How to Help Veterans With Agent Orange Problems

During the Vietnam War, the United States Military utilized a number of defoliants and herbicides to reduce the density of jungle foliage in the combat area. As a result, US service members serving in the targeted areas received exposure to these harmful chemicals and suffered side effects. Today, a myriad of resources and information remains available to concerned citizens and family members who wish to assist veterans exposed to the harmful defoliant Agent Orange.

Instructions

• 1

  Call or visit the local VA office to gather information on the current policies, bulletins and medical treatments available to Vietnam-era veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange. Join an official mailing list or attend a local VA-sponsored meeting regarding new discoveries on Agent Orange exposure and related treatment.

• 2

  Call or visit a veterans service organization, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion, to speak with possible sufferers of Agent Orange exposure. In addition, ask the organizations key leaders and registered veterans for information on the the US government's policies and procedures regarding Vietnam-era service members.

• 3

  Conduct a records search. Because many Vietnam-era veterans suffer the long-term effects of exposure to a combat environment, proper medical record keeping remains a daunting task for many. With respect to privacy and information security, offer to track down lost or missing medical treatment records, while providing information on local VA post traumatic stress syndrome services. Begin a search for missing medical records by contacting the Federal government's National Archives service or the National Records Office.

• 4

  Visit hospital-bound sufferers of Agent Orange exposure to provide face-to-face comfort and support. In addition, provide used books or magazines for the the waiting or lounge areas of a servicing VA clinic, while volunteering for patient transport duties for the Veterans Hospital.