A SUMMARY OF Veterans Benefits Are you aware of your benefits? Attention Vietnam Veterans here was widespread use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. I encourage all Vietnam veterans who served in Vietnam to contact my office for a brief interview. I continue to meet Vietnam veterans who are not aware of VA regulations regarding the so-called "presumptive diseases" caused by Agent Orange. I feel it is very important for Vietnam veterans to know what those diseases are and what it means. In addition to possible disability benefits is the fact that, as a Vietnam veteran presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, he/she most likely qualifies for VA health care. As with all veterans currently using the VA health care system, it is worth noting that veterans do not need to discontinue using their local private health care facilities. Many veterans use both systems depending on their individual needs and circumstances. Also, it is important to know that both the Sioux Falls and Minneapolis VA hospitals have VA primary care clinics located in Spirit Lake, St. James and Mankato. Below is more specific information pertaining to Vietnam veterans as well as other information pertaining to all veterans. With questions please call 507-831-5522 or stop by the office located at 41385 US Highway 71, Windom. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may also visit our county website at- www.co.cottonwood.mn.us Thank you! Todd Dibble, Cottonwood County Veterans Service Officer VETERAN Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam or the purposes of VA compensation benefits, Veterans who served anywhere in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, as specified in the Agent Orange Act of 1991. These Veterans do not need to show that they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides in order to get disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. Service in Vietnam includes: Set foot in Vietnam (This includes brief visits ashore, such as when a ship docked to the shore of Vietnam or when a ship operated in Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods and crew members went ashore, or smaller vessels from the ship went ashore with supplies or personnel. The Veteran further must provide a statement of personally going ashore.) Served on a ship while it operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam. Blue Water Veterans are now presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Check VA's list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam. Evidence confirmed through military records must show that the Veteran was aboard one of these ships. V Thailand Military Bases & Agent Orange Exposure ietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits. The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides: U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned an MP military occupational specialty whose duty placed him/her at or near the base perimeter. To receive benefits for diseases associated with herbicide exposure, these Veterans must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during their service as shown by evidence of daily work duties, performance evaluation reports, or other credible evidence. Vietnam Blue Water Navy and Marine Corps Veterans, Noise Exposure eterans exposed Surviving Spouses and Children during military service in combat, traininful nois B lue Water Navy and Marine Corps Veterans, living or deceased are now entitled to the presumption of exposure to the deadly herbicide known as Agent Orange. Any veteran who served on a ship that operated within 12 nautical miles of the coastline of Vietnam or Cambodia during the Vietnam War and have any diagnosed illnesses related to Agent Orange should file a claim for monetary disability and survivors benefits. In addition, a spouse or child may be entitled to VA benefits if one of these Agent Orange illnesses has contributed to the veteran's death. Korean Demilitarized Zone & Agent Orange Exposure eterans who served in a unit within or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 and who have a disease VA recognizes as associated with Agent Orange exposure are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. These Veterans do not have to show they were exposed to Agent Orange to be eligible for disability compensation for these diseases. VA and the Department of Defense must determine the Veteran's unit operated in the DMZ area and the Veteran was physically there. V Gulf War Deployed Veterans A now recognizes asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis related to exposure to particulate matter for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and other areas. To be eligible for presumption, a veteran must meet the following entitlement criteria: Has manifested chronic asthma, chronic rhinitis and/or chronic sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis, within 10 years of separation from the last period of military service; and Served any length of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, beginning on August 2, 1990, through the present, as well as Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or Uzbekistan on or after September 19, 2001. All Veterans with Lou Gehrig's Disease or all veterans diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS) the VA presumes it is related to their service. This is for all veterans with at least 90 days of continuous general job duties. Noise can come from gunfire, explosives, rockets, heavy weapons, jets and aircraft, and machinery. Health problems related to noise-High-intensity noise and vibration can cause or contribute to hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The Institute of Medicine published a 2005 report, Noise and Military Service: Implications for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus. Health concerns? If you are concerned about health problems associated with noise exposure during your military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. Veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care. VA benefits-Veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits and health care benefits for health problems associated with noise exposure during military service. Veterans Diseases Associated with Agent Orange A assumes that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran's qualifying military service. We call these "presumptive diseases." VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for disability compensation or survivors' benefits for these diseases. AL Amyloidosis Cancer of the Bladder Chronic B-cell Leukemias Chloracne (or similar acne form disease) Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Hodgkin's Disease Hypothyroidism Ischemic Heart Disease Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Parkinsonism Parkinson's Disease Peripheral Neuropathy, Acute and Subacute Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer) Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma) Children with Birth Defects active military service who served in any branch during any Camp Lejeune Water Contaminants period. ALS is not related to Agent Orange. This also means the spouse of these veterans may be entitled to VA benefits. B enefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans and family members include health care for 15 onditions listed in the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Veterans can receive disability and health care benefits for eight presumptive disease conditions associated with contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune. Attention Veterans & Spouses he Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has a program for veterans and their dependents called the State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP). This program is based on income and assets and allows veterans and their dependents who qualify to use their local providers for dental procedures (up to $1,000 each) and optical (exams and eye glasses-up to $400 each). (Asset limits do NOT count a home, automobile(s), or personal items). This program has assisted many veterans and their families with much needed dental and optical assistance. Below is a table showing monthly income and asset limits. If you think you may qualify, simply call or stop by the Cottonwood County Veterans Service Office. Family Size 2 3 Monthly Income Limit $2,608 $3,525 Asset Limit $10,000 $18,000 $4,442 $18,000 $5,358 $18,000 SSAP also has a one time denture program and a one time Special Needs program. The Special Needs program has assisted veterans and their families with such things as medical bills, home repairs, replacement furnaces, appliances, hearing aids, etc. It is important to remember that the Special Needs program does not have a strict income and asset limit. If you have any questions on any of these benefits contact- Cottonwood County Veterans Service Officer TODD DIBBLE Please call for an appointment: 507-831-5522 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday thru Thursday 41385 Hwy. 71 PO Box 201 Windom, MN 56101 This ad made possible through a grant by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs minnesotaveteran.org 1-888-linkvet A SUMMARY OF Veterans Benefits Are you aware of your benefits ? Attention Vietnam Veterans here was widespread use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War . I encourage all Vietnam veterans who served in Vietnam to contact my office for a brief interview . I continue to meet Vietnam veterans who are not aware of VA regulations regarding the so - called " presumptive diseases " caused by Agent Orange . I feel it is very important for Vietnam veterans to know what those diseases are and what it means . In addition to possible disability benefits is the fact that , as a Vietnam veteran presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange , he / she most likely qualifies for VA health care . As with all veterans currently using the VA health care system , it is worth noting that veterans do not need to discontinue using their local private health care facilities . Many veterans use both systems depending on their individual needs and circumstances . Also , it is important to know that both the Sioux Falls and Minneapolis VA hospitals have VA primary care clinics located in Spirit Lake , St. James and Mankato . Below is more specific information pertaining to Vietnam veterans as well as other information pertaining to all veterans . With questions please call 507-831-5522 or stop by the office located at 41385 US Highway 71 , Windom . Office hours are Monday through Thursday , 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may also visit our county website at- www.co.cottonwood.mn.us Thank you ! Todd Dibble , Cottonwood County Veterans Service Officer VETERAN Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam or the purposes of VA compensation benefits , Veterans who served anywhere in Vietnam between January 9 , 1962 and May 7 , 1975 are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides , as specified in the Agent Orange Act of 1991. These Veterans do not need to show that they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides in order to get disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure . Service in Vietnam includes : Set foot in Vietnam ( This includes brief visits ashore , such as when a ship docked to the shore of Vietnam or when a ship operated in Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods and crew members went ashore , or smaller vessels from the ship went ashore with supplies or personnel . The Veteran further must provide a statement of personally going ashore . ) Served on a ship while it operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam . Blue Water Veterans are now presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides . Check VA's list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam . Evidence confirmed through military records must show that the Veteran was aboard one of these ships . V Thailand Military Bases & Agent Orange Exposure ietnam - era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28 , 1961 and May 7 , 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits . The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides : U.S . Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force ( RTAF ) bases at U - Tapao , Ubon , Nakhon Phanom , Udorn , Takhli , Korat and Don Muang , near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28 , 1961 and May 7 , 1975 . U.S . Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28 , 1961 and May 7 , 1975 . U.S . Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28 , 1961 and May 7 , 1975. However , the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police ( MP ) unit or was assigned an MP military occupational specialty whose duty placed him / her at or near the base perimeter . To receive benefits for diseases associated with herbicide exposure , these Veterans must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during their service as shown by evidence of daily work duties , performance evaluation reports , or other credible evidence . Vietnam Blue Water Navy and Marine Corps Veterans , Noise Exposure eterans exposed Surviving Spouses and Children during military service in combat , traininful nois B lue Water Navy and Marine Corps Veterans , living or deceased are now entitled to the presumption of exposure to the deadly herbicide known as Agent Orange . Any veteran who served on a ship that operated within 12 nautical miles of the coastline of Vietnam or Cambodia during the Vietnam War and have any diagnosed illnesses related to Agent Orange should file a claim for monetary disability and survivors benefits . In addition , a spouse or child may be entitled to VA benefits if one of these Agent Orange illnesses has contributed to the veteran's death . Korean Demilitarized Zone & Agent Orange Exposure eterans who served in a unit within or near the Korean demilitarized zone ( DMZ ) anytime between April 1 , 1968 and August 31 , 1971 and who have a disease VA recognizes as associated with Agent Orange exposure are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides . These Veterans do not have to show they were exposed to Agent Orange to be eligible for disability compensation for these diseases . VA and the Department of Defense must determine the Veteran's unit operated in the DMZ area and the Veteran was physically there . V Gulf War Deployed Veterans A now recognizes asthma , rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis related to exposure to particulate matter for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and other areas . To be eligible for presumption , a veteran must meet the following entitlement criteria : Has manifested chronic asthma , chronic rhinitis and / or chronic sinusitis , to include rhinosinusitis , within 10 years of separation from the last period of military service ; and Served any length of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations , beginning on August 2 , 1990 , through the present , as well as Afghanistan , Syria , Djibouti , or Uzbekistan on or after September 19 , 2001 . All Veterans with Lou Gehrig's Disease or all veterans diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease ( amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS ) the VA presumes it is related to their service . This is for all veterans with at least 90 days of continuous general job duties . Noise can come from gunfire , explosives , rockets , heavy weapons , jets and aircraft , and machinery . Health problems related to noise - High - intensity noise and vibration can cause or contribute to hearing loss and tinnitus ( ringing in the ears ) . The Institute of Medicine published a 2005 report , Noise and Military Service : Implications for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus . Health concerns ? If you are concerned about health problems associated with noise exposure during your military service , talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator . Veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system , find out if you qualify for VA health care . VA benefits - Veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits and health care benefits for health problems associated with noise exposure during military service . Veterans Diseases Associated with Agent Orange A assumes that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran's qualifying military service . We call these " presumptive diseases . " VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service . Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for disability compensation or survivors ' benefits for these diseases . AL Amyloidosis Cancer of the Bladder Chronic B - cell Leukemias Chloracne ( or similar acne form disease ) Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Hodgkin's Disease Hypothyroidism Ischemic Heart Disease Multiple Myeloma Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma Parkinsonism Parkinson's Disease Peripheral Neuropathy , Acute and Subacute Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers ( includes lung cancer ) Soft Tissue Sarcomas ( other than osteosarcoma , chondrosarcoma , Kaposi's sarcoma , or mesothelioma ) Children with Birth Defects active military service who served in any branch during any Camp Lejeune Water Contaminants period . ALS is not related to Agent Orange . This also means the spouse of these veterans may be entitled to VA benefits . B enefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans and family members include health care for 15 onditions listed in the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Veterans can receive disability and health care benefits for eight presumptive disease conditions associated with contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune . Attention Veterans & Spouses he Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has a program for veterans and their dependents called the State Soldiers Assistance Program ( SSAP ) . This program is based on income and assets and allows veterans and their dependents who qualify to use their local providers for dental procedures ( up to $ 1,000 each ) and optical ( exams and eye glasses - up to $ 400 each ) . ( Asset limits do NOT count a home , automobile ( s ) , or personal items ) . This program has assisted many veterans and their families with much needed dental and optical assistance . Below is a table showing monthly income and asset limits . If you think you may qualify , simply call or stop by the Cottonwood County Veterans Service Office . Family Size 2 3 Monthly Income Limit $ 2,608 $ 3,525 Asset Limit $ 10,000 $ 18,000 $ 4,442 $ 18,000 $ 5,358 $ 18,000 SSAP also has a one time denture program and a one time Special Needs program . The Special Needs program has assisted veterans and their families with such things as medical bills , home repairs , replacement furnaces , appliances , hearing aids , etc. It is important to remember that the Special Needs program does not have a strict income and asset limit . If you have any questions on any of these benefits contact- Cottonwood County Veterans Service Officer TODD DIBBLE Please call for an appointment : 507-831-5522 Hours : 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday thru Thursday 41385 Hwy . 71 PO Box 201 Windom , MN 56101 This ad made possible through a grant by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs minnesotaveteran.org 1-888 - linkvet