Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 02/10/2003

Dear Sergeant Shaft, I'm a retired veteran of the Army Special Operations and Intelligence, who in the ensuing period after discharge was service-connected for Multiple Sclerosis. I'm currently rated 100 percent for MS in addition to being legally blind and in a wheelchair. Could you kindly assist me in the following:  Obtaining a VA specially adapted housing grant to modify my home to accommodate my disability and provide me with more independence. I've been paying $1,800 each month for home care assistance, as I am unable to totally take care of myself. Is there a VA program that can assist with home care?  Obtaining employment. I have marketable skills acquired from my previous employment I know that I can still contribute. 

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. 

John W 

Dear John, 
I have contacted the National Director of Blind Rehabilitation for the Department of Veterans Affairs and asked him to have someone contact you. Although the VA does not provide long term home care assistance, it seems that you might be eligible for a substantial increase in your VA disability compensation which would help you to defray these expenses. The basic rate of payment for VA Compensation is based on the percent of disability as determined by the VA. Currently a veteran considered to be 100 percent disabled as the result of service related disabilities is entitled to receive approximately $2200. Per month plus an additional amount for dependents. Veterans with higher levels of disability such as yours may be entitled to an additional benefit know as Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is a benefit that is paid in addition to the basic rates of compensation. SMC is paid to compensate veterans for service connected disabilities such as those that involve anatomical loss or loss of use of limbs or sensory impairment, such as loss of hearing or vision. While the basic rates of compensation are based on the average impairment in civilian earning capacity, Special Monthly Compensation is based on more personal factors such as social inadaptability, or the profound nature of the disability. In addition to seeking additional monetary benefits, I suggest that you attend a blind rehabilitation center program which would include computer training services and a wide variety of blind rehabilitation training. I have also suggested that the VA review your request for specially adapted housing and that VA Vocational rehabilitation services assist you in obtaining gainful employment. 

SHAFT KUDOS
The Sarge joins Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in commending VA Secretary Anthony Princippi for recognizing the link between Agent Orange exposure and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In a recent statement Chairman Smith said, "The Institute of Medicine's conclusions on chronic lymphocytic leukemia once again confirm that too many Vietnam veterans suffered, and are continuing to suffer, from injuries, ailments and diseases caused by exposure to Agent Orange. 

"Our government owes these brave men and women immediate care and compensation for any and all injuries resulting from their valuable service and contributions to the Nation."

Based upon a recently released review of scientific studies, Secretary Principi has decided to extend benefits to Vietnam veterans with CLL. "Compelling evidence has emerged within the scientific community that exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange is associated with CLL," Principi said. "I'm exercising my legal authority to ensure the full range of VA benefits is available to Vietnam veterans with CLL." 

The ruling means that veterans with CLL who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War don't have to prove that illness is related to their military service to qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation. Additionally, for more than 20 years, VA has offered special access to medical care to Vietnam veterans with any health problems that may have resulted from Agent Orange exposure, and this decision will ensure higher-priority access to care in the future. The decision to provide compensation was based upon a recent report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that found among scientific studies "sufficient evidence of an association" between exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War and CLL.

The IOM review, conducted at VA's request, was the latest in a series spanning the period since 1993 when the independent, non-governmental agency first published a report for VA that examined thousands of relevant scientific studies on the health effects of various substances to which American servicemembers may have been exposed in Vietnam. 

"On the modern battlefield, not all injuries are caused by shrapnel and bullets," Principi said. "This latest IOM study and my decision to act upon it are the latest examples of VA's continuing efforts to care for the needs of our combat veterans."

VA requested the IOM panel of experts to focus on CLL in their report because of veterans' concerns that CLL shares some similarities with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which the IOM had previously connected to Agent Orange exposure.

Principi ordered the development of regulations to enable VA to begin paying compensation benefits once a final rule takes effect. Publication of that regulation is expected in the near future. VA will publish further details, when available, on its Web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/.

In the meantime, veterans with questions about health-care, compensation and survivor benefits may call a toll-free help line at 1-800-749-8387 for information. VA also encourages Vietnam veterans who have not done so to request a subscription to Agent Orange Review, VA's free newsletter that will keep them abreast of developments on this issue and other policies and scientific findings in the future. Newsletter subscription information is available from the help line number above. Back issues and additional information about Agent Orange are available at another VA Web site at http://www.va.gov/agentorange/.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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