Hello Ms.Berta,
You used a couple of acronyms I'm not familiar with, my father was remarried and his wife had passed year prior. So I handled his burial through the VA, as he passed in warrior walk. He was at chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois, Lackland AFB TX MPLS and entered at AFEES FT Hamilton NY 71. His specialty number was 92010-Aircrew Pret Hlpr . He did have some claims that where denied, I plan to resubmit before the end of Feb-Mar 2019. He passed march 26, 2018, so it will be no later than prior to the anniversary of his passing.
In addition, since up loading the #216842172-AF-Memo-1-30-79 I did a google search for additional verification of Charles E. Thalken, Lt Col USAF VC, Chief, Environmental Assessment Branch and on page 70-73 of the A129254 Nov 29, 1979 Veterinary claims gives his opinion and AF credentials see: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a129254.pdf
It seems Thalken in his position in the AF, was a leading duty expert so to speak. Thank you.