Question:
We filed a claim for AO exposure in January 2018 for prostate cancer with the assistance of the DAV and were denied. My husband was stationed in South Korea from 2/1966-3/1967 as a cryptographer. He would travel to the DMZ with his CO to repair microwave towers. VA denied claim 7/2018 for no service in Vietnam and dates not valid for AO exposure. He is in hospice and I am his hospice nurse 24/7. I need someone to take on filing the NOD as emotionally I can't do it. DAV is not responding to requests by email and I cannot reach them by phone. Who can do this for me? Only have one year from 7/26/2018 to file NOD.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
Jim's Reply:
You tell me your veteran was in South Korea February 1966 through March 1967. The VA recognizes presumptive service connection for certain agent orange connected conditions (prostate cancer is one) for veterans who served in the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971. To appeal a denial will be a challenge since VA is pretty strict about those dates. You'll need to speak with a veterans law attorney who can guide your response to VA. You can speak with any or all of these accredited veterans law attorneys at no cost.