3 minute read
Hey Veterans, Did You Know?
… survivor and death benefits can be denied if Agent Orange is listed on a death certificate?
We mentioned last month that if a veteran passes away from COVID-19, family members should ask the individuals preparing the death certificate to list a veteran’s service-connected conditions as contributing causes of death, such as coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, etc. If the veteran is a Vietnam veteran, the VA recognizes these and other diseases as presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.
Agent Orange itself should not be listed a contributing cause of death; only list the medical conditions linked to the exposure.
Visit https://www.va.gov/ agentorange to learn more about Agent Orange exposure and presumptive diseases.
… Vietnam veterans who have had a heart attack may qualify for
VA benefits?
If the above applies to you, you may qualify for medical and disability benefits (a monthly check) through the VA. Ischemic heart disease is one of the 17 presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Ischemic heart disease is characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain.
To find out more, contact a Veteran Service Officer; local contact information can be found in the “How Can I Get Help?” section of this publication.
Jean Bledsoe is a retired RN and, while she knew a little about the benefits of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT), she didn’t know the full scope of what it could do to improve her life.
“I was referred to a physical therapist, and as she watched me painfully walk down the hall, she immediately gave me a new rolling walker with a seat and basket. She evaluated my spinal condition, came up with a plan, gave me some simple exercises along with some equipment, and said I needed OT in addition to PT and ordered it immediately,” Bledsoe said.
The occupational therapist evaluated her condition and concentrated on specific simple tasks that were difficult to perform with her hands, like holding silverware, picking up small items, buttoning clothes, due to the loss of strength, feeling and flexibility in her hands. She was treated with ultrasound and paraffin wax.
“Each week I would see both the PT and OT where they reevaluated my progress and gave me additional exercises and things to help with my rehabilitation and to make my life easier. Eventually it was determined that I would need to see the hand surgeon at the VA and they set all of that in motion.”
When Bledsoe spoke with the OT team, they talked about helping stroke patients and amputees, and patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. They assessed the veteran’s needs and home environment, and provided devices, equipment and education to enable them to lead safer, more independent lives to the best of their abilities. They mentioned the work OTs do with clients with PTSD and other mental health issues and more.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy is offered at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane and at the North Idaho Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Coeur d’Alene.
What do you need to do? The first thing is to be eligible to receive care at the VA. If you aren’t already in the system, see the “How Can I Get Help?” section in this publication and select one of the Veteran Service Officers to help you. If you are already enrolled in VA health care, ask your primary provider for a referral.
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Physical therapy and occupational therapy are available at local VA facilities.
… VA has a schedule for rating disabilities for the various body systems?
The most recent revisions and updates are for the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems.
You can find detailed information regarding these new regulations along with others that have been revised since 2017 online at blogs.va.gov/ VAntage/97109/va-updatesdisability-rating-schedulesfor-genitourinary-andcardiovascular-systems/.
