It's important to understand the health care needs of
Vietnam War veterans because of the long-term effects of military service
during the Vietnam War era. If you served during the Vietnam War, you may be at
risk of certain health conditions. Understanding these needs will allow you to
receive better care.
Learn about these conditions and what to do next to take
care of your health.
Diseases
related to Agent Orange: A toxic chemical used to clear trees and plants
that can cause long-term health effects
Hepatitis
C: A disease that can harm your liver
Hearing
problems caused by noise: Harmful sounds from guns, explosives, rockets,
heavy weapons, jets and aircraft, and machinery that can cause or add to
hearing loss and ringing in the ears
Illnesses
or injuries caused by job-related hazards: Chemicals, paints, radiation,
and other hazards you may have come across
What you can do now - Take these steps to make sure
you're taking care of your health:
Talk to your primary health care provider or your local
VA environmental health coordinator about other health concerns related to
your military service. Remember, you can use Secure Messaging (login required)
to send a private note to your doctor if you have any questions or worries.
Ask your local VA environmental health coordinator about
getting a free Agent
Orange Registry health exam.
Find out if you can get benefits from any illness or injury
caused, or made worse, by your active-duty service, such as illness-related to
agent orange or contact
with hazardous materials.
Be sure your doctor knows if you have a history of Agent
Orange exposure. Because of the possibility of increased cancer risk, your
doctor may suggest cancer screening tests and to report any symptoms as soon as
they appear.
Veterans are at risk for many types of cancer just like
everyone else, even if they haven't been exposed to Agent Orange. You can lower
your risk of cancer and other diseases by quitting smoking, staying at a
healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet.
If you have a My HealtheVet Premium account, you can easily
reach out to your health care teams with Secure Messaging (sign in required)
about taking steps to improve your health.
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