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Jumpmaster

Second Class Petty Officers
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  1. Donna Tornoe is Admin for Face Book Agent Orange in Panama group. She has written a book titled “The Travels of Orange” an interesting read with facts-based research showing herbicides shipped, stored and used in Panama 1971. Donna lived at Fort Sherman where her husband served. All the bases Fort Clayton, Fort Kobee/Howard AFB, Albrook AFB, Rodman Marine Barracks, reverted into private businesses, and residential communities. On December 31, 1999, the United States, in accordance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, officially hands over control of the Panama Canal putting the strategic waterway into Panamanian hands for the first time. Checkout links below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2uuQj9MmrU Travels of Orange YouTube channel The website agentorangeinpanama.com. You can also private message Donna. https://www.facebook.com/groups/185669168140987/user/100000526663375/ I hope this will help you with VA related matters, I believe others will chime in soon.
  2. Jfrei, I agree strongly with Bronco and Gastone. It's time to get a knowledgeable legal beagle to help you win. Think about it this way sometime there's comes a time in life when it's better to get a good 80/20 split as we get older damn it's not bad to go no lower than 70/30 for peace of mind. Good luck and God Bless.
  3. Congrats it's encouraging to everyone still waiting. Enjoy Life, Good Health. celebrate this victory with your family.
  4. Hello Ms. Berta and Happy Thanksgiving, I posted Panama Herbicide Exposure research in reply to questions from Maestro and Sammy104 dated May 10 and October 16 posts. The Hadit Forum is a great place to research all Rainbow Herbicides, TCDD, Silvex, Tordon 101, Dioxin and Toxins use outside Vietnam. It takes many years of due diligence, research, sorting through (unredacted) herbicide inventories, camouflaged shipping documents, to uncover evidence and chemical ingredients within rainbow herbicides, that strengthen your exposure claim or appeal. The VA and JSRRC are adversarial, corrupt, and veterans die from presumptive diseases, waiting for SC and their exposure evidence is discounted by email from VA Comp Services using blanket denials…herbicides are not dangerous to veterans, and does l not cause the presumptive diseases listed…your exposure never happened according to our official VA and DOD records, and by the way that IOM list is erroneous…LOL Many veterans toss in the towel and give up because the VA and the JSRRC routinely lie, and interject the issue of “tactical” herbicides into debates when in reality, the phrase “tactical herbicides” merely has its origin in the “tactical deployment” of such herbicides during the Vietnam War. For years, VA and JSRRC have colluded and made the mistake of developing for evidence of herbicide use by limiting its inclusion of “tactical herbicides” to Agent Orange. In doing this, VA’s mistake is routinely failure to seek evidence of herbicide use that contains one or more of the listed “agents” at 38 CFR 3.307(a) (6). VA has pulled the (rope-a-dope) on veterans and maneuvered in partnership with JSRRC and only sought evidence of Agent Orange. However, the Army Supply Bulletin (SB 3-40 at 4) show that herbicide “Agent White” is “Picloram-Silvex Salt” otherwise known as “Tordon 101” aka “Agent White” ordered in a 55-gallon drum but the exact same herbicide could also be ordered in a 5-gallon drum by your grumpy unit Supply NCO and S3 staffers know that VA’s refusal to acknowledge herbicide exposure based on assertions that certain exposures were only to “commercial” herbicides which is a smokescreen to discourage veterans from further appeal of adverse decisions with new material evidence. BERTA SAID: I have problems with this statement. Can you give us the source of this: "The presumption acts to lessen the evidentiary burden on a veteran filing a claim for compensation. In other words, the veteran does not need to provide evidence of specific exposure to Agent Orange if the VA has already accepted that the veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange." Yes, the Source comes from the PCZVA website including the following Q&A statement. "Although thousands of veterans served in the Panama Canal Zone, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize it as a place in which veterans were exposed to tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. Is that about to change? Is there now sufficient evidence to convince VA that Agent Orange was sprayed in the Panama Canal Zone?? I don’t have the answer to the first question. Frankly, I don’t know whether VA is ready to concede that Agent Orange was sprayed in the Panama Canal Zone. I do believe that there is sufficient evidence to convince VA in individual cases that veterans have been exposed to Agent Orange in the Panama Canal Zone. I’ll summarize and discuss the evidence for veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone in future posts, but first, I want to explain a bit about Agent Orange and presumptive service connection for VA disability compensation." - Sean Ravin Review of your 13 hits reveals (WINNERS) SERVICE CONNECTED HERBICIDE EXPOSURE for three Panama Veterans highlight summary follows. ___________________________________________________________________________ REOPENED NEW EVIDENCE APPEAL GRANTED Citation Nr: 1606191 Decision Date: 02/18/16 Archive Date: 03/01/16 DOCKET NO. 03-20 523 ) DATE ORDER New and material evidence having been received, the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthmatic bronchitis, as a result of exposure to herbicides, is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. New and material evidence having been received, the claim of entitlement to service connection for uveitis of the right eye with increased ocular pressure and defective vision, as a result of exposure to herbicides, is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. New and material evidence having been received, the claim of entitlement to service connection for increased ocular pressure of the left eye with defective vision, as a result of exposure to herbicides, is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. REMAND At the time of its April 2009 remand as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a skin disability, and sarcoid arthritis, each as a result of exposure to herbicides, the Board directed the AOJ to complete specific development of the Veteran's claims to comply with the directives of the November 2008 Joint Motion. It is clear that the salient issue before the Board, as to all of the disabilities currently on appeal, is whether the Veteran was exposed during service to herbicides and/or other chemicals during service. This issue has been complicated by multiple entities serving as record keepers and multiple requests made by the AOJ for information made numerous times over the course of the appeal. However, the Board requires additional development prior to adjudicating the Veteran's claims. In summary, the Veteran asserts that he was exposed to herbicides and/or chemicals during active service in the Panama Canal Zone and during service with the Army National Guard in Fort Drum, New York. The Veteran's service personnel records reflect that he was stationed in the Canal Zone in Panama, with the Co A 4th Bn 10th Inf, Fort Davis, from March 26, 1967, to December 7, 1968. Special orders indicate that the Veteran, assigned to the HHC 4th Bn 10th Inf, was temporarily assigned to duty at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, on February 2, 1968; and was temporarily assigned to support the Jungle Operations Course at Fort Sherman, Canal Zone, from April 6, 1968, to May 15, 1968, with Co C 4th Bn 10th Inf. The Veteran submitted a certificate of completion of training given at the 1031st USAR School in West Hartford, Connecticut, dated in May 1979. A retirement points capture document in his service personnel records indicates that the Veteran had a period of ACDUTRA, noted above, dated from May 26, 1979, to June 9, 1979, in the Army National Guard in Connecticut. To date, the AOJ, over the course of the appeal, obtained the Veteran's service treatment and personnel records from his period of active service dated from January 1967 to December 1968, and there is no indication that there are outstanding service records related to that period of service. The AOJ has also obtained service treatment and personnel records from the Veteran's Army National Guard service in Connecticut, including his separation orders, his service separation document, his personnel qualification record, and a retirement credits capture document, as well as his September 1978 National Guard service entrance medical examination and history reports. The records gathered, despite the AOJ's requests to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), the Adjutant Generals in Mississippi and Connecticut, the Health Services, Medical Records Release, in Mississippi, and the Joint Force Headquarters, in Mississippi, are silent for evidence that the Veteran was assigned to any type of service in Fort Drum, New York, in 1979. The Board, in its April 2009 remand, directed the AOJ to seek outstanding records using alternative sources, using the information of record and any additional information the Veteran may provide. On remand, the AOJ should thus forward a NA Form 13055 to the Veteran in order to obtain any information that would be helpful in obtaining any outstanding service treatment and/or personnel records from his Army National Guard service in Connecticut, and conduct another search for such records based upon the Veteran's response. All requests should specifically seek records related to the location at which the Veteran was assigned during his period of ACDUTRA dated from May 26, 1979, to June 9, 1979, in the Army National Guard in Connecticut. Despite the AOJ's inquires over the course of the appeal, there is no evidence that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in the Panama Canal Zone, and as discussed above, there is, as of yet, no evidence of any type of service in Fort Drum, New York, such that inquires as to any exposure in that location could be made. The Board, in its April 2009 remand, directed the AOJ to use official channels, such as the NPRC and the service department, to ascertain whether any unit to which the Veteran was assigned during his active service, including any ACDUTRA or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), was exposed to a herbicide agent, such as Agent Orange, and directed the AOJ to attempt to verify the Veteran's exposure to chemicals at Fort Drum, New York, during training in May 1979. The Veteran did not respond to the AOJ's March 2010 and May 2013 requests as to his alleged exposure and the AOJ, in Formal Findings dated in November 2013, March 2014, and April 2014, determined that sufficient information required to verify exposure to herbicides did not exist. On remand, the AOJ should provide the Veteran a final opportunity to describe his alleged exposure to herbicides and/or other chemicals during service, including in the Panama Canal Zone and at Fort Drum, New York. As noted above, the Veteran did not respond to the AOJ's March 2010 and May 2013 requests. The Veteran has submitted an April 2014 statement from a fellow service member reporting that on or about November 1, 1966, he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, specifically, Fort Davis and Fort Sherman. He reported that the Army tested herbicides, Agent Orange, and other chemicals there, and that he saw the use of Agent Orange, fire, and a bulldozer to clear foliage for a jump site and to manage the jungles, generally, at Fort Sherman. He asserted that the chemicals had to be strong, Agent Orange and other chemicals, in order to clear the foliage in Panama. Even if the Veteran does not respond to the AOJ's inquires as to the specifics of his in-service exposure to herbicides and/or other chemicals, the AOJ should request verification from the United States Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC), using the information already of record, as to whether any unit to which the Veteran was assigned in the Panama Canal Zone and at Fort Drum, New York, was exposed to herbicides and/or other chemicals during any type of active service, and if any Army National Guard members from Connecticut were sent to Fort Drum, New York, from May 26, 1979, to June 9, 1979. Whether or not, if as a result of this remand, the AOJ is able to place the Veteran at Fort Drum, New York, from May 26, 1979, to June 9, 1979, and confirm that he was exposed to herbicides and/or other chemicals there, and/or confirm that he was exposed to the same during active service in the Panama Canal Zone, additional development is required in order the adjudicate the service connection claims on appeal. In short, the Veteran's updated VA and private treatment records should be obtained and associated with the claims file and he should be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of the disabilities claimed, outside of any disabilities presumed related to exposure to herbicides. In this regard, the Board notes that the Veteran asserts that all of the disabilities on appeal are related to in-service exposure to tactical herbicides, Agent Orange, and/or other chemicals. He has also asserted that his claimed PTSD is related to training troops that were going to the Republic of Vietnam during his service in the Panama Canal Zone. He also asserts that he experienced the beginning of his skin disability during active service. On his January 1976 service entrance report of medical history, the Veteran reported that he wore glasses. His service treatment records dated in February 1967 indicate that he complained of swollen feet, and in October 1967, he complained of left wrist weakness. In February 1968, he complained of chest pain over the sternum, and in June 1968 he complained of an injury to the left ankle and also complained of arthritis in the knees and ankles. On his service separation medical examination in November 1968, he presented with circular old scars of the bilateral legs. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ A WINNER!!!!....HERBICIDE EXPOSURE IN PANAMA SERVICE CONNECTION GRANTED Citation Nr: 1544458 Decision Date: 10/19/15 Archive Date: 10/29/15 DOCKET NO. 10-29 096 ) DATE On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Cleveland, Ohio THE ISSUES 1. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure. 2. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 3. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 4. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 5. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 6. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 7. Entitlement to service connection for nephropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. 8. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral optic nerve damage and retinal folds in both eyes, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. REPRESENTATION Veteran represented by: Sean A. Ravin, Attorney WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL Veteran and Veterans Service Officer ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Journet Shaw, Associate Counsel INTRODUCTION The Veteran served on active duty from September 1966 to September 1968. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2008 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in San Diego, California. The case has since been returned to the RO in Cleveland, Ohio. The Veteran and a Veterans Service Officer testified before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at a March 2012 Travel Board hearing. A transcript of this hearing is of record. In February 2015, the Veteran was notified that the VLJ who held his March 2012 Board hearing was no longer employed by the Board. The Veteran did not respond to a request for another hearing. 38 C.F.R. § 20.717 (2014). In December 2012, the Board denied service connection for the issues on appeal. The Veteran appealed the Board's December 2012 decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In a March 2014 memorandum decision, the Court vacated the Board's December 2012 denial of service connection for all of the issues on appeal and remanded the case for readjudication consistent with the decision. In addition to the paper claims file, there are Virtual VA and Veterans Benefit Management System (VBMS) paperless claims files associated with the Veteran's appeal. A review of the Virtual VA and VBMS claims files do not reveal any additional evidence pertinent to the present appeal. The Board also notes that there appear to be additional issues not yet certified to the Board. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; entitlement to service connection for nephropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; and entitlement to service connection for bilateral optic nerve damage and retinal folds in both eyes, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving in the Panama Canal Zone. 2. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumptively related to his exposure to herbicides. 3. The Veteran was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities. 4. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is a complication of his diabetes mellitus, type II. 5. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is a complication of his diabetes mellitus, type II. 5. The Veteran was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. 6. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is a complication of his diabetes mellitus, type II. 7. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is a complication of his diabetes mellitus, type II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria to establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, have been met. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1101, 1110, 1112, 1113, 1116, 1131, 1137, 5103A, 5107 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.159, 3.303, 3.304, 3.307, 3.309 (2014). 2. The criteria to establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, have been met. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304, 3.310 (2014). 3. The criteria to establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, have been met. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304, 3.310 (2014). 4. The criteria to establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, have been met. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304, 3.310 (2014). 5. The criteria to establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, have been met. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304, 3.310 (2014). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) describes VA's duty to notify and assist claimants in substantiating a claim for VA benefits. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 5100, 5102, 5103, 5103A, 5107, 5126 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.156(a), 3.159, 3.326(a) (2014). Given the Board's favorable decision in granting service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, the Board finds that all notification and development actions needed to fairly adjudicate the appeal have been accomplished. Service Connection Granted This case a somewhat long and detailed procedural history, which the Board will not belabor. However, the Board apologizes for the delay here at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, which this Board Member finds was unfortunate, at best. In any event, based upon a careful review of all of the evidence of record, which is extensive, the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that this Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving in the Panama Canal Zone. Based on this Veteran's MOS, his credible lay testimony, and othe other evidence of record the Board concludes that this Veteran's duties regularly transporting supplies and troops into the jungle exposed him to herbicides. See Hudgens v. Gibson, 26 Vet. App. 558, 563 (2014) fn 5, ORDER Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Joint Motion Remand Decision FROM 2004 Citation Nr: 0913325 Decision Date: 04/09/09 Archive Date: 04/21/09 DOCKET NO. 03-20 523 ) DATE On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi THE ISSUES 1. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as a result of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a skin condition, as a result of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. 3. Entitlement to service connection for sarcoid arthritis (claimed as a disability of the bones and muscles), as a result of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Sean A. Ravin, Attorney at Law ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD C. Eckart, Counsel INTRODUCTION The Veteran served on active duty from January 1967 to December 1968. Available service personnel records further reflect that the Veteran had service in 1979, and the Veteran has averred he served in the Reserves. This service has not been verified, and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has indicated that he served no active duty for training (ACTDTRA). This appeal comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from a rating decision rendered in May 2002 by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Jackson, Mississippi. In August 2004, the Board remanded this matter for additional development. Thereafter, the case was returned to the Board for further consideration. In August 2007, the Board denied the claims. The Veteran appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), which in November 2008 granted a Joint Motion for Remand, and remanded it to the Board to address due process and evidentiary deficiencies. The Board in August 2004 and again in August 2007 also referred claims of service connection for extreme mental anguish, anxiety, and nightmares, shortness of breath, constant stinging in the chest, respiratory cancers, Hodgkin's disease, and high blood pressure to the RO for appropriate action. Such matters remain pending and are again referred to the RO for appropriate action. The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC. VA will notify the appellant if further action is required. REMAND As pointed out in the Joint Motion, further development is necessary to ensure compliance with the Board's August 2004 remand. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). Specifically, it was pointed out that the Board failed to comply with the previous remand by failing to conduct a thorough and exhaustive search for the Veteran's service records. The history as noted by the previous remand, included his allegations of being exposed to Agent Orange while in training at Fort Drum, NY in 1979. In support of this allegation, he has submitted a certificate of completion of 126 hours of training, dated in May 1979. He also alleged exposure to Agent Orange while stationed on active duty in Panama. Service treatment records reflect that the Veteran was stationed in the Canal Zone in 1967. The Veteran has submitted numerous articles from websites and other publications which present various theories to confirm the use or presence of Agent Orange and other chemicals in Panama. The Joint Motion pointed out that the Board's remand directives in regards to obtaining records through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and the service department were not fully followed. It was pointed out that in a March 2005 letter the Adjutant General's Office of the Department of the Army and Air Force informed the VA that it could not locate any records for the Veteran and advised the VA to contact the records from the Army/Air Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Citation Nr: 1236710 Decision Date: 10/23/12 Archive Date: 11/05/12 DOCKET NO. 05-33 561 ) DATE On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Waco, Texas THE ISSUES 1. Entitlement to service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. 2. Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. 3. Entitlement to service connection for impotence, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. 4. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and both lower extremities, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Sean Kendall, Attorney at Law ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD A. Barone, Counsel INTRODUCTION The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from June 1973 to June 1975. These matters are before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on remand from the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). They were originally before the Board on appeal from a September 2004 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Waco, Texas. In September 2010, the Board upheld the RO's September 2004 denial of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, impotence, and peripheral neuropathies. The Veteran appealed that decision to the Court. In May 2012, the Court issued an order that vacated the September 2010 Board decision and remanded the matters on appeal for readjudication consistent with the instructions outlined in an April 2012 Joint Motion for An Order Vacating and Remanding The Board Decision on Appeal (Joint Motion) by the parties. The Board's September 2010 decision also included the additional issues of (1) entitlement to service connection for depression and (2) whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as coronary artery disease (CAD). These two issues were remanded by the Board to the RO for additional development; they were not part of the appeal to the Court. The Board notes that the RO has not re-certified these two issues to the Board following the September 2010 remand. 38 C.F.R. § 19.35 (2011) specifically provides that certification is for administrative purposes and does not serve to either confer or deprive the Board of jurisdiction of an issue. It is the Board's responsibility to determine its own jurisdiction. 38 U.S.C.A. § 7104 (West 2002); 38 C.F.R. § 20.203 (2011). The Board has determined that it is not appropriate to at this time take jurisdiction over these issues which the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) has not re-certified to the Board. Although the AOJ has taken steps towards completing the development directed by the Board, the issues do not appear to be fully prepared for appellate review. The AOJ has not issued a new supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to readjudicate the remanded issues following the completion of additional development (the Board has reviewed both the physical claims file and the "Virtual VA" electronic claims file in this regard). The appeal is REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office. VA will notify the appellant if further action on his part is required. REMAND In a decision issued in September 2010, the Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, impotence, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and both lower extremities. In May 2012, the Court endorsed a Joint Motion that determined that the Board did not ensure that VA adequately assisted the Veteran in attempting to obtain evidence necessary to substantiate his claim, and that the Board did not provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases for denying the Veteran's claims. The Joint Motion explained that VA should attempt to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records (SPRs) and must take further steps to develop evidence of the Veteran's alleged exposure to Agent Orange. The Joint Motion found that because the Veteran has provided evidence of his service in Panama in the early 1970s, as well as "speculative" evidence of the use of Agent Orange in Panama in the early 1970s, "it is possible that obtaining [the Veteran's] SPRs would aid in supporting his claim." The Joint Motion instructs that "the Board should ensure that the Agency contacts the appropriate service department in an attempt to obtain [the Veteran's] SPRs." The Joint Motion also found that the Board did not discuss the VA Adjudication Procedures Manual (M21-1 or M21-1MR) provision pertaining to developing claims based on Agent Orange exposure, other than in Vietnam or certain parts of Korea. The Veteran's service connection claims addressed at this time all arise from his contention that he has type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides during service in Panama. Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1116; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e) if he is shown to have been exposed to herbicides/Agent Orange in service, his type II diabetes and prostate cancer may be presumed to be service connected. Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6), the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange in service applies only to Veterans who served in Vietnam. However, it has been acknowledged that the military used Agent Orange in locales other than Vietnam. As discussed by the Joint Motion, VA has developed specific evidentiary procedures to verify whether a Veteran was exposed to herbicides in locations other than Vietnam. M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section C, para. 10(0), provides that if a Veteran alleges Agent Orange exposure in locations other than Vietnam, certain parts of Korea, or Thailand, the RO should ask the Veteran for the approximate dates, location, and nature of the alleged exposure. If this information is not received from the Veteran within 30 days, the RO should refer the case to the Joint Services Records Research Center [JSRRC] coordinator to make a formal finding that sufficient information required to verify herbicide exposure does not exist. Id. If the RO does receive the information, it should furnish the Veteran's detailed description of exposure to Compensation Service and request a review of DoD's inventory of herbicide operations to determine whether herbicides were used as alleged. Id. The Joint Motion directed that the Board should ensure that the Veteran's claims are properly developed in accordance with those provisions of the VA Adjudication Procedures Manual pertinent to the case. It does not appear that the evidentiary development procedures required when there is an allegation of exposure to Agent Orange in a location such as Panama have been followed. The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has consistently held that evidentiary development procedures provided in the Adjudication Procedure Manual are binding. See Patton v. West, 12 Vet. App. 272, 282 (1999) (the Board failed to comply with the duty-to-assist requirement when it failed to remand the case for compliance with the evidentiary development called for by M21-1). As the allegation of herbicide exposure in Panama cannot be resolved based on the current record, further development of pertinent evidence is necessary. The Veteran's claims of service connection for impotence and for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and both lower extremities feature theories of entitlement that these disabilities are secondary to diabetes mellitus or possibly prostate cancer. The impotence and peripheral neuropathy claims are therefore inextricably intertwined with the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer (the secondary service connection aspect of the claims cannot be properly addressed until the matters of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are resolved). Accordingly, consideration of the claims of service connection for impotence and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and both lower extremities must be deferred until the matters of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are decided. See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180, 183 (1991) (where a claim is inextricably intertwined with another claim, the claims must be adjudicated together). Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the following action: 1. The RO should obtain for the record copies of the Veteran's complete service personnel records. If they cannot be located, the RO should ask the Veteran to provide copies of all personnel records he has in his possession. 2. The RO should ask the Veteran for the approximate dates, location, and nature of his alleged exposure to Agent Orange or other pertinent herbicides in Panama. After he responds, the RO shall determine whether the information he supplied is sufficient to adjudicate the claim (i.e. seek verification of the alleged exposure). If so, the RO should request from the C&P Service a review of the inventory of herbicide operations maintained by the Department of Defense (DOD) to determine whether herbicides were used or tested as alleged by the Veteran. If the exposure is not verified by the request to C&P, verification should be sought from JSRRC. The RO should forward a list of the Veteran's service dates and duty locations as well his contentions regarding the nature of his exposure to herbicides in service to JSRRC and request verification of his exposure to herbicides. The results of this development should be outlined in a memorandum for the record. If the information is insufficient, or if the Veteran does not timely respond regarding his alleged exposure, the RO forward the case to a JSRRC coordinator for a formal finding that the information provided is insufficient to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service. 3. The RO should then readjudicate the Veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer (to specifically encompass the herbicide exposure the Veteran has alleged). The adjudication process must include a specific finding of whether or not the Veteran's allegations of herbicide exposure are verified. If service connection for type II diabetes or for prostate cancer is granted, the RO should arrange for any further development indicated (e.g., a nexus opinion) as to the secondary service connection theories of entitlement. The RO should then also readjudicate the matters of service connection for impotence and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and both lower extremities, to encompass as secondary to diabetes or prostate cancer. If any claim remains denied, the RO should issue an appropriate SSOC and afford the Veteran and his attorney the opportunity to respond. The case should then be returned to the Board, if in order, for further review. The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on the matters the Board has remanded. Kutscherousky v. West, 12 Vet. App. 369 (1999). These claims must be afforded expeditious treatment. The law requires that all claims that are remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action must be handled in an expeditious manner. See 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 5109B, 7112 (West Supp. 2011). _________________________________________________ George R. Senyk Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7252 (West 2002), only a decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals is appealable to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This remand is in the nature of a preliminary order and does not constitute a decision of the Board on the merits of your appeal. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1100(b) (2011).
  5. Panama 2,4D, 2,4,5-T, Silvex, Paraquat, Diaquat, Pesticides Toxins Research The Museum of Natural History in Washington D. C. wrote about Fort Sherman “Agent Orange was first used here, at Fort Sherman.” Smithsonian also taught a class through STRI Office of Education, Marine Environmental Program bridging STRI’s Marine Education Program Activities with Panamanian Curricula: A Synergistic Approach, called “Pesticides In Panama: How Serious Are They?” In this curriculum, they talk about Agent Orange used off the coast of Panama. They also state that Panama imports 700 million tons of pesticides per year. [my emphasis] As seen on the U.S. Exports List, 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T (Agent Orange) was shipped to Panama and used in Panama for over 20 years. And as seen on these shipping records from November 1973, this 5120620, 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T was the exact same mixture used in Vietnam, as the State Department verified to Congress in the 1973 Hearing. This was NOT a different commercial mixture as Alvin Young has claimed in the past. As seen on the various reports quoted in this book, many of the pesticides that are now known to cause great harm to the environment and humans were used routinely for decades in the Panama Canal Zone: chlordane, silvex, paraquat, diquat, gramaxone, copper sulphate, endothall, DDT, BHC, trichlorobenzene, sodium arsenite, pentachlorophenol, sodium flurosilicate, copper ammonium fluoride, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, PCBs, arsenics, lead, mercury, and many others. As seen on the Termite report by the USDA, many of these were routinely used in Panama Canal Zone. “Table 2 titled Schedule B Commodity by Country Domestic/Merchandise (http:// catalog.hathitrust.org/ Record/ 000497548) clearly shows the transport and exportation of the herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T to Panama 1973-1977. The very fact that 2,4,5-T was used is sufficient grounds to conclude that TCDD was applied wherever 2,4,5-T was used as a vegetation control agent. The TCDD content of the 2,4,5-T varied over time, but regardless, it was present in this herbicide and introduced to the PCZ environment. Unfortunately for service personnel, there were no attempts, to my knowledge, to ascertain the TCDD content of 2,4,5-T used in the PCZ or, for that matter, in PCZ soils or any other environmental media. TCDD in soil can remain a toxic component of the environment for over 100 years (Paustenbach, et al., 1992).” For decades the government denied the existence of Agent Orange in Okinawa too. The U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency was the depository of all Pesticide Use Reports for the military. The U.S. Army Hygiene Agency was to monitor military bases for safety/ storage/ use twice per year per the CFR. They monitored for pesticides in the Panama Canal Zone, report dated December 1, 1976. They monitored for 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T, as well as Silvex, which also contained TCDD dioxin. In fact, 2,4-D, half of Agent Orange, had been used in Gatun Lake since 1948. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has been in the Canal Zone since Lake Gatun was created in 1924. Smithsonian had been on the island of Barro Colorado Island in the middle of Gatun Lake studying the flora. FM 3-3, Agent Orange was commercially available, and in the Congressional Hearing at Reference 4 that SIC 5120620 was the same item shipped to defoliate in Vietnam. And this SIC 5120620 item, 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T was shipped to Panama for over 20 years. When Silent Spring came out and President Kennedy appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee to study the way pesticides were being used around the nation and by the Federal Government. In 1963, they damn well knew that the Secret tests were happening where military and their families were stationed in Panama, and had been going on since 1943. How can they not know we as a group of people who were exposed exist for their “group study” of people with long-term exposure issues? Yet still all of these Panama Veterans are forgotten. When the U.S. left Panama in 1999, the U.S. military base contamination and clean-up in Panama began on San Jose If you’ve been diagnosed with any AO presumptive disease please file your claim and join the Panama Veterans Groups on Facebook. The HERBICIDE exposed Panama veterans are passengers on VA’s Agent Orange Cruise Ship along with veterans that served at Fort McClellan. Keep fighting to service connect your presumptive disease until last breath. Please check out the PCZVA website and buy the “Travels of Orange” book from Amazon. Mission Statement The Panama Canal Zone Veterans Association (PCZVA) was formed to advocate on behalf of veterans, as well as their dependents, who served in the Panama Canal Zone. It is our belief that there is now sufficient evidence to prove in individual cases that veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone were exposed to the dioxin TCDD found in Agent Orange. Veterans of the Vietnam era who were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and have one of the presumptive diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure are entitled to presumptive service connection. If a presumptive disease is diagnosed, the veteran is entitled to disability compensation based on the presumptive disease. In the case of Agent Orange, Vietnam era veterans are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange based on where they served or their specific occupational duties. The presumption acts to lessen the evidentiary burden on a veteran filing a claim for compensation. In other words, the veteran does not need to provide evidence of specific exposure to Agent Orange if the VA has already accepted that the veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. Unfortunately, the VA has not accepted the shipment, storage, or use of Agent Orange in Panama for all Panama Veterans. We hope that by establishing PCZVA, we will be able to end this travesty and convince the Department of Veterans Affairs to add the Panama Canal Zone to the list of locations where the dioxin TCDD was stored and sprayed. Donna Tornoe has brought forth her passion and her research in her book The Travels of Orange, proving that Agent Orange was, indeed in Panama, and shipped there for over 20 years. Sean Ravin, an attorney accredited by VA to represent veterans, has litigated successfully on behalf of veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone. Together, we share a common belief that veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone are entitled to due process of law and compensation for diseases due to Agent Orange exposure. If you served in the Panama Canal Zone and believe that you have been diagnosed with a disease or disorder that is due to exposure to Agent Orange, please call Donna at 202-997-7085.
  6. Berta Stated: Question, the pdf Jumpmaster, with the USAF archival BS in it...... is that at CCK's web site? (Yes, the uploads had links to CCK News Articles.) EVERY vet here should be concerned about this. (Ms. Berta, I agree there’s tons of “Horse, Cow and Pig Manure Decisions” spewed out of ROs nationwide.) Yeah I know, it is AO, Thailand, limited interest unless you are an AO Thailand vet but my point is, how careless is the JSRRC as well?????? (I believe JSRRC research is deceptive, the agency is not careless, and colludes with VA retaliatory decisions related to Vets herbicide exposure) A few times over the last 2 decades vets here were told by VA ,that JSRRC could not verify their stressor... If they were a USAF vet ,they might have gotten the same archivist who did the BS Memo linked above. (I agree) I told them in some cases to contact JSRRC themselves, and oddly enough some did get a verification of their stressor. (Berta that option does not work anymore see my JSRRC reply PDF dated 7/25/2013) Yes policy changes which does not help Vets prove their stresso/herbicide exposure) I had assumed then that the VA did not even attempt to run the stressor through JSRRC, and just lied and said they did..... because VA does lie... (Berta, you’ve hit the nail on head and all members of Hadit know that VA entrenched corruption has existed many years, hopefully we live long enough to see the VA swamp drained within 10 years) the one who did the BS USAF MEMO, are determined to see veterans get denied. We cant seem to trust anyone sometimes...that is why we need to read and then re read this stuff many times......it isnt paranoia, it is due to collective knowledge of what the VA and even these archival people can and will do....., looking into unit histories and such to verify claims but really do not do a thorough job of it, to many claimant's detriment. Please read JSRRC PDF attached RO EVIDENCE BRIEF SNAPSHOT: Reports / IOM Studies regarding chemical exposure, submitted by Veteran/POA on 07/22/13 POA Statement, regarding chemical exposure at Fort McClellan, Alabama, received 08/28/13, along with reports and studies Negative reply from the VA Central Office, A/O MAILBOX regarding Alleged Herbicide Exposure at Ft. McClellan, received 03/13/15 DPRIS / JSRRC NEGATIVE RESPONSE (EXPOSURE TO HERBICIDES IN DMZ / KOREA) received 06/10/15 JSRRC Development letter to vet for Fort McClellan Alabama herbicide exposure, dated 01/11/16 Multiple documents received from Veteran on 01/29/16 POA statements received 08/31/15, 02/29/16; 06/02/16; 06/27/16; 08/26/16; 08/27/16, 08/31/16 SOC: Formal finding that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lacks the information the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) requires to verify herbicide exposure, dated 10/18/16. VA Form 9 completed 11/25/16 appealing issues DIVED into BVA backlog bucket. I’m going to celebrate a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year 2017, our new POTUS inauguration, Super Bowl LI, February 5, 2017, and BVA line number early spring or summer. Ms. Berta I thank you for your support on this site JSRRC Reply (Korea DMZ and FTMC) dated July 25, 2013.pdf
  7. Good Evening Ms. Berta and Hadit Veterans members: Sharing three PDFs uploads that I believe all VARO’s DO NOT WANT VETERANS to SEE. I hope the files encourage Veterans to never stop fighting to SC herbicide used outside Vietnam (Korea DMZ, Fort McClellan, Okinawa, Johnston Island, Thailand, other CONUS bases. Some herbicide exposure claims can be a quick and easy to win; but many will take several years to win. I’ve always believed VA is our worst enemy AFTER discharge, upon return to civilian life, working with physical injuries, and diseases associated to herbicides (Tordon 101, Rainbow Agents Orange, Blue, White, Purple, TCDD, PCBs). Whenever, the Veterans receives a presumptive diagnosis, please file your claim then wait for VA to deny it. If they deny, don’t quit, you must always fight tougher until you win. I have a gut feeling more bias VA auto-fill-memos are afloat inside OUR alleged “Veteran Friendly ROs” still waiting exposure. You know that kind where raters click on the deny (Korea DMZ, Okinawa, Fort McClellan, Thailand) button, then paste in VA’s deceptive verbiage, bias interpretations, and veiled written decisions to deny, while ignoring VA’s own scientific environmental exposure data, alluding to their VA requested JSRRC, and DOD records; which show Agent Orange was never stored, or used at your base. Review the highlights extracted from this uncovered memo upload: The same memorandum specifically acknowledges that “the use of commercial herbicides is documented”. VA has created an illusory distinction between the use of “tactical herbicides” for which compensation benefits are payable and “commercial herbicides” for which benefits may not be payable. The reality is no matter what you call the herbicides used in Thailand, they all contained the same harmful chemicals. Therefore, veterans should be granted the same presumption of exposure as Vietnam veterans. If a veteran states, “I was exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand,” VA as part of its Duty to Assist will ask the Air Force or the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) if Agent Orange was used in Thailand. The Air Force or JSRRC will send back the August 11, 2015 memorandum and then VA will deny the claim. What VA is not asking the Air Force is whether other types of herbicides were used in Thailand. If the VA asked that question, the answer would have to be yes, herbicides were used as the August 11, 2105 memorandum states. VA must stop denying claims because veterans state they were exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand and grant them based upon the exposure to herbicides. PDF files: 1. CCK Uncovers Memo, 2. Submit A Claim for Illness Due to Agent Orange Exposure, 3. U.S. COVA Found--Facility Wide Use of Herbicides At Fort McClellan (A(Parkinson CUE Claim Win) this non precedent encourages Veterans to never stop fighting! Jumpmaster Tuesday November 15, 2016 CCK UNCOVERS VA MEMO.pdf Is it too Late to Submit a Claim for Illness Due to Agent Orange Exposure.pdf U.S. COVA Finds--Facility Wide Use of Herbicides At Fort McClellan, AL (Parkinson CUE Win).pdf
  8. Review the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides—Tenth Biennial Update – The Agent Orange Act of 1991, extended by Public Law 107-103, direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to contract with the NAS to conduct a comprehensive review of scientific and medical literature on health effects from exposure to Agent Orange, and to conduct biennial updates. The statute directs each new NAS committee to determine, to the extent that scientific data permit, meaningful determinations: See more at: http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/Activities/Veterans/HealthEffectsVietnamVeteransHerbicides.aspx Download the PDFs: It may help veterans diagnosed with presumptive Bladder Cancer, Hyperthyroidism and Parkinson Disease or Parkinsonism (Parkinson-like-Symptoms) denied SC years earlier for association with Agent Orange. Especially, for numerous veterans that served Outside of Vietnam and denied disability based on inadequate herbicide associated Agent Orange direct exposure evidence. Don’t forget that the VA and DOD withholds the essential medical or scientific facts, from veterans that proves your Outside of Vietnam herbicide exposure. It’s up to everyone to dig up the hidden exposure facts that prove your own herbicide exposure during service. Keep fighting for SC and never, ever, give up, and Whenever, the VA denies your claim. Relax, Breathe, then lock and load, aim accurately at your herbicide exposure target, breathe again, and rapid fire away down the VA RANGE --with armor-piercing VA NOD and Appeals evidence that results in service connection. http://www.nap.edu/download.php?record_id=21845# Additional major findings in the 1,000-plus page report, released March 10, 2016, included Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s-like symptoms and spina bifida. IOM announced bladder cancer and hypothyroidism were upgraded to “limited or suggestive evidence” of a link between the diseases and exposure to Agent Orange. This was a change from the Update 2012 category of “inadequate or insufficient.” IOM also added “Parkinsonism” and “Parkinson’s-like symptoms” to the list for “limited or suggestive evidence” of an association. In the report, the IOM Committee noted that, “…there is no rational basis for an exclusion of those with Parkinson-like symptoms from the service-related category denoted as Parkinson disease. To exclude a claim for a condition with Parkinson-like symptoms, the onus should be on VA on a case-by-case basis to definitively establish the role of a recognized etiologic factor other than the herbicides sprayed in Vietnam.” Parkinson’s disease was added to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ presumptive service connection list on August 31, 2010. In a rare move, the IOM downgraded spina bifida to “inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine an association.” The birth defect has been in the “limited or suggestive” category of association for children of all Vietnam Veterans since Update 1996.
  9. Hello TxVet43 The files are PDF uploaded for Information that hopefully will aid Korea DMZ Vets who filed claims, received a denial and did not appeal the DOD and VA have changed the dates that AO was used so it like watching a bouncing ball. The Military Policeman served at the DMZ October 1965 until April 1966 according to the BVA file. The date/time period in my opinion creates curiosity or doubt that AO was used earlier than DOD and VA presumptive dates setup for Korea DMZ veterans exposure service as April 1969 to August 1971. It's fascinating how one case of AO exposure is granted earlier that VA presumptive dates and the second exposure claim was granted after the presumptive exposure period. I believe that NO DMZ VET who served in that area that suffer with a presumptive disease caused by Dioxin and toxic contamination must never give up! .....Don't wave your surrender flag or toss in the "I QUIT TOWEL" for your exposure claim, keep digging for the lay evidence (buddy statements), scientific articles, medical opinions, and every piece of evidence that would help Korea DMZ veterans win exposure claims at BVA or CAVC. I believe the claims are decided on a case by case basis depending on the strength of the veterans evidence and from what I've seen over the years RO always kick the claim down the road to BVA who may grant or remand it back to RO. for more development. Sorry about the late reply I've been offline taking care of health matters. Thanks to T-Bird and Ms. Berta for assisting with the links. TxVet43 try Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the files. VFW Magizine Article (Ron Reigstad) DMZ Agent Orange Claim&_33;.pdf Agent Orange Korea DMZ 1965-1966, 2nd MP Company, http_www.va.gov_vetapp14_Files2_1415571.pdf
  10. Bronco, I agree strongly with all repliers....frustration is mental torture you've been through other battles and won in years past. Hey buddy you're at a point where you need to take a few days of tactical R&R go through the RD with a fine tooth comb. You've inspired a lot of people at this site over the years...I am one who can say that even where all the evidence is there to prove your claim most raters will never connect the dots. It happened to me and when I reached my final point of frustration and clearly saw all pieces of my evidence puzzle were in place I hire my attorney and stepped back to take care of my health and that was one of the smartest decision I made during my VA war. Never give up until the last breath leaves your nostrils. We are here to encourage each other no matter how long the battle takes. God bless you and your family. Jumpmaster.
  11. DFAS AUDIT POST UPDATED On July 31, 2015 retiree account statement message section online states base on information received from the VA your CRDP amount is XXXXX dollars. The nice DFAS customer friendly lady advised there's no completion date, your RD award letter is in file but nothing has been done, because it had not been entered by VA folks and gave me the call Peggy at 1-800-827-1000 when I started to laugh, she cracked up in laughter and said it takes 30-60 days to complete after VA INITIATES the audit. but I don't see any date from VA.. I called Peggy and advised DFAS stated nothing should have been withheld for verified 20 yrs or more service. Peggy said duhhhhh I don't know sir but I'll send a message they have 10 days to reply. Being persistent and turning up the heat on ineffectiveness may result in someone at VA to moving forward on important matters such as payout of your CRDP retro. The DFAS audit completed August 13, 2015 and direct deposit of withheld retro hit my account on August 25, 205. If there are other retirees still in waiting more than 30-60 days try calling DFAS at 1-800-321-1080 to verify audit status. You can also fax your rating decision to kick start action at DFAS but remember the initiator that starts the Audit remain at the VARO. Wouldn't it be nice if the major VSO's inside the RO could start a project that eliminated the military retiree audit process. I think the VA should pay out verified retiree retro in one lump sum after you win your claim. A check box for raters should work well within the VA's new technology improvements. I'm shocked that Houston RO acted faster than expected so I'm giving them a positive shout out and thank them for their service delivery of benefits for my family. God bless everyone at Hadit retirees become proactive and unclog your retro withheld for CRDP audit. JMHO.
  12. Congratulations on the add of dependents Julie1975.
  13. Pete 53: Thanks for replying....you can believe I never give up...just like the Engerizer Bunny I'll fight VA Fraud until my last breath. Pr...How you doing Airborne!....You guys taught me a few years back a CUE cannot be filed until the decision is final. Asking them to CUE themselves was my first thought/plan of attack. I needed input from my Hadit warrior family for encouragement to make sure this War Hound was on the right scent, it doesn't pay to bark up the wrong tree. Ms. Berta: Thanks for your non-binding opinion. It's a damn shame that Veterans are cheated after winning our service connection war. After read about the Little Rock VA Fraud scandal back in March 2015 my alert antenna warmed up a bit. Allegations surfaced that Little Rock was manipulating claims. Two years ago, VA OIG found numerous claims that were misplaced. During the recent surprise investigation, inspectors found VA employees issued fraudulent dates on the records by giving the claims records a filing date of the day they were discovered rather than the date filed. The effect of this fraud, if unchecked, would result in veterans being cheated out of thousands of dollars in back pay by providing an erroneous date on the records a few of the claim involved cheating veteran for payment for dependent benefits. I posted Houston VAMC Assistant Chief Of Prosthetics decision so all Hadit member, guests and anonymous operators can get a clear eagle eyed view of the internal corruption, actions and vindictive attitudes inside of their local VAMCs Prosthetic Department. I may sound like TRUMP when I say the denial was just a plain dumb thing to do, then lie about the medical evidence, Houston RO rating, all copies attached to the application replicate my P&T rating in VBMS and why would they need a picture of the braces, when I was active duty all government issued equipment came with a model or nomenclature number so if I have VA prosthetic device they already know the manufacturer and construction of said device. No problem I snap a picture and send it out next week...I want to see if they process my NOD in under 5 days. This just go to prove VA itself is the cause of the backlog not the Veteran who applies for benefits. Fraud and corruption inside local ROs and VAMCs comes in more flavors than Baskin-Robbins...everyone should carefully read all positive or negative decisions. Hadit never, ever, ever, trust the VA to not cheat you outta benefits after you've won a small portion of your VA claims war. It's clear they're incapable of checking the computer to see the disability rating but I'm happy as hell they put it in writing. Jumpmaster Brief: VA SME are not true experts on chemical exposure claims, VA caught defrauding 300 veterans with brain injuries, Little Rock cheats 43 vets, now that just a few that someone tripped over and decided to report it in the media. What about the mass denials by fraud to reduce the claim backlog? We may never know how many veterans just decided not to fight their clothing allowance denial and gave up ...well that Ain't Me trooper-- I'm ready for Prosthetic warfare! Jumpmaster
  14. Did Your VAMC Commit (CUEs) Mass Denying Your FY 15 Clothing Allowance? Good Afternoon Hadit Warriors! I t never ceases to amaze me how many times can the VARO, VAMC and their interconnected business division “Screw The Veteran 24/7/365” while decision makers inside VA’s World of Oz skip along that yellow brick road, cheerfully clicking heels , singing out “deny, delay, deny again, let’s never stop denying until they’re all dead.” Yes check out this PDF highlighted mass denial for clothing allowance decision that sped out of Houston faster than a speeding bullet. Many years will pass before Veterans can truly trust that VA adheres its own core mission and values of “caring for those “who shall have borne the battle and for their families and survivors.” What values you may ask. Well think about that slogan (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence) Oh Hell yes--those words smells like horse manure for a several of hundreds veterans and guess what? I dropped my (We Care or I Care Pin) into a big fresh pile outside the barn today. I’m sharing Houston VAMC (CUE) FY 15 clothing allowance evidence for anyone still waiting for their decision to arrive. Don’t let that “Chicken Shit” wimpy denial dismay your allowance claim, if you’re able to feel the “fire burning hot in your belly” you must rise up, never retreat, reload your appeals weapon and attack the VA illegal decision. I’ve attached that CUE decision PDF file by my opinion for all to review how theVAMC Prosthetic Chiefs are focused intensely on express reduction of clothing allowance backlogs, if such a thing does exist and evade paying your hard earned clothing allowance. As veterans we’re vested with the highest integrity, never file bogus clothing allowance claims until you’re service connected for the injuries that TRICARE or VA doctors have diagnosed and prescribed the permanent use and wear of rigid metal prosthetics. Summary: Suffered through in service injuries for years, had post service bilateral low and upper extremity injury surgeries and chronic lumbar disc/nerve compression pain management minus the recommended hip and spine surgery in the 90’s all rated 0%. Fast forwarding to 2010 completed local VAMC C&Ps, MRI, X-rays etc. and the medical record show VAMC doctor issued back/bilateral knee braces used in the C-file, VAMC records and the blue button for MyHealtheVet. On July 21, 2015, I submitted my first VAF 10-8678 application with attached P&T rating; C&P doctor IMO notes, PCP IMO notes, and VAMC diagnosis/notes for prosthetics wear to Houston RO and DeBakey VAMC using DHL courier delivery with signature/ online verification. 2. Review the VAMC July 20, 2015, denial signed by the Assistant Chief of Prosthetics is what I feel is evidence of VAMC mass denial decision against veterans that was created in advance of the annual receipt of thousands of applications from veterans filing a doctor prescribed prosthetics device claim. 3. Review the BS reason for denial…No picture of braces and no documentation from provider. Zippity Do-Da –Day-- Sherlock the prosthetic medical evidence has been in VA’s records since 2011 how about reading the evidence submitted and conducting accurate reviews of the RO’s VBMS database. The VAMC letter is dated July 20, 2015 before my application arrived so that makes it easy to program copy and paste incoming names into the field then mail hundreds of denials per second at “Warp Speed” VA’s return envelope is dated July 28, 2015. It sure as hell would be nicer for veterans if our initial claims could be accurately developed, C&P scheduled, results returned and examined , rated and receive our retroactive deposits within five days after receipt of the claim adjudication, versus watching our fellow veterans die waiting 5 to 45 years for earned benefits. Ok I’ll calm down just a bit….at least VAMC did say I could appeal illegal decisions but Why should any of us have to jump through more hoops, and climb back onto the Hamster Wheel.” Mr. Assistant Chief of Prosthetics, I your staff had only taken a few minutes after log in of the application, skimmed through a few pages, clicked the mouse button and approved payment this erred denial would not appear on the Hadit site and I welcome the warriors to chime in does the dreaded "CUE Clothing Allowance Monster" exist. JUMPMASTER BRIEF: No matter how well YOU the Veteran prepares his/her documents when filing your VA claims, appeals, or even that simple clothing allowance claim you must recognize there’s not an iron clad guarantee the processor or reviewer can read and/or comprehend your submitted claim for entitlement evidence. Simple math for today is the Veteran has been assigned the P&T rating and all records show he has worn VA approved rigid metal prosthetics that rip, tear and damages his clothing since 2011, there's no need to search farther as the smoke screen clears, once again the VAMC resorts to lying about evidence to make sure the prosthetic coffers overflow and Vets receive zero to pay for clothing damages. Jumpmaster Hadit Upload FY 15 Clothing Allowance Denied Letter.pdf
  15. Berta thank you for sharing this information once again. It's such knowledge at this that opens the door for me to hop into my phase 2 appeals assault. I'm about to post a strange topic in a few minutes....have you ever heard of Clothing Allowance CUE is there such a thing. Jumpmaster
  16. Congratulations thank you for sharing your strategy.
  17. I apologize for duplication of any earlier postings-- but I believe many Viet Nam era veterans may miss Agent Orange exposure posts for areas they've served in without knowing that AO was used. Many died waiting, leaving behind survivors suffering from their loss to reconsider if they should pursue the fight to obtain VA accrued benefits when their Veteran died from one of the presumptive diseases without SC toxic Agent Orange herbicide exposure. Ailing U.S. veteran wins payout over Agent Orange exposure in Okinawa The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has granted compensation to another former service member for exposure to Agent Orange while stationed on Okinawa during the Vietnam War era. Dated October 2013, the award was made to a retired Marine Corps driver suffering from prostate cancer that, the presiding judge ruled, had been triggered by his transportation and usage of the toxic defoliant on the island between 1967 and 1968. The decision to grant the claim comes in spite of repeated Pentagon denials that Agent Orange was ever present in Okinawa. According to the ruling of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), the unnamed marine alleges he came into contact with Agent Orange while transporting it in barrels and rubber bladders between U.S. military ports at Naha and White Beach — a navy installation on the island’s east coast — and a warehouse on Kadena Air Base The former marine was able to identify the barrels he helped to transport as the infamous Vietnam War defoliant due to the tell-tale orange stripes painted around their middles. The retired service member had first applied for compensation in 2004 but his claim was initially rejected. Following appeals by the veteran, Judge Mary Ellen Larkin ruled in his favor last October, stating, “While neither the service department nor DOD confirms the presence of Agent Orange on Okinawa during 1967 and 1968, the veteran offers a highly credible, consistent account that he was directly exposed thereto during those years while performing his assigned military duties.” According to U.S. government records and interviews conducted by The Japan Times, more than 250 former service members claim to have been sickened by exposure to Agent Orange on Okinawa, but only a handful have ever been given help by their government. A 1971 U.S. Army report on Agent Orange — revealed by The Japan Times last year (‘71 Pentagon paper says Agent Orange was stored on Kadena Air Base,” Jan. 12, 2013) — cited a herbicide stockpile at Kadena, and it has been reported that the C-123 airplanes that sprayed defoliants over Vietnam were sent to the base for maintenance. Keep in mind the VA is not your (BFF) all of us have lost family members and friends or know others affected by the extended delay of benefits for SC chemical exposure claims. Please review full story at this link. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2014/03/17/issues/ailing-u-s-veteran-wins-payout-over-agent-orange-exposure-in-okinawa/#.VcFy9pDbLIV Jumpmaster
  18. KanasaNavy, You're welcome I'm glad to provided the contact/fax numbers for everyone waiting for the DFAS Audit end process. Jumpmaster.
  19. CRDP is not automatic as all of us are expected to believe. VA must initiate action for retiree audit and there is no iron clad 60 days guarantee that DFAS military retiree pay division will process it or work the Veteran audit faster than snail marching down the trail, even if you fax a copy of your rating decision to DFAS. Well, maybe some of us are lucky if the fax lands in the lap of a proactive veteran friendly person who can manipulate the knobs from the inside other than that its a skeet shoot for clay pigeons. Address: Defense Financing And Accounting Service (DFAS ) Please use this information if you want to send them a fax. U..S. Military Retirement Pay P.O. Box 7130 London, KY 40742-7130 Commercial Phone: (216) 522-5955 Toll Free: 1-800-321-1080 Toll Free Fax: 1-800-469-6559 My July 31, 2015 retiree account statement message section online states base on information received from the VA your CRDP amount is XXXXX dollars. DFAS and talked with a customer friendly lady who advised there's no completion date, RD award letter in file nothing has been done, she could not tell me the received date because it had not been entered by VA folks and gave me the call Peggy at 1-800-827-1000 when I started to laugh, she cracked up in laughter and said it takes 30-60 to complete after VA INITIATES audit. but I don't see a date from them. I called Peggy and he pointed his long extended VA fingers back at DFAS RETIREE PAY SAYING...we normally finish our audit within 60 days after DFAS sends back our audit request. Hold on wait a minute can it really be true Hadit. Why yes it's true the VA is known for blowing smoke signals that speaks with forked tongue. I said sir, DFAS said VA should not have withheld any monies so why can't they expedite audit approval and send DFAS retiree pay whatever is needed to complete the audit on retired veterans having a minimum 20 or more years active service. Peggy then said Duhhh--- I don't know Sir, I've sent that note out for you today and they have 10 business days to reply to you by email. If you don't need anything else Sir you have a good day....Click....... Okay I'm sure there are smarter retirees on the board than I am. How can we band together and solve the mysterious DFAS AUDIT WITHHOLDING PROCESS WHEN THE RECORDS CLEARLY SHOW THE VETERAN IS RETIRED WITH MORE THAN 20 PLUS YEARS ACTIVE SERVICE. There has to be a better way to stop VA from lying on DFAS retiree payment staff after they enter CRDP into your end of month pay statement. Yeah!--and that's my opinion. All retiree are welcome to chime in with a simple non-complex solution that will once and for all end the retiree audit process. Hell think about this when it came time to redirect funds from the new Choice Card it happened quicker than making a night jump during daylight hours...just close your eyes and jump through the open door, count to four and. open them when you feel the opening shock of your chute. Jumpmaster
  20. Fat I think many of us believe actually its better to file NOD or if the request for reconsideration is not complete with in 1 year The NOD saves the effective date of the claim . As evidenced by RO delayed 7 months then claimed non receipt of your Recon Request. I recall somewhere reading about Recon that Attorney Chris Attig said it was ineffective at the RO level so if I misunderstood that others are welcomed to chime in an correct my input. Buck asked? If you submit on Ebenefits can you prove VA got it without the return Green Card? Buck I've not submitted a NOD using Ebenefits . However, I did upload other document requested for my unfinished claims (affidavits, VA forms request forms 4138, 686c, 674s etc) after each upload I received a green light confirmation alert that my upload was successful and the prompt please print the upload receipt. IYou know how easy it is for VA or anyone to erase, manipulate, and vandalize electronic data. So I've printed each upload receipt and placed it into my records for 'CYA' insurance protection just in case that I must attach it to any future NOD and call VA out for lying about non-receipt of info they asked for. I can see everything in my uploaded documents and unsolicited items folders. I hope my experience tip is helpful because I'm just another trainee going through E-benefit boot camp. Jumpmaster
  21. gs106 I think rootbeer22 has explained the VA battlefield or mad house process for you better than any VSO ever could or would even have time to do after submitting your claim. He offered his personal,experiences and insight about his time of survival in the Claim Trenches including his up and down times before the final decision and the BBE arrived. You did not let us know if the 70% decision effective date goes back 2, 3 or 5 years, and if it does so that could means two signatures are needed for your two remaining disabilities. Factor in the rush to clear the backlog you may see Notification Sent in a few more weeks. I believe in being proactive throughout the entire process because it pays off in the long run...just like Talon II FE, said don't accept the fatalistic approach. We all can affect change. I think you've already reached that point. Your last C&P on July 8th for the shoulder and Gerd may have slowed things down some but your hamster wheel should start spinning again mid-August. JHMO. My last C&P /opinion was May 15, 2015. I received my VA phone alert June 16th and the first partial retro-deposit July 8, 2015 ahead of the BBE. Still waiting for my DFAS finish, and I want to share a note for (military y retirees) until last night in the message section of my retiree account statement (RAS ) online it reads based o information received from the VA your CRDP is $XXXXXX, so it may be that DFAS did their job but someone inside the local are slow releasing withheld CRDP and retro-bennies. gs106 I'm also new to Hadit but I want you to know the seasoned expert veterans here have battled the VA for years. They're standing behind you for back-up support and offer life experience tips, that will guide you across the VA minefields, and encourage you to stay proactive and not drown in the backlog. Keep your chin up, stay health and share your next success and God bless you. Jumpmaster
  22. Congratulations! I'm sure others more knowledgeable Chap 35 experts will chime in soon. When I received my P&T BBE approx. 3 weeks ago the RO hinted my school age child might be entitled to additional benefits based on continuous school attendance at an approved institution from the effective date of my award and forward. So input from those who have experienced the process will benefit you and I as well. God bless you and thank you for your service and sharing your success. Jumpmaster
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