Things Medical
AED Heart Machines
Submitted by: Robert Hill
5 June 2013
Hope we never have to use this but it is
useful information.
Take a moment to watch this one. Now at least I know what's inside
those machines and something about how to use one if necessary.
This only takes a minute to view... I honestly didn't know what to
expect if I had opened the box!
We have all walked by the Red Cross sign in airports indicating where a
heart machine is located. Do you know what is in them and how to use
it? I did not. Try this video and see what you think.
If you pick the wrong choice---- the man dies---- choose wisely You may
save a life. I Just watched this video and was impressed, so I'm
sending it to those on my mailing list with the hope that it'll save
lives (maybe mine, yours or someone you love!).
http://www.heartrescuenow.com/
Submission of Claim to VA
Submitted by: Lloyd Brown
1 June 2013
First I must say that since 1991, I have
gotten my primary health care from the VA Medical Center in Boise Idaho
and I am a DAV volunteer driver at that Center every Friday (I tell all
my old military friends that "I am still working for Ric.") (For any of
you that have any spare time, that this is a very rewarding and fun
thing to do. Yesterday for example, I helped a wonderful old retired
1st Sergeant who made all 4 combat jumps with the 82d in WWII, a truly
Great American.) At the BVAMC, given the resources provided (not nearly
enough) they do a great job of taking care of us VETS, and without
exception the staff is wonderful.
As many of you know, on May 9th, I had my prostate (diagnosed with
Prostate Cancer on 01/14/2013) removed (Robotic-Assisted Radical
Prostatectomy). Fortunately the pathology report on the other parts
that were sampled came out NEG so we are optimistic that the tumor had
not metastasized. That will be verified by PSA (which should go to 0)
tests that will be taken every 3 months for the next year.
Yesterday I completed a "Veteran's Supplemental Claim for Compensation"
(supplemental, because in 1992, I was awarded a 10% service connected
disability as a result of my initial claim. I was able to do this
without much difficulty because, fortunately, the surgeon (A wonderful
person, Dr. Stephen Brassell) who performed the operation, when he was
serving as the Associate Director of the Center for Prostate Disease
Research at Walter Reed ( He was an Army Dr. at the time) developed a
packet of materials for VETS like us that contained all the information
and forms that you need to submit a claim or supplement, and he
provided me a packet.
Ric, I believe that that the VA should have a packet like this and
provide it to every Vietnam VET that develops prostate cancer or any
VET that requests it.
Now some specifics, that you may not know. Based on the Agent Orange
Act of 1991, all of us that served in Vietnam are presumed have been
exposed to Agent Orange and if you develop Prostate Cancer (no matter
how long after exposure) it is considered to be a service-related
disability for which you should be compensated. In order to be
compensated, you must submit a claim to the VA using VA FORM 21-526, or
a Supplemental Claim using VA FORM 21-526b (Just like the Army) (Forms
available @ VA website). Do this as soon as you are diagnosed and do not
wait like I did until after your surgery. I did not realize this until
I read Dr. Brassell's materials.
In my case, for a supplemental claim I wound up submitting (You submit
your claim at the Regional VA Offices) the following: VA FORM 21-526b,
a copy of The Surgical Pathological Consultation report (includes the
medical diagnoses), a copy of the 1992 VA disability compensation
letter, a copy of my DD FORM 214 Discharge Certificate, and a copy of
my final Officer Record Brief. (The last two establish my military
service in Vietnam.)
Still to be submitted: in 6 months I need to submit a report to the VA
establishing the residual effects of the cancer treatment and as soon
as I complete a request to DOD for Combat-Related Special Compensation
(DD FORM 2860) If approved (my research indicates that it should be)
this will result in not continuing to pay for my own disability with
reductions from my retired military pay. I will let you guys know how
this turns out.
Also you should all sign up with the VA for the Agent Orange Registry
and be examined at the VA. Note this is separate from the compensation
program and if you do get prostate cancer you still have to apply for
compensation.
If you need any more information about this please contact me @
208-853-7939, 208-954-0933, lkbandslb@mac.com
For other help I recommend the DAV Service Officer in your area. Get
his contact info @ 1-877-426-2838. In the Washington DC area, you may
want to contact Ray Walsh @ 703-425-1474 or raywalsh34@erols.com. He is
a VN VET with a lot of experience, some of it not good, with this
process that provided a lot of good information to the Walter Reed
Newsletter in 2007.
Wishing you all the best and as always, "BEAT NAVY,"
Kent Brown