what the disorder is related.
Dandy Walker Syndrome
(The Board of Veterans Appeals approved Dandy Walker Syndrome for some paternal exposures and then denied some of the others.)
Neurologic conditions including lissencephaly, microgyria and agenesis of the corpus callosum are also mentioned as related to Dandy Walker cysts and thus within the spectrum of neural tube defects.
The following diseases, illnesses & birth defects have been associated with herbicide exposures and can qualify a Veteran or their child for service connected disability. Please feel free to check any information listed here with your own trusted resources & or references.
Resources used to gather information placed on this page is:
