[Brady]

Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Brady on Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:31 pm

I am 44 years old, and I just got the news that I am heading towards my 2nd stem cell transplant. I don't let it bother me, though. I am very humbled by my illness as I know many are suffering through a lot more then I am.

I am a veteran of the 1st Gulf War; served in theater in 1991. Many days had exposure to the oil smoke from all the fires.

I am just curious if there are any other veterans out there who served in theater during that time and who have myeloma or any other blood cancers.

[kullybunnny1]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by kullybunnny1 on Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:57 pm

Brady, I served during Desert Shield / Storm and have multiple myeloma. I was an aircrew member on a cargo transplant aircraft and flew throughout the AOR. We did get exposed to oil fires in theater. I was also involved in every major conflict from 1984 -2010.

Thank you for your service, I hope your staying connected with the VA for medical support.

Kully

[Brady]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Brady on Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:58 am

Thank you, Kully, for your service also. Were you able to get service connected disability for your disease? I have tried twice but have been told each time there is not enough evidence to prove that the exposure is the cause of my disease.

[kullybunnny1]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by kullybunnny1 on Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:20 am

Brady, stay the course. Vietnam veterans have had a long struggle to get the support they deserve for exposure to Agent Orange. As I mentioned, I've been to many hot spots around the world during my service, and I'm not sure if my cancer was service related. Saying that, be sure to stay in touch with your local veterans services (Amvets, VFW, American Legion) for assistance. The term used is "Assumed" when it's determined that exposure was causal to a service member's cancer. Keep or arrange to collect your service medical records, this will help your efforts.

Thanks again for your and all veterans' service, and for all those who support them!

Kully

[Keva]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Keva on Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:53 pm

Hi,

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October, 2015. I was deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan. I'm wondering if there are any other veterans who have been diagnosed with this disease who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan?

[JPC]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by JPC on Sat Feb 20, 2016 3:01 pm

Hello Keva:

If you play with the advanced search feature of the forum, you will find several discussions on the subject. Two issues that come to mind. First, Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam vets, as I recall, was a risk factor for multiple myeloma. Secondly, I believe it was shown that responders to the World Trade Center site had a higher risk factor for multiple myeloma, presumably from breathing the fumes.

Good luck. JPC

[Jonah]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Jonah on Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:47 pm

This search for forum discussions should bring up a lot (most?) of the veteran-related threads here in the forum.

[cindylouise]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by cindylouise on Sun Feb 21, 2016 11:42 am

Hi,

My ex-husband was a Marine. One other source could be if you were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, particularly if you lived in base housing at Tarawa Terrace, or Hadnot point. I don't have the link but a google search should help you find it. I believe the issue was benzene leakage into the water storage tanks.

I know at one time multiple myeloma was on the list of diseases caused by exposure, but I also know they revise it quite a bit, and it's all in a lot of legal limbo. But it's worth checking into if you were stationed there prior to 84, I believe.

Thank you all for your service.

[Artilleryman]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Artilleryman on Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:09 pm

Cindylouise,

I believe multiple myeloma was added to the Agent Orange list of service-connected diseases in 1993. In addition, I have never seen the list of diseases revised. Can you imagine what would happen if they removed a disease or medical condition of a veteran that was receiving compensation for a specific disease?

I was totally and permanently disabled by the VA for multiple myeloma 9 years ago.

Tom in Michigan.

[Gary D]

Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma

by Gary D on Sat Mar 05, 2016 9:48 pm

I am a Vietnam veteran and filed a claim for service connection shortly after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma last year. The VA quickly approved my claim since multiple myeloma is a presumptive disability for Vietnam vets based on our Agent Orange exposure.

I was also stationed at Camp Lejune during the drinking water contamination. I think the VA will issue regulations soon concerning illnesses possibly caused by that chemical exposure.

I am retired from the VA and used to be in charge of processing veterans disability claims for vets living in Oklahoma and Missouri.