Look, agent orange gave me larynx cancer (voice box) and it was removed 1 1/2 years ago. Have not spoken without the aid of a mechanical device since, but, I do understand the frustration of the DWN about this subject.
Trust me, I would love to have my voice back, and my life back, but that ain’t gonna happen.
I have no complaints about the care the VA has (is) giving me. The medical staff is first rate IMHO.
Now, making a claim, another story:
I filed my claim against the VA, and waited impatiently. The VA’s stated goal was to have claims acted on within 6 months. Again, this was an AO claim, so there wasn’t much to really look at, my record, yep 1 year tour in country RVN, give the guy his money. 6 months to the day, it was approved. 2 weeks later I got my back compensation, and they have been right on the spot ever since.
The DWN needs to keep plugging away and eventually it will happen.
....Bob
Hey Bob.
That’s BWN, but I take you’re point.
Your cancer was a ‘Soft Tissue Sarcoma’, yes? That’s on the AO ‘presumptive’ list.
This was a recent claim, right? The DVA has been doing ‘Brown Water’ guys much faster, lately.
I came down with NHL (B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia & Small Lymphocyte Lymphoma) in 1999. I DID NOT KNOW it was AO related until mid-2005. I filed for compensation in 2005, including my DD-214 and was denied 4 times for no “Boots on the Ground”.
After the Haas Case, we discovered Blue Water Navy sailors were covered for all forms of NHL, not by the AO part of Title 38, but by CFR 3.313. (Known as the Zumwalt Law).
Filed for that in Feb. 2008, got my 100% in Dec. 2008. Had to file again separately for ‘Permanent & Total’ in Jan. 2009, I guess they thought my ‘incurable’ NHL wasn’t. Finally got it Dec. 2009.
Now, the DVA KNEW about CFR 3.313, and NHL. Did they tell me?
No.
And I’m still being slow-rolled for retroactive, because it’s so big.
Six months, my rosey pink fanny!