Anthony Feltner

Sorry in an earlier notation I had accidentally miss represented my exposure to JP 5 while serving on The Ponchatoula in 1979-1980, the actual exposure for me was to JP-4.

My service connection related to exposure to various fuels is factual and easy to prove. I was a seaman apprentice, unrated, in the US Navy serving on a refueling ship (USS Ponchatoula AO-148) from 1979 to 1980. I was overtly exposed on a daily basis to JP-4 and was a member of a fueling station on my ship. I broke down couplings and replaced couplings on hoses that fed JP-4 to air craft carriers in the Pacific Fleet and other fuels to destroyers, frigates, and other vessels. We cleaned all our couplings and hoses with JP-4 and wiped down fueling stations with excessive grease by using JP-4 as a cleaning solvent. We would refuel other ships on a routine basis and in maneuvers. We commonly sent over JP-4 and no protective equipment except hard hats, cotton gloves, and our regular uniforms. No respirators or even face respirators as used in hospitals. Once discharged I noticed that I started wheezing when I was exercising and was subsequently diagnosed with asthma and placed on inhalers, 15 years later was placed on CPAP for sleep apnea, and have since developed peripheral neuropathies, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis. I am only 55 years old. I can't walk over 1-2 blocks without a wheelchair due to chronic debilitating back and leg pain. I have memory impairment and have recently developed swelling in my feet that my MD says is Lymphedema.