Agent Orange is a herbicide that the U.S. military used in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971. It removed tree branches and other tropical cover that enabled the enemy to hide away. The military only used the herbicide to unveil the enemy, and a million gallons were used. Most sprayed areas were forests and mangroves, and any military personnel who worked during those years in Vietnam was exposed to the chemical. Several veterans diagnosed with conditions linked to chemical exposure are eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you are in a similar situation, here are a few things to note when making the exposure claim.
Service Connection
Service connection means that your exposure happened during service time. There are several ways to show service connection when making the Agent Orange exposure legal claims, and they include supporting documents showing the incident occurred while you were serving and how the in-service exposure is connected to the current disability. You’ll need military records to prove you served in Vietnam and your discharge papers after service. With everything required, it’s easy for you to gain compensation benefits as you have evidence of how the illness is connected to service.
Attorney
The legal exposure claim process is long and requires you to have an attorney who guides and advises you on the necessary requirements. You can find an attorney with a good reputation who has worked on previous cases similar to yours and who is transparent with everything related to your claims. Ask your friends and family for recommendations from great veteran claims attorneys.
Medical Evidence
When every affected veteran files a claim, the Office of veteran affairs reviews every document for you to qualify for benefits. You should have the treatment records from when you were in service until now and the doctor’s current recommendation on your exposure. If you don’t have the treatment records, you can ask veteran affairs officials to upload the treatment records for you. You could also include private medical records like x-rays, lab tests and results, and crucial doctor’s reports to increase your chances of qualifying for the claim.
Appeal
Sometimes the first attempt at your claim may fail, which should not be how you give up on what you deserve. You can file an appeal for your claim this time with sufficient evidence for you to qualify. A great lawyer can take you through the appeal process, as it can get rough while you do it alone. You should also ensure you were in service during the Agent Orange exposure years to improve your chances of qualifying for the benefits.
Buddy Statements
You can have your close friends write statements about your health status from when you were in service and how you’re currently doing. They could also highlight how the exposure has changed your life and relationships with friends and family. You could also have your doctor include their opinion and recommendation. The best source of evidence for veterans suffering exposure is buddy statements, which provide first-hand information about how you developed the illness.
Methods of Application
There are many ways you can make your Agent Orange exposure claims. The most common is physically using a lawyer who takes the documents supporting the claim to the veteran affairs office. The second way is online through a fast-track application system which enables the application to be reviewed faster, and the eligible veterans can easily receive their benefits. You can choose the convenient way for your claim, whether online or in person.
You should note that you can only apply for Agent Orange exposure claims if you served in Vietnam between the years 1962 to 1971 and have an existing condition related to the time you served in Vietnam. When you follow the key steps outlined above, you can be sure to receive more benefits. You fought for the country. That’s why you deserve good health, and be sure to make that claim today.
