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Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 02:45 PM Aug 2023

I just got a letter from the VA.

I'm not under any kind of care from them, Medicare and Tricare do just fine, but apparently I was potentially exposed to something or another on Guam. Oh wait a minute, Agent Orange it says. The letter says if you're under VA care you should get a screening, but I am not under VA care. Does anybody happen to know what you should do if you are not under VA care? You'd think the letter would have said, since it went to at least one person who is not under VA care, namely me.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I just got a letter from the VA. (Original Post) Susan Calvin Aug 2023 OP
do you have tricare? WhiteTara Aug 2023 #1
Yes. Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #4
give them a call. WhiteTara Aug 2023 #6
I am under VA care and have been overwhelmed with notices. TreasonousBastard Aug 2023 #2
That was my first impulse, but Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #7
If you think you may have been somehow exposed, have... TreasonousBastard Aug 2023 #8
I was Googling around, Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #9
And through all this, remember that our miltary is here to protect.. . TreasonousBastard Aug 2023 #10
Please call the 800 number. Deb Aug 2023 #3
Thanks. That was my next thought. Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #5
Found the answer if anybody else might be interested. Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #11
I got the same letter a few weeks ago, MarineCombatEngineer Aug 2023 #12
I haven't called yet, but I intend to. Susan Calvin Aug 2023 #13

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
2. I am under VA care and have been overwhelmed with notices.
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 03:00 PM
Aug 2023

about Orange, Le Jeune, and other things that have nothing to do with me. I suspect that since money is there they are just alerting anyone who may possibly have been touched by all this stuff.

Unless there are specific instructions aimed at you, I would just ignore this stuff.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
8. If you think you may have been somehow exposed, have...
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 04:50 PM
Aug 2023

yourself checked out. To do otherwise would be foolish, but to jump to something when you've never been near Orange or the fire pits is often just feeding fear.

I ignore the warnings because they are sent to damn near everyone just so they don't miss anyone.

Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
9. I was Googling around,
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 06:59 PM
Aug 2023

And found a map from an I don't know how reliable a source that showed the whole island pretty much contaminated. That was quite depressing. Added to I hear that the whole place has basically been concreted over and the snakes have eaten all the birds.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
10. And through all this, remember that our miltary is here to protect.. .
Thu Aug 3, 2023, 06:06 AM
Aug 2023

us, like health and antipoverty programs and education don't seem to

Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
5. Thanks. That was my next thought.
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 03:28 PM
Aug 2023

I just hate the idea of how long I'm probably going to be on hold. I had hoped their website would be of more help, but it seems to be directed toward people who are already receiving VA benefits.

Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
11. Found the answer if anybody else might be interested.
Thu Aug 3, 2023, 12:25 PM
Aug 2023

Last edited Thu Aug 3, 2023, 01:19 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp#Texas

You contact the people in your area from the list in the link. You do not have to be in the VA Health System to be evaluated.

MarineCombatEngineer

(14,311 posts)
12. I got the same letter a few weeks ago,
Sun Aug 27, 2023, 08:27 AM
Aug 2023

it listed 6 duty stations, 3 of which I was at, currently I'm not under VA care but I went ahead and called anyway, just in case.

Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
13. I haven't called yet, but I intend to.
Sun Aug 27, 2023, 01:07 PM
Aug 2023

Even though I'm healthy as a horse for my age, knock on wood, one never knows.

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