Dana Szafryk
"Bacterial and fungal infections of the feet were a major cause of temporary disability. Skin disease was a leading cause of outpatient visits and hospitalization. " ("Vietnam War Health Risks").
"Pesticide and herbicide spraying was commonplace. In addition, Vietnam is a tropical country with high temperatures, high humidity and a monsoon climate. Approximately 20 million gallons of herbicides were used in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 to remove unwanted plant life and leaves which otherwise provided cover for enemy forces during the Vietnam Conflict. " ("Vietnam War Health Risks").
"The name "Agent Orange" came from the orange stripe on the 55-gallon drums in which the herbicide was stored. Shortly following their military service in Vietnam, some Veterans reported a variety of health problems and concerns which some of them attributed to exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. " ("Vietnam War Health Risks").
"Hepatitis C Virus is the most common infection carried by blood in the United States and 63% of enrolled Veterans testing positive for HCV are Vietnam Era Veterans.
HCV infection is a major public health problem in the United States (U.S.) because of its potential to lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other life-threatening conditions. " ("Vietnam War Health Risks").
"related to service in Vietnam for the purposes of establishing service-connection: soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, respiratory cancers, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, acute periperal neuropathy, and spina bifida in offspring. " ("Vietnam War Health Risks").
"During the war, you were exposed to a lot of stress, confusion, anxiety, pain, and hatred. Then you were sent back home with no readjustment to the lifestyle in the states, no deprogramming of what you learned from the military, and no 'welcome home' parades. You are portrayed to the public as a crazed...