rthomass

Hey Guy I read your post and I would like to help but of course that depends on where you live; just give me the city and I will get back to you. Randall D. Thomas Sr. rthomass@insightbb.com

BUMP BUMP

Bump, Bump

I am presently 40 % diabled for hiatal hernia and spinal stenosis. On June 2003 the VA diagnosed that I had Non-hodgkins Lymphoma. I received treatmant for over two years by way of Chemotherapy. I found out latter that I was entitled to submit a claim for hebicide exposure (AO); Oncologist states the NHL was more likely than not to be the cause by Agent Orange. as a side note I was not stationed in Vietnam but in Thailand on the Mekong river acrossfrom Laos. I did my research along with two lawyers to prove Direct Service Conection. Case has been before the CAVC once and is now there for the scond time. Despite the hampster action by the VA I would like to know how I was treated for Agent Orange Exposure; since I have yet to receive an award on my claim. don't have enough money to pay $500,000.00 Plus in case Va scewed. I would like for Berta and James Breckinridge to speak up on this post.

I am sorry fellow Vets but I for one am too proud to get in anyones' soup line. Just give me what I deserve.....no hand outs please.

I stand properly chastised and contrite. James appears a real gem. sorry for the trampling JAVG.

James I never intended to question you on your voracity. The BVA decision you cite was stationed at NKP from August 1969 to august 1970 the exact dates time I was there. I also refer to a Checo report 1973 that the VA now concedes AO was sprayed ()perimeter) at all Thailand bases. What ever happened to benefit of the doubt. Call me I sure would like to talk to an honest VARO rater. RAndall

James I sure wish you were the real McCoy. I have a claim pertaining to herbicides (agent Orange). Initial claim date January 10, 2005; initial discovery date of June 2003. Cancer ? YES' NHL. Has caused a multitude of medical problems. I have been to the BVA twice and now before the CAVC for the second time. I frankly feel the interpretation of Title 38 has on the whole been misinterpreted by the VA. Once a case goes into the system it stays in the system until the VET either dies or abandons the Claim. How is it that you can use your "real" full name and suffer no adverse action by your VARO or the VA? Almost forgot I was stationed In Nakhon Phanom Thailand from 1969 t0 1970. (probem?) Now I will stick my neck out and let the VA know who I am. R. Thomas NAME has been edited out by a moderator. ADDRESS has been edited out by a moderator e-mail rthomass@insightbb.com , CLAIM NUMBER has been edited out by a moderator. Now you know me......Like to hear from you.

One bump deserves another.

Allan this is rthomass. I have built many computers and repaired same. Of course I live in Louisville, Kentucky so it might be a problem depending on your location. I would be glad to look at and repair if I could. Randall

Lieberman & Mark has a tendency of letting a case go to the Court of Appeals, getting a remand back to the BVA, getting $5,000.00 from EAJA. Once they get this they send you a form putting you on the hook for 20% of your retro. Getting cooperation or any type of action from this firm at this point is iffy to say the least.

Berta, Karl Kazmierczak is a good lawyer but he has never had a case before the CAVC> Stay away from Lieberman and Mark...........

Berta looks a lot like divide and conquer to me. The AO spray that supposedly settled in a neat path on either side of the perimeter fence is a crock! If you have ever seen monsoon wind and/or rain you would realize that containing it to the perimeter is a joke. It contaimminated a great deal of Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Force Base since the base was hacked out of the jungle just across the Mekong River and Laos. I was stationed there from August 1969 to August 1970. My Air Force Specialty Code was 65190 Procurement and Contracting. In this job we were often all over the base and that included projects adjacent to the "perimeter". I think the whole damn base was contaiminated....there was very little vegetation inside the wire. VA is trying to minimize their liability...."Damage Control". First it was never there; then it was on the perimeter only....talk about deception; VA is a master at it. I have had a claim for AO exposure since January 2005. Within the last two months my claim was before the BVA for the second time and no mention of Fast letter 09-02 or the August 2009 Compensation and Pension Service Bulletin. Claim is now at the CAVC for the second time. Court was not happy with the BVA the last time so I hope they plant a big ole boot in their rear area.

Any Telephone number on the Arthritis Foundation in Albuquerque New Mexico? Operator does not show a listing. Thanks Randall

Michael I really need to talk to you.

Looking for Michael Lambright Las Cruces New Mexico. Have important AO information for you. Contact Randall @ rthomass@insightbb.com.

Hate to make that mistake; it was his wife that died. Thank you for allowing me to correct myself.

Just received an e-mail from Mr.Strickland. He states that Larry Scott's Mother is now very ill. This is very hard on Scott as you know his wife died recently. Let us all say a prayer in our heart for Larry and his Mother.

Wondering the very same thing. Hope all is well; it is a premier cite for veterans.

Just what?

You know Kurt i was wondering how much it would cost for a full newspaper page open letter in the Washington Post. The Agent Orange; Thailand problem could be set forth ins such a concise manner as to educate all citizens and upset to no end the President, Congress' and most of all the VBA. Kurt I am serious. I'll check on the cost today. With your knowledge we just might break something loose; especially it the media picked it up Nation wide. Regards Randall

Kurt, I pointed out to the BVA that I worked in Contracting and Purchasing. I was the Chief of Operations for the Procurement Office. Although my main job did not entail construction contracts I did participate in some inspections and one of those projects was on the perimeter of NKP....surprise....surprrise. Besides I bet if we got full declassification of the Checo report we would probably find out that soil sterilization took place as the Thailand Bases were built.

Hello all this is rthomass. I stated this thread based on information from my lawyer in Tempe Arizona. I have been in this fight since January 10, 2005. I am on my way back to the United States Court of appeals for Veterans Claims. In my claim I have Msgt Priessman's complete Checo report (most thankful to him) four buddy statements and a BVA favorable decision they granted to a fellow Vet that was stationed at Nakhon Phanom , Thailand from August 1969 to August 1970. I was stationed there at the exact same time. With all this proof I am losing all the hope I ever had. I am getting sicker; can't sleep; mental outlook deteriorating. Hell of a way to end life after serving my country for over twenty years! I ask for no help! I no longer believe there is any. The VA Benefits system and those in charge of my country are non caring....only concerned about the costs of claims,,,,truth ?

Pete I can't quite figure it out. It almost seems they are leaning toward Pesumption for AO.....Thought at first Priessman report went with the fast letter but not sure. lawyer gave me both documents at the same time.....any one out there what the memorandum for the record says?

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Veterans Benefits Administration Washington, D.C. 20420 May 6, 2009 Director (00/21) All VA Regional Offices and Centers Fast Letter 09-20 SUBJ: Developing for Evidence of Herbicide Exposure in Haas-Related Claims from Veterans with Thailand Service during the Vietnam Era Purpose The enclosed document will serve as a substitute for an individual response from the Agent Orange Mailbox (VAVBAWAS/CO/211/AGENTORANGE). When regional office personnel receive claims based on herbicide exposure from veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam era, they should place the enclosed document in the claims folder rather than sending an inquiry to the Agent Orange Mailbox. Background While the Haas case was pending, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims stayed the processing of certain disability claims based on herbicide exposure. The stay affected a large number of veteran claimants with service in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Thailand was a staging area for aircraft missions over Vietnam, and many veterans who assisted with these missions received the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for their support of the war effort. Disability claims from those veterans who received the VSM for Thailand service, but who did not set foot in the country of Vietnam, were placed under the Haas stay. With the lifting of the stay, these claims require development and adjudication. M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section C, Topic10, Block n, specifies that claims based on herbicide exposure outside Vietnam require sending an e-mail inquiry to the Agent Orange Mailbox for review of the Department of Defense (DoD) inventory listing the herbicide use, testing, and storage sites. The inquiry may lead to evidence supporting the claimed exposure. If the Agent Orange Mailbox inquiry cannot provide probative evidence, the next step is sending an inquiry to the Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). To facilitate a timely resolution of claims from veterans with Thailand service, the Compensation and Pension Service, in conjunction with DoD, has developed a document for inclusion in the claims file that will substitute for an individual response from the Agent Orange Mailbox. Page 2. Director (00/21) Regional Office Action When developing herbicide-related disability claims from veterans with Thailand service during the Vietnam era, regional offices will no longer send inquiries to the Agent Orange Mailbox. Instead, a copy of the enclosed response document is placed in the veteran’s file. This response document contains input from DoD and is intended to cover general claims of exposure as well as a number of specific exposure claims. If the herbicide exposure issue can be resolved based on this document, then no further development action is necessary. If not, and sufficient information has been obtained from the veteran, send an inquiry directly to JSRRC following its guidelines. If sufficient information cannot be obtained from the veteran to meet JSRRC guidelines, produce a formal memo for the file documenting efforts to obtain information, then forward the claim to the rating activity. Questions Questions about this fast letter should be e-mailed to: VAVBAWAS/CO/211/AGENTORANGE /S/ Bradley G. Mayes Director Compensation and Pension Service Enclosure: 1. Memorandum for the Record: Herbicide use in Thailand during the Vietnam Era See Kurt Priessman report on "HERBICIDE USE IN THAILAND" http://veteransinfo.tripod.com/AO%20Thaila...s/herbicide.pdf