Veterans and Their Families: What Your Health Care Provider should know

If you would like more information or would like to file a claim for VA compensation and/or health care benefits, contact VetsFirst or online at htpp://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/	Did You Serve In The U.S. Military?
	The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses have been associated with military service. Please check the lists of illnesses and health concerns that have been identified with service during the wars listed in this brochure. If you served during one or more of these periods of war and have any of the highlighted diseases, you may be eligible for compensation, benefits and health care.
VIETNAM WAR Feb 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975	Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990-Date to be determined, includes Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
PTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance. Exposure to Agent Orange (dioxin) and other toxic chemical herbicides: AL amyloidosis; acute and sub-acute peripheral neuropathy; adult onset Type II Diabetes mellitus (and subsequent complications); Chloracne; Hairy cell leukemia; Hodgkins disease; Ischemic (or ischaemic) heart disease; Parkinson’s disease; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; non-Hodgkins lymphoma; cancers of the bronchus, larynx, lung, prostate, and trachea; soft tissue sarcomas other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and mesothelioma; chloracne or other acne-like similar diseases and poryphyria cutanea tarda if manifested within a year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to the herbicidal agent during active military service. Birth defects: spina bifida in children born to either male or female Vietnam veterans. Birth defects in children born to female Vietnam veterans: achondroplasia; cleft lip and cleft palate; congenital heart disease; congenital clubfoot; esophageal and intestinal atresia; Hallerman-Streiff syndrome; hip dysplasia; Hirschprung’s disease; hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis; hypospadias; imperforate anus; neural tube defects; Poland syndrome; pyloric stenosis; syndactyly; tracheoesophageal fistula; undescended testicles; and Williams syndrome. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS Substance abuse Military Sexual Trauma	PTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance. Gulf War Illness: medically unexplained chronic, multi-symptom illnesses defined by a cluster of symptoms that have existed for six months or more, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome; may also include headaches, muscle pain, skin disorders, neurological symptoms, weight loss, and menstrual disorders. Leishmaniasis: a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease; a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease. Exposure to chemical smoke, chemical and biological agents, and depleted uranium Immunizations Substance abuse Military sexual trauma

Global War on Terror September 11, 2001-Date to be Determined, Includes Operations Iragi Freedom And Enduring Freedom
PTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance. TBI traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries; combined penetrating, blunt trauma, burn and blast injuries. Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter: an opportunistic strain of bacteria that can become deadly if untreated. Leishmaniasis: a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies. Vision loss o Hearing loss, tinnitus Traumatic amputation Exposure to depleted uranium Substance abuse Military sexual trauma
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation To be eligible for DIC benefits, a surviving family member must show the following:
The family member meets one of the following criteria: you were married to the veteran at the time of death and you had lived with the veteran from the date you were married until the veteran’s death, unless separation occurred because of the veteran’s misconduct without fault on your part; you are not currently married, remarried after age 57; or you are not currently living with another person and claiming to be the spouse of that person. There may be different rules that apply if you either were married to the veteran for less than one year or were in a common-law relationship with the veteran; you are a son or daughter of the veteran under the age of 18, unmarried, and there is no eligible surviving spouse; you are a son or daughter of the veteran, 18 years old or older, and before you reached the age of 18, you became disabled and permanently unable to support yourself; you are the son or daughter of the veteran, unmarried, between the ages of 18 and 23, and currently attend a VA-approved school; and you are the surviving parent or parents of a deceased veteran. The term "parent" includes a biological, adoptive, or foster parent. A foster parent is a person who legally stood in the relationship of a parent to the veteran for at least one year before the veteran’s last entry into active duty. Eligibility for dependent parents’ DIC is need-based. When countable income exceeds the limit set by law, no benefit is payable. Income limits are adjusted annually.
NOTE: In some cases, Dependency & Indemnity Compensation, education benefits, and CHAMPVA medical care may be available for the surviving spouses and children of certain veterans.