My XO called me one day and told me about his landscaper, who we’ll call Alex, being a Vietnam Veteran and only being at 10% with the VA. Over the next few weeks my XO asked me question after question, doing his own research (he’s good like that) before hitting me up for clarification. Eventually we made a date for me to meet Alex at my XO’s house, and Alex was instructed to bring everything he had. Alex told us that he had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMII), prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a blood cancer that he couldn’t remember the name of.
For those of you not aware, Agent Orange (AO), was an herbicide used in Vietnam to kill the foliage, so we could better see the enemy. AO turned out to be a nasty little carcinogen that was eventually linked to multiple illnesses that many of our Vietnam era veterans suffer from.
The VA has a presumptive list of conditions (just like Gulf War Syndrome does), and here is the link: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/. If you look at the list, Alex had several of these presumptive conditions. Alex shared with my XO and I that he was paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket for his medications and care each month and he was only rated at 10% when he got home from Vietnam. Alex believed he was given 10% for PTSD, but as it turned out, he had been rated for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), not PTSD.
Alex told me that he had been denied for everything on a previous attempt to get service connected, through some guy who didn’t ask for any documentation from Alex other than the form. This sounded fishy to me, so my XO and I helped Alex fill out a VA form 21-526ez. (If you were legitimately denied, you’ll want to re-file on a VA Form 20-0995, with new supporting documentation). Alex wasn’t aware that he could be seen at the VA hospitals either, so that was fun to let him know about that.
My XO kept tabs on Alex, since he saw him weekly and made sure that Alex went to the exams and had as much of his civilian doctor’s treatment records given to the VA as possible. (The VA has a short suspense on getting these civilian Dr.’s records for you and then they’ll rate your claim w/o them, so best for you to help the VA get them) About two months after Alex submitted his VA claim with our help, he was rated at 60% and no longer had to pay hundreds in medications out of pocket. This has changed Alex’s life forever and for the better and he is now thinking about retirement!! (All of Alex’s meds were for AO related conditions)
I can’t stress enough that we are our own best network. Ask questions, share your legit answers and help each other with this crazy, cosmic process known as VA disability.
Self help
7 thoughts on “Another random meeting, this time a Vietnam Veteran….”
Gordon Bone June 11, 2022 at 10:56 pm
In June 2013 I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. When stopped to turn into a garage parking lot I was rear ended by a SUV traveling about 40 miles per hour. The Sonoma small truck was tossed around. The passenger side box was lifted from the frame several inches. I received a TBI that later showed a subdural hematoma. It was small and later stopped bleeding. It has shifted the brain several millimeters. It took about 11 months for the blood to fully leave. During that time, I was AGR active-duty Reserve. I was the training NCO for the 405th reserve hospital. My career was ended at the second of impact. I was held on active duty until cleared to leave/retire on 16 March 2015. During this process Kate Roberts’ was amazingly instrumental in assisting me in getting VA benefits. I was rated at 95% disability due to the TBI I had received. I was rated as non-employable because of apparent loss of balance and recurring headaches at that time. It’s been 7 years and my balance is still effected. Kate’s counseling and mentorship during the process was second to none. Kate put forth every effort to ensure I would receive every benefit to which I was entitled. To this day I can’t thank her enough in how she helped me. I am receiving 100% disability in addition to retirement from 30 years of service. The disability benefits has literally saved me financially. Thank you Kate for all you have done!
Navigatewithkate June 13, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Gordon,
I’m just so happy that our paths crossed when they did so you didn’t end up missing out on your Army Retirement check!! Many people don’t know that it is more beneficial to retire the traditional way when possible and file your VA claim for disability separately.
Patricia A. Osnoe June 12, 2022 at 7:53 pm
Kate Roberts is a Godsend!
My late husband was in Vietnam and unfortunately after many years he came down with lung cancer. We thought they had gotten it all, but in 2013 it hit with a vengeance, and this time there was no cure, and he passed. Kate helped us with everything, if it had not been for her, I probably would have lost everything. She helped me get signed up for everything that I was entitled to as a Surviving Spouse. I can’t praise her enough.
Navigatewithkate June 13, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words. It is my pleasure to be able to help our Veterans get what they are entitled to and deserve!
Christopher Jackson June 13, 2022 at 7:39 pm
Years of mental fatigue, combat trauma and being considered a piece of equipment will alter your perception of self-worth. The standard reaction is to accept What you are given and be Grateful. If not for Kate’s guidance and more importantly her support, I would have fallen short of advocating for myself. Her guidance isn’t about fabrication or whimsical claims. Kate helps you understand the difficulty of your military journey and accurately tell a story of physical and mental damage incurred. When I wanted to quit because reliving to pain became overwhelming, her support and understanding kept me moving forward.
Navigatewithkate June 14, 2022 at 2:16 am
Chris,
it is truly my honor to have your trust and continue our friendship and share in your wonderful family. Thank you for your kind words. If I get any more tough guys, I’m sending them your way first!
Andrea June 23, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Absolutely love hearing these stories! Kate helped my husband (the Marine from the blog post in June 2017) sort through his mess of a claim. She went above and beyond answering my questions and assuring me she could help us. She figured out what we were missing and told us exactly what we needed to do. I don’t think we could have done it without her, she was and IS amazing! Thank you Kate!!
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