🎖️ VALOR

Once a Marine, Always a Hero: The Story of Jayfeth Maldonado

In this Story of Valor, we're honored to feature one of our very own, Veronica Mele, who shares a powerful tribute to her fiancé, Jayfeth Maldonado. A former U.S. Marine who served from 2009 to 2013 and deployed to Afghanistan as a crash and rescue specialist, Jayfeth's courage was tested in moments that would forever shape his life.  

Once a veteran, forever a Marine, but most importantly, an amazing father to three beautiful girls and a great partner.

My fiancé was in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2013, and he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 until 2011, where he served in crash and rescue operations.  Although there were many difficult situations that he had to respond to, there was one specific incident that affected him, which he often speaks about.

While guarding a post, a small child approached him quickly on a bicycle. His training told him to remain alert as other machine gun posts had been attacked by children carrying grenades, and the worst possibility flashed through his mind.  

With a knot in his stomach, he paused long enough to really see the boy. In that moment, he realized the child was not a threat at all. He was asking for help and needed medicine for his sick mother.

Moments like this, along with the many mass-casualty events he responded to, and the KIAs caused by roadside IEDs, marked him deeply and reshaped his life in ways he never expected.

From the moment I met him, I noticed how severe his PTSD was. After learning about all the gruesome rescues, I understood his condition. However, with time and love, he has made significant progress. He has obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology and is pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.

He hopes that with his experiences and education, he can help many other veterans who are struggling with PTSD.

If you would like to honor veterans like Domingo, you can watch more Stories of Valor on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Maximizing Your Agent Orange Benefits: Why Presumptive and Secondary Conditions Are Key 

Understanding Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions and Secondary Connections 

Agent Orange exposure has affected thousands of veterans who served in Vietnam and nearby regions. The VA recognizes that many long-term health conditions can stem from exposure to this toxic herbicide and has created a list of presumptive conditions—diseases automatically linked to military service for compensation purposes. 

In addition, many veterans develop secondary conditions related to those primary Agent Orange illnesses, which can significantly increase their overall VA disability rating. 

What Are Presumptive Conditions? 

Presumptive conditions are health issues that the VA assumes were caused by service, without requiring veterans to prove direct medical causation. This means veterans diagnosed with one of these conditions (if they served in a qualifying location and timeframe)can receive VA benefits automatically. 

The VA’s current list of Agent Orange presumptive conditions includes: 

• AL Amyloidosis (added 2006) 

• Bladder Cancer (added 2021) 

• Chloracne (added 1991) 

• Chronic B-cell Leukemia (added 2003) 

• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (added 2001) 

• Hodgkin’s Disease (added 1994) 

• Hypertension (added 2022) 

• Hypothyroidism (added 2021) 

• Ischemic Heart Disease (added 1991) 

• Monoclonal Gammopathy (MGUS) (added 2022) 

• Multiple Myeloma (added 2016) 

• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (added 1991) 

• Parkinson’s Disease (added 2010) 

• Parkinsonism (added 2021) 

• Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset (added 2013) 

• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (added 1994) 

• Prostate Cancer (added 2013) 

• Respiratory Cancers (added 1994) 

• Soft Tissue Sarcomas (added 1991) 

Who Qualifies for Agent Orange Benefits? 

Veterans may qualify for presumptive service connection if one of the following applies: 

• Served in Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. 

• Served near the Korean DMZ from Sept. 1, 1967, to Aug. 31, 1971. 

• Served aboard U.S. military vessels that operated on Vietnam’s inland waterways or coastal areas. 

• Were stationed in Thailand, Guam, or other designated areas where herbicides were tested or stored (expanded under the Honoring Our PACT Act). 

Veterans unsure of exposure can check their service record against known contamination areas using resources like the Blue Water Navy Map. 

What Are Secondary Conditions? 

Secondary conditions are illnesses caused or worsened by a primary service-connected condition. For Agent Orange exposure, this could mean one disease triggers another, impacting your health and disability rating. 

Examples include: 

• Heart disease secondary to hypothyroidism 

• Depression secondary to cancer 

• Sleep apnea secondary to Parkinson’s disease 

• Kidney failure secondary to multiple myeloma 

• Peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II 

Identifying and filing secondary conditions can help veterans increase their overall VA rating: sometimes turning a 50% rating into a full 100%. 

How to Strengthen a Secondary Condition Claim 

1. Identify the Link: Clearly show how your primary Agent Orange condition caused or aggravated another health issue. 

2. Gather Evidence: Collect doctors’ statements, treatment notes, and lay or buddy statements. 

3. File or Appeal: Submit a VA claim for secondary conditions through the VA website or work with a qualified attorney to assist in connecting your conditions. 

Additional Benefits for Agent Orange-Exposed Veterans 

Veterans who qualify for Agent Orange-related compensation may also be eligible for: 

• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): For veterans who need aid and attendance or have lost use of limbs or organs. 

• Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU): Provides 100% disability compensation if service-connected conditions prevent gainful employment. 

• Dependents and Survivors Benefits: Including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and education assistance for eligible dependents. 

Why It Matters 

Agent Orange exposure can create a cascade of long-term health effects. By understanding both presumptive and secondary conditions, veterans can ensure their VA compensation accurately reflects the full scope of their service-connected disabilities. 

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us every Tuesday at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?

Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.

If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

You Need To Know This About Agent Orange Disability Claims 

In this video, Hill & Ponton’s video producer, Nate Flemming, takes viewers through the story of Agent Orange, explaining what it was, how it was used, and why its effects still ripple through the veteran community decades later. He describes how this potent mix of herbicides, used heavily during the Vietnam War, was meant to clear vegetation but instead left behind one of the most toxic chemicals known to science: dioxin. 

Flemming explains that many service members came into contact with Agent Orange through multiple routes, including airborne spraying over jungles, ground application during operations, contaminated uniforms and equipment, and even polluted drinking water. Those who served in Vietnam, along the Korean DMZ, in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, or on C-123 aircraft and Navy vessels operating near Vietnam faced the highest risk of exposure. 

Next, attorney Ursula Mecabe joins to break down how veterans can get service-connected for Agent Orange exposure. She walks through the three main paths: presumptive, direct, and secondary service connection. Veterans with a qualifying diagnosis who served in a designated area during specific periods can often qualify automatically under presumptive service connection. Attorney Mecabe explains that even if a condition is not on the VA’s official list, veterans can still pursue direct service connection by proving their illness was caused by exposure. She also highlights the importance of secondary service connection, where one Agent Orange-related condition leads to another, such as hypertension worsening heart or kidney problems.  

The discussion then moves to Hill & Ponton attorneys Rachel Cheek and Shelley Mark, who address the second-generation impact of Agent Orange. They explain that the children of exposed veterans, especially male veterans, face a higher risk of certain birth defects. The most recognized is spina bifida, a condition that occurs when a baby’s spinal column does not close properly during development. The VA officially acknowledges spina bifida as the only covered condition for children of male veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and provides affected children with health care and vocational training benefits to help them lead fuller lives. 

Flemming closes by reminding viewers that while the story of Agent Orange is painful, knowledge is power. Veterans and families who understand how exposure affects their health have a stronger path to the benefits they deserve. The video serves as both an education and a call to action, ensuring that those affected by Agent Orange across generations know where to turn for help. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!