Agent Orange

[Brucecav]

For those that have been exposed to Agent Orange and contaminated camp Legeune drinking water there is no such thing as automatically service connected.

I was exposed to both and around the beginning of Dec 2016 I was diagnosed with Acute ALL Leukemia. And told I had three months to live without a stem cell transplant.

I was a 100% SC/PT disabled veteran for many years now but when I first talked to the VA they said the treatment for this was to expensive so they would not pay for it. Then I was sent a letter stating because the Leukemia was not service connected they would not pay for it.

Then I was sent another letter stating my cancer doctor had to provide evidence and lab tests proving my Acute Leukemia was service connected.

I did contact my local senator and my DAV chapter SO they were trying to fast track my new VA claim. Lucky for me I have private health insurance or I would not be typing this now.

My private health insurance told the cancer institute they would cover my treatment and stem cell transplant. On Feb 22, 2017 I had my stem cell transplant. Almost dies twice now from the treatment one must go through for this disease two year of it still have 15 more months to go.

Anyway if you come down with one of the diseases that are to be automatically service connected see a service officer ASAP because you will not be considered automatically service connected.

Five months after filing my new VA claim my claim was rated service connected but I had three months to live and the VA sent a letter stating in big red type they would not pay for treatment before or after a stem cell transplant OR the stem cell transplant.

So just a heads up as said if you come down with any of the auto service connected diseases get your claim filed ASAP and contact your local senator.

I am covered as said by my private health insurance but I have been fighting for those that do not have private health insurance as the VA will just let you die and remember I was already in the VA system as a 100% disabled veteran. Semper fi