This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[mlhayes47]

I am a Vietnam Veteran and have been diagnosed with MS over 3 years. Due to the VA's "7 year rule" I cannot get compensation for my disease. The "7 year rule" has no basis other than if you do not have a diagnosis of MS within 7 years after your discharge from the service you do not qualify for compensation. I am trying to go back and link any symtoms I had after my discharge and within this 7 year period. I began having migraine headaches within the first year and 6 years after I had a month long bout with mononeucleosis. These are the only things I can remember being it was long ago. Of course I do not have any proof since my doctors or either dead or missing plus their records have been destroyed. Does anyone know of any concrete or even minor evidence of a connection between MS and Agent Orange? If I can prove that I might be able to get help that route. At this time I have been able to get my drugs(Avonex, Provigil, Baclofen, and Effexor) from the VA at a significantly reduced price. However since I do not trust the VA Health system I am using private Docs to treat all of my illnesses(MS, Sarcoidosis, Diabetes, Acid Reflux, Arthritus, Torn Rotator Cuffs, Torn Miniscus). This of course is quite expensive and it takes me years to payoff MRI's and such. If anyone has anymore information on Agent Orange and it's effects on or causing of diseases please let me know. Thanks for listening to me!

[bromley]

Dear vet,

Apparently, it is reported that following the various Gulf wars (I and II) there has been a relatively high number of cases of MS and also ALS among US troops (not sure what the position is re UK troops). This may be due to innoculations / other agents etc.

I note that you also have mono - some experts think that mono (EBV) may be the trigger for MS.

Best of luck

Ian

[robbie]

I had mono too when i was a kid, do ya think there could be a connection ?

[Arron]

hey there, user "trunfalo" was a Marine in Vietnam...

http://www.thisisms.com/survey-showrepl ... -0.html#14

Hope this helps!

[jimmylegs]

there is a large ebv (mono) subset of ms patients. anyone interested could search the forum for ebv to read about that branch of investigation.