Ascomdepot68

Posting this for comments. May help someone or give then ideas. Maybe even the “father” may see it. This is posted on a well known site on the internet, don't know if can enter that link here, under Seoul as that is the only location listed for that country. Most other countries are also available also if you have interests elsewhere. It is FREE. -------------------------------------------------------------------- $15,000 Reward Offered (Buyeong) $15,000 Reward (Buyeong Korea) Offering $15,000 (US) for the following: Proof of physical presence of Agent Orange herbicide or Agent Blue herbicide on US Army ASCOM Depot APO 96220 at Bupyeong South Korea at any time during the period March 20 1968 to March 20 1969. "Proof "would be official US government documentation such as supply records,manifests, "twixts", color photographs showing AO barrels, etc of 55 gallon drums of Agent Orange or Agent Blue herbicide physically inside the compound. Photos should have some identifiable landmark specific to area in background. NOT seeking proof of use or spraying at the depot or anyplace else. Payment is contingent on two things: #1 Acceptance and authentication of provided proof by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. #2 Payment of retroactive disability compensation to poster. Please understand it will not be a quick transaction but you will get the money if I get what I need ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have had three responses. One from a lady inquiring if she had to me in the military to get the records (?). One from a guy who writes “ What exactly are you looking for or wanting ? I'm able to enter and exit the U.S army base here I'm Korea.” The most interesting and promising was from a guy (since identified) who wrote:“I have all the documents pertaining to agent orange being stored at bupyeong during 1966 to 1974. My father gathered them for his disability claim.” I wrote back inquiring if his father had been successful on his initial try or if he had to appeal. If appealed, could I get the citation#, etc from the BVA to see if it might meet my requirements. There are no, to my knowledge, successful claims on appeal from ASCOM Depot, maybe someoneone has won their initial claim but no means of checking. When I hadn't heard from him in about two weeks I write back to which he responds, “ To release person documents of my father's for some money that's not even guaranteed doesn't really interest me. “ That comment tells me the guy was probably just “blowin smoke” but who knows. I do have his name now and he is American. I think his father is deceased from the tone of his message but can you imagine how his father would feel if his son wasn't willing to assist other servicemen (never mind the money)? I relist the posting about every 30 days. You never know. I calculate my retro now would be about $42,000 so while offering $15,000 might seem like a lot I think giving an attorney 20% isn't that much diferent and such documents would open the way to claims for about 38,000 servicemen per year who entered the ROK between 1968-1971.

My original claim filed July 7, 2010 was at St Pete because I was living in Orlando FL, Denied and filed appeal, requested review. Moved to Georgia in August 2011 and filed about 8 more issues, then NSC pension in October 2011. File got moved here to Atlanta, although they say the pension is under Philadelphia, my file is here in Atlanta. I wish they would assign a serial number like when claims are first filed and they have to adjudicate in order. Saying they do them in order and that actually happening is another matter and we have no way of knowing. Still it stands to reason that if it gets out or "order" for any reason be it Congressional inquiry, request for copy of C file, moving, etc. then there is a good chance that it would "move" in the pile. I guess the question boils down to the amount of work to be done at the older versus the new VARO. Course if you have to move then it sort of a rhetorical question..

Just wondering if an American Veteran has ever sued (successfully or not), even filed suit, against the government of Vietnam or Korea over Agent Orange related disabilities? Know we can't sue the US federal government. The US policy is that the AO, Agent Blue, whatever, were the property of the respective governments once it entered their space. To me this would seem to be in addition to whatever assistance a Veteran was receiving from the US. It would also enable a Veteran's attorney to have the power of subpoena, a real courtroom trial, etc. instead of the travesty we must endure at present. Maybe some large attorney group would like to open a class action suit? Of course since it has not been done (?) there may be some real reason it hasn't happened already. Just thinking.

One thing to remember is that how a lot of the C files are not at the VAROs but at the VSRs homes as a lot of the employees telecomute. The best way is to make a Privacy Act request to the VARO for a copy of your C file and wait about 5-6 months. Don't expect it to be complete though, my last request results had over 100 pages missing that I had submitted and have usps receipts for, as well as other Veterans medical records and personal information to include SSNs. It will give a very general idea of what they have been doing as far as what the VA has developed. Wish I could be more uplifting but it is what it is. The VA.

Did you check for any new letters under the letter generator on eBenefits??

Reported this same thing at 0706 hours today. No reply to my message but found yours. Are you on pension as I am or is this for disability? Guess the important thing is to watch the bank for the deposits. Don't like to give money back and I hope it is found before it messes up a lot of people. Especially those who write checks without balancing their checkbooks.

Receiving NSC pension as greater benefit. Checked this am on payments. One payment listed for 1/31/2014 and one payment for 2/1/2014, same amount. Obviously a glitch but sure to mess up your balance at the bank. AND they will take it back as soon as problem is discovered. Anyone else?

Finally have the fax number and street address with stop of Office of Communications and Case Management. If anyone wants it PM me, I'm not on here a lot but will respond. Took a FOIA request, which they "lost" for 80+ days, appealed to OIG, they transfered it to another office and got the info. THe letter they sent gave fax number as one of the ones I had called before. Fax failed. Tried calling telephone number provided, IT WAS A FAX LINE!. Oh well, complete the mission! As a parallel I was faxing the inquiry letter to 1 Senator and 2 Congressman. VA fed the Senator "_ _ _ _", Jeff Miller office spoke of "congresional courtesy" and one never heard from yet. Doesn't do much to make the veteran feel he is being assisted At the same time got info for Under Secretary of Field Operations (their boss) in case I need it.

First your request would be a request under the Privacy Act not the FOIA as it deals with personal information specific to you. Requests under the Privacy Act must be in writing and signed by the requestor. Last is is standard verbage in acknowledgements and responses from the VA to state: " We make it our practice to respond to requests/appeals in the order received" Unfortunately, there is no way to shortcut the wait. I have made several to the VA (and many to various agencies), it takes varying amounts of time. Think in terms of 6-7 months and you may not be disappointed. Sorry I couldn't be more positive to an early resolution.

Previously had 2 or 3 Special Correspondence Claims listed when I check eBenefits. All Congressional Inquiries "on my behalf". All resulted in VA feeding same stuff to Congress as they offered me. Checking lately as I have at least 2 "in the works" to see when they showed up on eBenefits. It has been the policy apparently of the VA to not post the "claims" (Congressional Inquiries) until they had responded to Congressman. No way to check progress but at least I would know ehen to start the clock waiting to hear from their office. Today I checked and all of earlier Special Correspondence Claims are not listed at all on eBenefits. They were listed on Friday but gone today which means they probably were taken off over the weekend during the frequent maintenance we have all come to enjoy so much. I was wondering if everyone's is gone or just mine and what if any signifigance (?) it may have. Technical problem or washing the laundry in VA fashion? Would appreciate any insight.

Made iris inquiry as to why NOD received at Philadelphia VARO was not listed on eBenefits after 26 days. After 8 days I got message tha the inquiry was beng forwarded to the local ATL VARO (not where I submitted NOD). Response I got today : "Please allow 60 to 90 days for new documents to be uploaded into our new paperless system." Wrote back, told them I would contact again on 12/27/2013 the 91st day after receipt if not listed under appeals on eBenefits. Also suggested that they change the "up to 21 days" verbage on eBenefits to reflect the "new" procedure. So another way to delay everything.

The email address you provided is for the Appeals Management Center. I'm looking for Office of Communications and Case Mangaement. Different offices and departments.

stillhere What search terms did you use??

Ok, I called each of the two numbers two times each with at least two days in between calls. Goes more or less straight to recorder where you are asked to leave name, number, and VA file #. No response. Anyone with any ideas.? I was thinking about faxing it to Shinsecki's office with a note to please forward it to Case Management but I promised myself I wouldn't contact his office again.

Does anyone have an email address for Office of Communications and Case Management in Washington DC?. I have the phone numbers ending 5674 and 7453. I try to stay off the phone with the VA both to have a record of what was said and not said and to keep my blood pressure down. I was referred to them by the VA OIG who supplied the phone numbers. If anyone has email address please PM me. Thanks.

On 1/12/2011 St Petersburg received my request under the Privacy Act for a copy of my C-file. Completed 6/15/2011, received 646 pages.. Time 5 months 3 days. Add about a week in mail going-and a week coming. File was not complete as received. Appealed. Sent 3 of items complained of but not all. Moved to Georiga 8/2012. On 5/30/2012 Atlanta received my request under the Privacy Act for a copy of documents that had been added to C-file since 6/15/2011. Completed 1/15/2013., received 857 pages Time 7 months 15 days. Add about a week in mail going and a week coming. Requested only documents added since 6/15/2011 BUT ATL copied most of earlier documents. In ATL case: #1 Entire documents missing and pages missing from others. Have return receipts showing arrival. Things like requests under the VCAA to obtain files in federal hands, VA Forms 21-4138 filed by veteran, DA Form 20, 2 NODS, various matters concerning iris inquiries and responses, requests for outpatient treatment records to VA hospital and VAMC, Appeal Certification Worksheet on 2nd appeal, approximately 1/2 of the AO exam, all education related documents 1972-1976, followup request for herbicide exposure records, etc, etc. #2 VA furnished documentation with personal information (social security numbers) of other service members without redaction. In all fairness I supplied these originally. #3 VA furnished at least one medical related document (an eye test) for a patient that was not the requestor. #4 Cover letter accompanying files did not furnish appeal rights or address to appeal to as required. (I know the drill and have the address) Needless to say I am not a happy camper. The letter is going out later tomorrow to the VAOGC. WATCH THESE PEOPLES CLOSELY AT EVERY TURN. CONFIRM EVERYTHING AND DOUBLE CHECK Meanwhile I have 2 separate FOIA requests to Ft Jackson and Ft Benning sitting at Ft Sam Houston FOIA/PA office for an IDA determination. These have been out for 52 and 49 working days respectively, although they are supposed to be answered in 20/30 working days.

I have just started receiving an old age pension as it was greater than the 10% rating for tinnitus. Apparently the "deduction" for medical expenses must be applied for. My recurring medical expenses for Medicare were $99 per month, now with the change will be $104. My income means I am eligible to have about $50 per month reimbursed. I can see applying for travel for medical care and OTC meds since that would be variable, but Medicare deductions are standard. The "claim" which the form generates has a expected completion time of 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 months. So vets with little as it is are expected to go through the motions just to get back what they already had. Of course if I understand it correctly, a vet under pension is able to declare dental expenses (implants?) and I'm wondering if an IMO would be claimable?

Lets try this again: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDIR-2011-12-01/html/CDIR-2011-12-01-DEPARTMENTS-14.htm

Maybe you can find what you're looking for here. http://www.gpo.gov/f...DEPARTMENTS-14. or maybe the new list is out now. Didn't work. Check my other posting.

Greetings Maybe this will give some insight: Cut and pasted from a iris inquiry response I received just today: "In addition, we received your Notice of Disagreement (NOD) on April 18, 2011 at the regional office (RO) in Atlanta. You elected a review by a decision review officer (DRO). Right now, your appeal is awaiting that review. If we need additional information, we will notify you. If we do not need any additional information, the DRO will render a decision, and you will receive written notification. The processing of an NOD averages about 394 days. The length of time it takes to process your NOD depends on the specifics of your case and VA’s pending workload." My inquiry was concerning a second NOD which was not recorded on eBenefits. Have return receipt. after 22 working days, it was not listed under appeals, thus I made the inquiry. VA claims non receipt. So I sent them a second copy of the second NOD. One problem you will have is that one never knows for certain what is in the C file unless you get a copy or ask to see the file. Me, I'm waiting on a copy since 5/25/2012. IMO you will wait longer for a sit down review than one done without a sit down. Will you receive any better treatment, I don't know. My 1st NOD has been at the VA for 595 days (significantly longer than the average of 394 days) and was for one contention as was the claim. The 1st NOD was to St Petersburg VARO, the second to Atlanta. Statistically VA figures show that Atlanta is now slightly worse than St Petersburg if you count such things as # of claims processed, backlog, errors, etc when I think it used to be the other way around. Just my luck. I am handling my own claims. Appeals may prove to be too difficult, don't know yet. All you can do is wait. Spend your time researching your issues and gathering additional evidence. Good luck and DO NOT GIVE UP.

Wondering if anyone here has actually picketed a VA Regional Office and if so what were the end results? Did you get the results (?) you had hoped for or was it a waste of time? I have tried the "special correspondence" approach 4 times, Secretary of VA, 2 Senators, and the President. Got nowhere. I performed a seach on hadit using picket and picketed and only one item came up. From all appearances I think the man was just talking about doing it not that he had done it. About 50% of my issues are AO related which is why I am posting under this category but the callousness, indifference,or ignoring of the VA covers all.

I will try to post 6 messages concerning the shipment and arrival of Agent Orange and Agent Blue from Saigon RVN to Republic of Korea. I do not have a full list of the units at that location (Camp Seattle) as of yet but at least the following units were there on that date (3/20/1968). 1st Base Post Office CCA (I think this means Container Control Activity) a detachment of Co A, 728th MP Co. Hq & Hq Co, Inchon Petroleum Depot 503rd MP Detachment HQ detachment 202nd Transportation BN there was also a TMD unit there (household goods) and probably others I haven't uncovered The DoD is at present unsure of the location or route that the shipment took from there to "forward locations near the DMZ" where it arrived on 10 April 1968. I suspect it came to USA ASCOM Depot at Bupyeong as all supplies in the northern half of Korea did. These documents were acquired under a Freedom of Information Act request to Eighth US Army CG. This was perhaps 2% of what I requested (didn't even really ask for these) but this is part of what they sent I think to attempt to sidestep what I really asked for. The denial is under appeal. Robert McNamara, then Secretary of Defense, once said in relation to interview, debates, and speaches "Never answer the question asked, instead answer the question you wished would have been asked." Anyway, hope these help someone. f600.pdf f100.pdf f200.pdf f300.pdf f400.pdf f500.pdf

I am currently taking Fish Oil prescribed and provided by the VA. Fish Oil Ultra with Natural Omega-3 1000 mg softgels made by AVKare. NDC# 42291-402-01 Just received 6 more bottles about 2 weeks ago. Also currently taking generic Crestor prescribed and provided by VA. Also taking an iron supplement prescribed and provided by VA. Was going to Orlando VAMC until 8/2011 where a Doctor of Osteopathy at VA prescribed to get my "bad" cholesterol down. Now I am going to Lawrenceville GA VA clinic. It may have something to do with your particular facility although logically it should all be the same. If they say the VA doesn't issue, that is an untruth. My best advice is to go see the Advocate at your facility if they won't voluntarily provide. As for the bad aftertaste if you keep the fish oil bottle sealed in a quart jar in the refrigerator it will help. Occasionally I do get the belches about 30 minutes after taking and it is not the most pleasant taste. At present I am not SC for anything but receive free meds due to low income. At 50% they should provide all your meds for SC or NSC without cost.

First some background. Filed claim for IHD due to AO exposure on 7/6/2010, denied on 4/4/2011.,Appealed with a NOD and requested DRO on 5/23/2011. Filed claim for DJD, hypothyroidism, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, seurm sickness ( they came back and wanted to know if I wanted them to consider stroke and heart attack, etc to which I said yes) on 4/28/2011. Filed claim for NSC pension due to being over 65 and low income, received at Atlanta VARO on 10/26/2011. Watch eBenefits daily. After 50 days I submitted an iris inquiry because the NSC pension claim was not showing. At approximatedly 1430 hours today received a call (after requesting email response!) from the St Pete VARO, I had submittted to Atlanta, having moved here in August. According to him a veteran cannot have a dual claim as he put it. He said if I never had filed any sort of claim it would go to Philadelphia and stand on its own. Since I have a pending disability claim according to him it has to be added as an additional item just like if it were a bad knee or something.. He and I sort of got into it, partly because I won't take anything they say as the gospel. Ended up telling him based on what he was telling me I would approve adding the NSC pension application to the list of disabilities I was claiming. Sounds sort of strange to me but then sort of makes sense. Have a call coming in from my Senator's office probably on Tuesday about a long list of problems I have had with iris people and their responses over the past year or so. Just want to get my ducks in a row before I have that conversation. So basically I am asking if it is or not possible to have two separate claims in at the same time, one for NSC pension and one for SC disability. Problem is with the time they take to finalize the claim on a SC application the NSC pension will be stalled until the end of that. Was hoping for the $$ small though it was in the interim. If you can have separate claims, a cite on the particular CFR or whatever would be helpful. Ideas or thoughts. Thanks and have a Happy New Year to ALL!

Filling in the blanks here. The "special correspondence" was a letter I wrote to Secretary Shinseki's office. The letter was not answered by DC but sent to VARO in St Pete for a response. St Pete glossed over the entire affair. There is a copy of my letter in the C-file that I received. There is NOT a copy of the response from DC in my C-file. When I send the next batch of papers in I will be sure to include a copy. I want my file to be complete! So I guess any corresponsence from a Senator/Representative would also qualify. Ding it' Now I have to check the 668 pages again!