The American Legion Department of Maine issued a Vietnam Veterans Healthcare Alert on Dec. 31, 2008 notifying veterans of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department’s intention to stop providing medical coverage for injuries related to exposure to Agent Orange.
The notice explains the VA discontinued veterans eligibility for benefits related to exposure to Agent Orange in 2002, but continues to treat patients. The VA is currently seeking approval to discontinue treatment for those veterans.
The notice advises all veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam to enroll for VA Healthcare eligibility under priority 6 category. Applications can be obtained at The American Legion Service Office or by downloading the form at: https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/.
“On the second page of the application form, be sure to check the “yes” box that indicates you were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam,” the alert said. “On the last page of the application check the box that says, ‘no, I do not wish to provide financial information,’ in sections VII through X.”
The advisory reminds applicants to thoroughly check the form after they complete it, and sign and date the last page. The veteran’s name and social security number need to be included at the top of pages two and three.
A copy of the military separation document, DD Form 214, is used to verify the veteran’s term of service overseas in Vietnam. The notice states that document must be included with the application for eligibility for benefits.
For more information, please contact Robert A. Owen, Department Service Officer by telephone at: (207) 623-5726, or by email at: robert.owen@vba.va.gov.
