MICHIGAN VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY Phoenix Building – 5th Floor 222 Washington Square North Lansing, MI 48933 517-284-5298
Rick Snyder, Governor Jeff Barnes, Director
For Immediate Release February 13, 2014
Contact: Veronica LaDuke (517) 284-5298
Veterans: Be heart-smart this Valentine’s Day
LANSING – What does an herbicide have to do with heart health? If you or someone you love is a Vietnam veteran who was exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, the connection may be significant. To mark the 50th annual American Heart Month this February, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) urges veterans with heart-related conditions like coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) to work with a veterans’ service officer to find out if they are eligible for federal benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards benefits like health care and disability compensation to eligible veterans, based on their military service record and their health conditions. For some veterans, this can be as simple as showing they have been diagnosed with a health condition the VA recognizes as being linked to their time and location of service – what the VA calls a presumptive condition.
“In 2010, the VA formally recognized the link between Agent Orange exposure and coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease in the United States,” MVAA Director Jeff Barnes said. “This means the VA presumes a Vietnam veteran with coronary artery disease developed the condition as a result of his or her service when determining that veteran’s eligibility for VA benefits.”
Other conditions, such as arteriosclerosis, endocarditis and myocarditis may also be considered presumptive for veterans with at least 90 days of continuous service, depending on when the veteran developed symptoms.
Heart-related illness remains the leading killer of both men and women in the United States, claiming the lives of nearly 600,000 American adults each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Americans can reduce their risk for heart-related illness by making healthy choices like:
• Staying active • Reducing stress • Eating a balanced diet or improving your diet • Quitting smoking • Reducing alcohol consumption
“Regular medical check-ups are also vital, because they can help catch problems before they become life-threatening,” said MVAA Director of Targeted Outreach Nick Cook. “If a veteran qualifies for VA healthcare, he or she has access to a top-notch medical care system at little or no cost, depending on the veteran’s individual circumstances.”
Regardless of whether your heart condition qualifies as a presumptive condition, if you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, an accredited veterans’ service officer can help you determine what benefits you may have earned and file an application with the VA. For more information on veterans’ benefits or to connect with an accredited veterans’ service officer, contact MVAA at 517-284-5298 or visit www.michiganveterans.com.
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency mission is to serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Services and their families, to services and benefits throughout the state of Michigan. The agency values inclusion, integrity, transparency, innovation and respect and aspires to provide the customer service experience that veterans deserve.
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