rthomass

Hadit members this is a very serious action that requires your serious attention. Your Veteran Brothers need your spport......so even if you never were exposed to Agent Orange....write a letter protesting the fact that we are all about to get the shaft.

It is my fervent desire that this thread could be removed from Hadit. It has become so convoluted and catch all that every thing under the sun is put on this thread.....I'm gumpy tonight so excuse me if I not usual sweet self.

SEE STRETCHES POST OF 9 SEPTEMBER 2007 THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS SPONSORED A BILL S-2026 TO LEGISLATIVELY ALTER TITLE 38 THAT WOULD REQUIRE YOU TO AS NICHOLSON SAID HAVE "BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN VIETNAM FOR PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE CONNECTION FOR AGENT ORANGE. CLOSE ONLY COUNTS IN HORSE SHOES AND NUCLEAR BOMBS. U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON September 10, 2007 VETERANS AFFAIRS ATTTN: SENATOR AKAKA, CHAIRMAN 412 RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 SUBJECT: Sponsorship of Senate Bill S-2026 Senator Akaka: I have been a lifelong Democrat. I read with outrage your sponsorship of Senate Bill S2026. This would negate the decisions of the 9th Circuit Court Decision as well as that of The United States Court of Appeals Decision as regards Haas V. Nichoslson. I can assure you that as a twenty year Veteran of the United States Air Force that Agent Orange was not only used on the land mass of Vietnam but in the Country of Thailand. I was assigned to Nakhon Phanom Thailand Royal Thai Air Base from August 1969 to August 1970. NKP is located on the Mekong River across from Laos and the Ho-Mihn Trail. The Air Force sprayed the trail with Agent Orange as well as NKP'S perimeter and other areas on base. It made it easy to see enemy insurgents since it was an excellent defoliant of the tropical jungle around us. I have a three year claim that is presently before the Veterans Administration for exposure to the Herbicide Agent Orange. I am presently in the fight of my life against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; one of the eleven presumptive cancers cited under 38 CFR 3-309(e). I personally thought that of the two political parties that the Republicans were the "BAD" Guys but now you and the Democrats are stabbing the Vietnam Era Veterans in the back! Guess you never know who your enemy your enemy is! Based on your sponsorship of Senate Bill S2026 I will not vote for any Democratic Party candidates in the 2008 National Election or any other election in the future. This statement galls me to write but when you are getting raped you are reluctant to give the rapist a round of applause for the heinous act. Your assurance that you have re-considered sponsorship of Senate Bill S-2026 will give me reason to re-consider my declination to vote Democratic. Senator we put our lives on line for our country. Please help us and do no harm. Just a Veteran that has been forgotten Randall D. Thomas Sr. Louisville, Kentucky 40250 THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO YOU AND EVERY SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE ON DECEMBER 7, 2007 December 7. 2006 Honorable Senator Daniel Akaka US SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS 412 RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 The United States Court for Veterans Claims in a decision dated August 16, 2006 “ Haas vs. Nicholson “ruled that the appellant on appeal from the Veterans Board of Appeals was entitled to a presumption of exposure to the herbicide specifically identified as Agent Orange. It further found that any veteran serving during the Vietnam Era (1962-1975) and who had been awarded the VSM “Vietnam Service Medal” was presumed to have been exposed to the herbicide commonly known as Agent Orange. The desire of my fellow Vietnam Veterans who served during the Vietnam Era in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia as well as their territorial waters who have one of the eleven diseases set forth in 38 C.F.R. 3-309(e). be presumed to have been exposed to agent orange and awarded 100% Veterans Administration Compensation. I propose the decision of The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims “Haas Vs. Nicholson” be a guide to re-write those portions of U.S.C. 38; 38 C.F.R.; and the Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1 by means of new legislation promulgated by the United States Congress. I have attached the U.S. Court Of Appeals for Veterans Claims decision Haas Vs. Nichoson; National Veterans Legal Services Program additional information on exposure to agent orange. Randall D. Thomas Sr.

Stretch I have e-mailed and sent a priority letter to our Mr. Akaka. I am going to copy and paste to this reply. May I strongly suggest that all Veterans get off their duff's and contact Mr. Akaka and their Senators and Representative to protest Senate BILL S-2026. U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON September 10, 2007 VETERANS AFFAIRS ATTTN: SENATOR AKAKA, CHAIRMAN 412 RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 SUBJECT: Sponsorship of Senate Bill S-2026 Senator Akaka: I have been a lifelong Democrat. I read with outrage your sponsorship of Senate Bill S2026. This would negate the decisions of the 9th Circuit Court Decision as well as that of The United States Court of Appeals Decision as regards Haas V. Nichoslson. I can assure you that as a twenty year Veteran of the United States Air Force that Agent Orange was not only used on the land mass of Vietnam but in the Country of Thailand. I was assigned to Nakhon Phanom Thailand Royal Thai Air Base from August 1969 to August 1970. NKP is located on the Mekong River across from Laos and the Ho-Mihn Trail. The Air Force sprayed the trail with Agent Orange as well as NKP'S perimeter and other areas on base. It made it easy to see enemy insurgents since it was an excellent defoliant of the tropical jungle around us. I have a three year claim that is presently before the Veterans Administration for exposure to the Herbicide Agent Orange. I am presently in the fight of my life against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; one of the eleven presumptive cancers cited under 38 CFR 3-309(e). I personally thought that of the two political parties that the Republicans were the "BAD" Guys but now you and the Democrats are stabbing the Vietnam Era Veterans in the back! Guess you never know who your enemy your enemy is! Based on your sponsorship of Senate Bill S2026 I will not vote for any Democratic Party candidates in the 2008 National Election or any other election in the future. This statement galls me to write but when you are getting raped you are reluctant to give the rapist a round of applause for the heinous act. Your assurance that you have re-considered sponsorship of Senate Bill S-2026 will give me reason to re-consider my declination to vote Democratic. Senator we put our lives on line for our country. Please help us and do no harm. Just a Veteran that has been forgotten Randall D. Thomas Sr. Louisville, Kentucky 40250 THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO YOU AND EVERY SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE ON DECEMBER 7, 2007 December 7. 2006 Honorable Senator Daniel Akaka US SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS 412 RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 The United States Court for Veterans Claims in a decision dated August 16, 2006 “ Haas vs. Nicholson “ruled that the appellant on appeal from the Veterans Board of Appeals was entitled to a presumption of exposure to the herbicide specifically identified as Agent Orange. It further found that any veteran serving during the Vietnam Era (1962-1975) and who had been awarded the VSM “Vietnam Service Medal” was presumed to have been exposed to the herbicide commonly known as Agent Orange. The desire of my fellow Vietnam Veterans who served during the Vietnam Era in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia as well as their territorial waters who have one of the eleven diseases set forth in 38 C.F.R. 3-309(e). be presumed to have been exposed to agent orange and awarded 100% Veterans Administration Compensation. I propose the decision of The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims “Haas Vs. Nicholson” be a guide to re-write those portions of U.S.C. 38; 38 C.F.R.; and the Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1 by means of new legislation promulgated by the United States Congress. I have attached the U.S. Court Of Appeals for Veterans Claims decision Haas Vs. Nichoson; National Veterans Legal Services Program additional information on exposure to agent orange. Randall D. Thomas Sr.

Yes Berta I also saw it sveral times yesterday but Micro-Trend caught and quarantined it for me. Regards : Randall PS not griping but the new format is driving me crazy...and the drive for me aint long.

Guys, I have a very unique situation. I have a team of Lawyers out of Washington, DC that refuse to take my calls or return same. Our contract in part states that ;"Attorneys shall take reasonable steps to keep client informed of progress and to respond to Client's inquiries". While I realize I could terminate our contract for breach, I am reluctannt at this stage since the appeal/claim is at the VARO for readjudication after having been to the BVA, AMC, and United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Appeals. HOW DO I GET THEIR ATTENTION?

John9999, it was your reference to Agent orange and being in country i.e. Vietnam that hit a nerve. No offense....I just have thin skin.

I guess us guys sitting on the veranda over looking the Mekong River at Nakhon Phanom Thailand never had a chance to be exposed to AO. The only problem is Agent Orange came from NKP via C123 aircraft fitted with spray units to spray AO over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. NKP as well as most of us non-combatant Air Force weenies at other Thailand bases were expossed via wofking on C-123s and our spraying of base perimeters to kill jungle vegetation. You know a person serving in the states during World War II was considered a veteran of WWII but us Thailand weenies were just there for the show.....I am a Vietnam Veteran and I never put my boot on VN soil.....I and others in Thailand worked around the clock rescuing downed air crews and running interdiction missions along the HO-Chi-Mihn trail. and yes we were subject to attacks by the enemey.

1-866-258-0341

As usual you guys are great. Thanx : Randall

I have a brother that I am helping apply for a non service connected pension. He has COPD as diagnosed by VA but no compensation for COPD. I can read the tables on max allowable net worth but I can't find the amount he will receive if a pension is granted. Could use your guidance.

Berta, I filed my initial claim on 10 Jan 2005 for Non Hodgskins Lymphoma due to the exposure to Agent Orange. I was initially diagnosed with NHL by the local VAMC June 2003. The VA has treated me for the disease from day one. Does any of this impact a Nehmer type award. Is it possible for VA to award prior to the formal initial claim date of 10 January 2005? Seems that since they initially diagnosed NHL and subsequently treated me for NHL that an inferred claim existed in June 2003. Bear in mind I am trying to get it service connected (Thailand) while at the same time I have documents stating "Veteran has Vietnam service".

18 August 2007. Vetrans Administration (VARO) finally revealed they have my appeal locally and it was at the Appeals Team Manager. Berta any ideal how much longer this dance will go on ?

TBIRD appreciate it if you would remove the political post.

Chiefhost00 Please read this post.

Chifehouse 00, I was stationed at NKP from August 1969 to August 1970. Went through one ememy attack that I belive was in March 1970. I recall a liquid chemical which I figured out later was Agent Orange being sprayed after the attack. Seems they used it to clear the perimeter for a free fire zone. I have heard that the millitary used AO when they were building the hootches there. Have read of a case which the Vet claimed AO at NKP and was awarded disability for AO exposure. He was stationed there from August 1969 to April 1970 coincidentally I was ther from August 1970 to August 1970.(I conracted Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2003 and have a claim in for the last 2.5 years. Another friend wrote me a statement stating the presence of Ao at NKP in 1970. C-123's there were rigged to spray AO and did over Vietnam. Unfortunately if the target over VN was obscured they dumped it in Laos and Combodia on the way back to NKP. In some instances they even sprayed it on the HO-Chi-Mihn trail which is but a stones throw from NKP. Do you have any knowldge to AO Sprayimg at NKP or adjacent areas? PLEASE READ MY POST ENTIRLED "VIETNAM SERVICE VERIFIED" Randall

Quite faamiliar with the case since I refernced it in my argumnt to the Board of Veterans Appeals at my hearing. To be exact the Veteran cited in the decision served at NKP from August 1969 to April 1970. I seved at NKP from August 1969 to August 1970.....This was pointed out to The BVA. Just as well I now have the Appeal back at the VARO with my lawyer and additional ammo. Give up? Hell no!

Oneshot thank you for your most useful insight. i have beat this thread to death so I am going to conclude it and hope that I prevail on remand. Thanks to one and all......Helps to get input. Randall

then again served during the "VN conflict should be cited". It is self evident I served during the Vietman confict whether I was in Thailand, Vietnam or a state side Air Base. I believe that their data base record and written statemnet means that what it says "Veteran had service in Vietnam". I never stated in my claim service in Vietnam.....but a I previously stated in another reply VA may have more infothan I do...3o years and the fog of war makes ond dubious as to exactly where they were....damn few border signs...never saw a Welcome to Thailand sign let alone a sign in the jungle stating this is the sovereign border of the Republic of Vietnam. Let the lawyers hash this out and yes I was smart enough to hire a Lawyer.. VA has plenty.

Perhaps we should not try to interpret what it means. It will come out in the wash.

I have never stated I knowingly had service in Vietmnam. There is no deception on my part. I have buddy statement pertaining to the spraying of Agent Orange around the base and along the Mekong River and over the Ho-Chi-Mihn trail that was four miles from our base. Base was in Nakhon Phanom Thailand and adjacent to the Mekong river and the infamous trail. In addition have a medical statement from my Oncologist. This constitutes direct service connection which does not require "Boots on the Ground in Vietnam" I do have the Vietnam Commendation Medal and the Veietnam Service Medal. NKP was a foward deployed unit in direct support of combat operations in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Did you ever think that perhaps The Service in Vietnam means Va has info that I don't have? I was med-evaced by a C-9 Nightingale medical evac airplane that I assumed made the grand circuit just in Thailand bedore going to the Air Force Hospital at Utapao Thailand. It is possible we picked up med-evac patients in Vietnam although I have no meomory of this since I was in alot of pain and on medications.

I don't know who to blame anymore. The AMC says they don't have the appeal that it has been remanded to the VARO. The VARO says it is in transit. Be real helpful if the Veternas Administration added a tracking page to their web site that would tell us exactly the status of a claim/appeal. It could also serve all if the page had a section allowing the Veteran to send and receive information. The Postal Service has a Tracking System; The United Parcel Service has a Tracking System; Fedex has a Tracking System; The Department OF Vetrans Affairs has............. YOU FILL IN THE BLANK.

Josephine, I have a letter from the AMC dated 20 July 2007. The letter states that the claim case file has been sent to the VARO. I have no knowledge where the file is now because everyone (BVA. General Counsel, AMC, VARO) all say in transit. Gues they are walking it down the Bluegrass Parkway from Washington DC to Louisville Kentucky. Course since they are walking to Kentucky they are not required to wear shoes .

Tank, AMC telephone number 866-258-0341; General Counsel 202-639-4800; VARO 1-800=827-1000. Hang on there VET I know how it is; I have been dancing with the Veterans Administration for 30 months. A Friend in the same insane asylum Randall

Berta I don't want to get my hopes up. I don't even think VA has conceded Vietnam Service but then again the manager at the VARO did state this in his reply back to the VAMC. I frankly think the VARO and the VA are erratic and unpredictable in their actions. VA did not and I repeat did not concede agent orange on their own. They stated it more as a fluke in answering a inquiry from the local VA hospital. Once I found out that this document existed (by I must state a nieve and blabber mouth hospital elgibility clerk)I requested the report data base referenced via FOIA to the VA Washinton and the local VARO. They both sent me the BIRL report citing "Y" for Vietnam Service. Concession ? I wonder? To everyone of sound mind Yes! VA who knows ! The System Is Broken...........and all the King's men won't be able to put if back together. Best to abandon and start from scratch!