NOVEMBER 2004

Agent Orange and Vietnam

This is obviously very much in the public eye at the moment. For a number of reasons many Vietnam Veterans are not members of the RSA, but that does not mean that we do not provide them with the help and support they need. I would urge all RSA members who know of Vietnam Veterans and their families to ensure that they have made the appropriate applications for help from War Pension Services for those Vietnam War related health problems and disabilities and to ensure that the children are registered with Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.

Other Agent Orange related illnesses are Chloracne, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Type II Diabetes.

Disabilities and health conditions that are important to Vietnam Veterans, but which could also affect other Veterans dependent on where they served include: hypertension, adjustment problems, PTSD, contact dermatitis, skin rash, persistent fungal infections, depression, back problems, osteo-arthritis in hips and knees (if they jumped of the backs of lorries or from helicopters with full packs), hearing loss, alcohol dependence, neurotic anxiety, acne, and headaches.