Myelodysplastic Syndrome or MDS Leukemia

TheGhost · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1

I am trying to find out if anyone expose to agent orange might have came down with Myelodysplastic Syndrome - MDS - I'm fighting veterans affairs because I have MDS and I must have had it on my clothes when I was at home because my wife at the time also came down with Leukemia and we are trying to find out now what type she had because we didn't talk for a lot of years but it is very strange that we were both at the same base here in the U.S. and both came down with Leukemia. I was handling pilots gear and in close contact with their pilots suits. so if anyone has any information in regards to this please contact me - thank you very much...Ron

Guest · Guest

MY HUSBAND HAD IT AND FILED A CLAIM---HE WAS DENIED--AND SINCE PASSED AWAY. BUT THEY ARE RE-OPENING HIS CLAIM. MDS WAS THE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH. I READ AN APPEAL ON WATCHDOG.COM WHERE THIS VETERAN FROM INDIANA HAD MDS AND WAS FINALLY AWARDED 100% DISABILITY . HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU.

Guest · Guest

My husband is having the same problem with the VA

Bocavet · Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

This is an individual matter depending on the type of MDS. It depends on what abnormalities that you might have with the MDS. I have a friend who has trisomy 8 which is a third copy of the 8th chromosome. This is a genetic mutation that was caused by AO exposure and which, in turn, caused his MDS. His hematologist prepared a 5 or 6 letter with over 23 citations that clearly established a nexus for agent orange exposure and his MDS. At the end he said that he was convinced that nothing other tha agent orange caused the MDS. He was awarded 100 % P and T. It took 18 months which isn't bad for the VA and there was no need to appeal.

He says that the key is to prepare a well grounded and thorough claim and to include all possible evidence. It also helps if you have a physician who will take the time to write a letter for you that makes a scientific case for why agent orange caused your MDS. Simply saying that it is his/her opinion that Agent Orange cause it, will probably not be convincing enough. Also, it would help if the doc has a research and clinical background and you include a copy of thier CV.

You need to respond to all correspondence from the VA and always remain courteous but strong in your dealings with them. Some people I know try to threaten and get nasty and this never works and sometimes increases the chance of slow processing or denial. If possible prepare your claim your self or be very invo;ved with the person who is helping you--such as a VSO --after all, it is your claim.

Finally, let me reccomend a website---vawatchdog.org. This site has daily information on veterans affars and there is a guy who posts regularly about va claims issues. His name is Jim Strickland. He is a veterans advocate and you can find his e-mail address on the site. Hope this helps.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome or MDS Leukemia

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK