Health Concerns and Potential VA Benefits
Vietnam Veterans recently received the following letter from
Jeffrey L. Olson, Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs, State
of Minnesota. It has important news for all in-country Vietnam
Veterans. Contact the Anoka County Veterans Services Office for
help - phone: 763-323-5290 or e-mail:
duane.krueger@co.anoka.mn.us.
Dear Vietnam Veteran:
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs wants all Vietnam
veterans living in Minnesota to be aware of possible health concerns
and potential VA benefits.
Health Concerns
Many Vietnam veterans may be suffering from Hepatitis C, a
potentially life-threatening disease that can slowly progress over
time and may eventually destroy the liver. Studies have shown that
Vietnam veterans are at a much higher risk of having this infectious
disease. There were no tests for Hepatitis C prior to 1992, and there
can be almost no symptoms for many years. Hepatitis C is caused by
exposure to blood or blood products. (Some risk factors are blood
transfusions, exposure to other people's blood, including combat blood
exposure, tattoos or body piercing, and using needles to inject
"recreational" drugs.)
Type 2 Diabetes (also know as adult onset diabetes) is another
disease that has recently been linked to Vietnam veterans who were
exposed to Agent Orange while in Vietnam. Both of these diseases can
easily be detected by a simple blood test, which your family doctor or
the nearest VA Medical Center can provide. Since both conditions may
cause many serious health problems, including death, we suggest you
get tested as soon as possible.
Potential VA Benefits
Vietnam veterans who served in Vietnam are considered to have been
exposed to Agent Orange. If you are currently suffering from (or
develop in the future) any of the following conditions, you are
potentially eligible for VA compensation and free medical treatment:
Type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers, Hodgkin's
disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, acute peripheral
neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, cloracne, and soft-tissue
sarcomas.
Every county in Minnesota has a County Veterans Service Officer.
You can reach the Anoka County Veterans Service Office by calling
(763) 323-5290. They will inform you of, and help you apply for
possible VA benefits, and will assist you in getting appointments at
the nearest VA Medical Center. For your convenience, we have provided
a list of VA Regional Offices and VA Medical Centers nearest to Anoka
County.
USDVA 800-827-1000
USDVA MEDICAL CENTERS
Minneapolis, Minnesota 612-725-2000
St. Cloud, Minnesota 320-252-1670
If you would like more information on Vietnam veteran's health
issues and benefits, please contact the VA Regional Office and Medical
Center nearest you.
You and your family deserve peace of mind. Please get tested!
Sincerely,
Jeffrey L. Olson, Commissioner |
