I was a BT from 1964/1968 on an old liberty ship built in 1945.
As part of our normal work day we were exposed to asbestos dust any where from
4 to 24 hours a day depending on what need tearing down & repaired. Everything was
insulated with asbestos, & any of it removed had to be replaced by us. The equipment,
piping, boilers etc would have a halo of dust around them from the vibrations.
I first filed claims for hearing & asbestos in 2007. Hearing was approved last spring.
My asbestos claim was denied the first time with the following reason, you smoked all those
years & you were healthy in 1968 when you got out therefore there is nothing wrong
with you. I got a little upset, got 2 gallons of flesh colored paint for my red "cheeks" , filed
an appeal.
In February of 2008 I had complete resperatory failure, wound up in local hospital (civilian)
& put on oxygen therapy. When I got out & able had oxygen switched to VA with no problems.
I get all my oxygen & supplies form the VA. I let a deadline get away from me last year for an
appeal on asbestos claim. I know, I know, for your info one can kick ones own behind. As
soon as I could I made a follow up appointment with my pulmonary doctor, who wrote up
a diagnosis of asbestosis due to working in enclosed engine room with asbestos dust. Refiled
claim in late July last year. Got my senator involved to, I figured I needed all the help I could get.
Then lo & behold I got my letter on January 3, money in the bank on the 5th.
Now comes the interesting part, the 2 main reasons it was approved was being on oxygen therapy
& my breathing tests. All of this info was available to them, but no one took the time to look.
I know that there are a lot of other guys out there that served under the same conditions, mabye
this will help them or get them off their butts !
Enough typing for awhile !