I did not get your first reply. I am so thankful to meet you. You are
the 1st Vietnam Veteran I have met in 36 years with the same disease.

In 1967, No knew what I had. My local congressman worked with me to
go to Washington before a formal board hearing to keep the AF from
only giving me 20% and a severance pay of $2000. Not really their
fault because NO ONE knew what I had and it scared them to death.
I believe my congressman told SOMEONE to give this crap a name., Why
not buergers, after all, I smoked????????Sure.

In 1999, My private said I had type 2 diabetes. My VA record
indicates the VA was aware of this 1n 1995, but did not tell me. As a
matter of fact, they never told me!!!!!!. In 1999, my private PCP
tested me for Diabetes and guess what???? Type 2 diabetes.

I met a fellow comrad in the hallway at our local VA and he had a new
Accu-Chek machine. I havd received mine a few months before and made
a comment. HE told me to request an Agent Orange screening and after
a bunch of Bull****, several additional test including being
insulated as to my knowledge of Agent Orange before getting service-
connected w/ 20% disability. Let me say, They have lots of guys
asking for disability for A/O and I suppose thats why they ask all of
the questions. BUT, I have been in the system for 36 years, more than
than 12 operations and I know how I should be talked to. That my
friend, pissed me off.

I advise you to request an A/O screening to test you for exposure.
Are you a type 2 diabetic? Let me know and I will get your my
personnal e-mail and give you what information I know.

Did you get servive-connection for your illness? Gdoc