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68mustang
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Posts posted by 68mustang
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The ship I was on went to Vietnam in 1967 before I went aboard. The ship came back from Vietnam in May 1967 and and I went on board in Nov. 1967. The ship was in Vietnam waters and took on water to be distilled for drinking, bathing, cooking and for boiler feed water. The ship went out for a Med. and North Atlantic Cruise in early 1968. After coming back from the cruise it went to the Boston shipyard to have some work done. After the work was done it went for a shakedown cruise to Guantamano Bay, Cuba. The ship came back to the U.S. and I left the ship 1969.
There have been studies done by the Australian Navy on Agent Orange and drinking water distilled in Vietnam waters. They reported that many Australian sailors came down with diseases associated with Agent Orange, but they never set foot in Vietnam. The connection was the distilled Vietnam waters polluted with Agent Orange. They also found out that when the Agent Orange was superheated it became more volatile. The Australian Navy ships used the same type of distillation plants as the U.S. Navy ships. As far as I know the U.S. Navy has never conducted studies on what happened when our U.S. Navy ships distilled Vietnam water for use on board the ships. Plus as far as I know the U.S. Navy did not check to see if residue from Agent Orange stayed in the distillation plants or drinking water tanks. The Agent Orange residue may have stayed in there until the ships were taken out of service and the distillation plants and water tanks were never cleaned out. It could be that sailors who went onboard the ships that came back from Vietnam got exposed to Agent Orange if the residue was was never cleaned out from the distillation plants and water tanks.
Has anyone heard of any U.S. studies on Agent Orange and the distilled Vietnam waters. Anyone have any thoughts on what wrote? It may seem far fetched, but to me it amy be something our government should look into now with the PACT ACT.
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On 4/2/2018 at 5:14 PM, broncovet said:
I humbly suggest you get and read your medical file, and you can answer this question yourself.
Before you get SC for this, you will need 2 things (3 if its a new SC, only 2 if its secondary):
1. Current diagnosis of TMJ.
2. Nexus, or docs opinion that its "at least as likely as not" that your TMJ is related to your (sc) depression.
You see, the VA will insist you have a nexus to YOUR depression, not just a general one that depression causes TMJ. However, it sounds like its likely that a doc would give you a nexus, if you dont already have one. That is, you will need and IMO/IME if you are lacking your nexus.
Broncovet, Berta, and Vync Thank you all for your helpful response and will take your advice.
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I was diagnosed with TMJ back in 1986 on the outside, not by the VA. I am now being being compensated 50% depression-anxiety and 10% tinnutis by the VA. My TMJ has gotten worse and I am having problem with my jaw on both sides. I recently found out through reading that TMJ can be aggravated by depression and anxiety. I have been thinking of filing a secondary claim for the aggravation of my TMJ due to the depression and anxiety. Anyone out have any input on my filing a secondary claim for the condition I mentioned? And has anyone ever filed a claim for TMJ and a secondary claim for aggravation of it? Thanks for any input you all may have.
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The following web site has info from the National Academies contract with the VA on hearing loss.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11443
68mustang
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I also was denied several times since 1989. I finally went to an ENT doctor who wrote up a letter stating that my hearing loss and tinnitus were due to military jobs that I did during my enlistment. I also provided the VA with a list of jobs I did since I got out in 1971. None of the jobs were of the type that had any hazardous noise exposure. Plus I also had my wife write a buddy letter stating that the jobs I had listed were jobs that I had worked on after I got out of the military. I also got in touch with some of my military buddies and they also wrote buddy letters for me. They wrote about the hazardous noise conditions we worked in and the lack of hearing conservation programs at the time. The Va wrote in one of the denial letters that I had not complained about hearing loss or tinnitus during my enlistment. While that was true that I did not complain at the time about hearing loss or tinnitus, I provided the VA with info I had obtained. That info stated that in some cases hearing loss and tinnitus could happen immediately after exposure, but in many cases it may take decades before hearing loss or tinnitus becomes apparent. There are many hazardous exposures that military service people have been exposed to. The medical conditions associated with those exposures might take years or decades to appear, but the VA will say you did not complain about any problems associated with those exposures. There is info on the internet and on the VA web site that you can use in the claim. I used the VA's own info on hearing loss and tinnitus as a basis as to how long it might take hearing loss and tinnitus to become apparent. The VA does the same thing about asbestos exposure. It turn me down on a claim having to do with asbestos exposure because I did not have any symptoms and that I did not complain in the 1960's and 1970's about the asbestos exposure. In other words they put the monkey on my back and I countered with how was I supposed to know about the dangers of asbestos exposure back then when even the Navy made no effort to protect me and countless other sailors. I looked up info on the VA web site and other web sites that dealt with asbestos exposures. Almost all of them stated that medical problems associated with asbestos exposure could take years or decades before manifesting themselves. I sent copies of the info I found with the VA claim. I also got buddy letters stating that we were exposed to asbestos and the lack of asbestos exposure protection and lack of information on the hazards of asbestos exposure.
As I have stated before the VA will deny a claim stating that the veteran did complain at the time about the disability. We hear that time and time again. There are ways to overcome it, but it takes time and effort.
68mustang
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I received it and my garbologist received it - shredded in my rubbish.
My family's heritage and gene pool has absolutely nothing to do
with my conditions that are either directly related or secondary to
my service related / connected conditions.
IMO - I'm enough of a lab rat for them already.
Thanks you all for your responses.
68mustang
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Did anyone else receive a letter from the VA with a survey to fill out from the Million Veteran Program: A Partnership with Veterans? The letter states VA's MVP program ia national, voluntary research program. And that it is designed to help researchers better understand how genes affect health and illness, with the goal of improving health care for Veterans. It also includes completing a one-time study visit to provide a blood sample for genetic analysis at a participating VA Medical Center. Just like to know if anyone else got a letter like mine.
68mustang
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I often wondered about the effects of having worked with JP5 in the boiler room while cleaning boiler equipment. I got out of the Navy in 1971 my end of enlistment medical exams showed no heart problems. In 1982 I was diagnosed with a heart murmur that doctors say is hereditary. The type of heart problem I have is hyertrophic cardiomyopathy and doctors say that it runs in some families. I have checked with family members and no one recollects anyone having this same problem within the family. The heart problem did not show up prior to my enlistment and has been of great concern to me and my family
Let me ask if there any others out there if they have heart problems the same as mine who were exposed to JP5 and now have a heart murmur. Thanks.
68mustang
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People have been asking for the links
here they are
http://www.ncbi.nlm....1061276/?page=3
http://www.national-...org/solvent.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/3585422
Thanks for websites.
68mustang
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68mustang, I don't think the JSRRC review was done. In my decision they said I did not give enough evidence to do a records search for my other stressors. I now understand that they need approx. dates of crashes/deaths and/or plane #'s, etc. Maybe now that I have the link for information on CVA-42 I will find more.
I will work on this... since I thought the Miramar event was beyond question I did not pursue the others so much. oops. Had I done that it would have been good, as all I listed were stated in my C&P as meeting requirements to be considered as stressors. (there were three besides the Miramar event)
Bottomline is that you have fellow shipmates give you buddy statements placing you at the scene. Official documents will also help. Those things will go a long way in proving your stressors.
68mustang
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I'm fairly new at this, don't know what the JSRRC is.... I do know what it stands for, but don't know what they do...
Steve, I got the email from Pat. Thanks for all your efforts!!
Mystic, thank you for cheering us on in this!!!
I promise if I make it through this and win this, that I will be here for other vets!!! You guys are all great.
Hope this help it is a previous post here on hadit. I found out a JSRRC review had been done on my stressors. when I requested a copy of my C-file and a copy of the JSRRC review of my stressors was there. My stressors were confirmed in the review. What you need to find out is whether a JSRRC review was done to confirm your stressors.
68mustang
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Have you tried to get buddy letter detailing what happened and verifying you were there at the time of the incidents? Did anyone keep copies of letters you sent home in which you described what happened? Did you get copies of performance ratings that show a decrease in your performance during the time in question? Are there any copies of request for transfers?
68mustang
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Well, according to my VA guy there is a list of ships that were recognized as being excessively loud and contributing to hearing loss. If you served on one of those ships you were presumed to have a basis for a claim for hearing loss. Unfortunately he can't locate that list at the moment. Are there other forums I might ask this question if no one here has an answer? I'm not trying to be snippy, just looking for info. I appreciate you responding.
Urge
I have not heard or seen a list of the ships as you mentioned. There are list of ships exposed to Agent Orange
and list of ships infested with asbestos.
68mustang
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T8r-
"The Duty MOS Noise Exposure Listing, which has been reviewed and endorsed by each branch of service, is available at http://vbaw.vba.va.g...utymosnoise.xls"
This link does not work.
fanaticbooks- None of these pertains to Navy ships. These are mostly from the Army. I am looking for a list of US Navy ships that are considered to cause hearing loss.
Urge
I found the following previous post by others here on hadit. Remember that hearing loss and tinnitus are two different issues.
68mustang
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Got my return call this morning. However the call came in at 10:45 AM Central Time
it was suppose to be at 11:45 AM.
Guess one has to take into consideration that the call center is working on Eastern Time?
68mustang
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68, Don't be surprised if they do not call you back, and if they do, I heard rumors that they hired "Peggy" from the Discovery Commercials as a Customer Service Trainer.
Papa
Good one Papa.
68mustang
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I called the VA 1-800 this morning and got the usual message that I could not be helped at this time. The recorded message asked if I would like to be called back and I answered yes. Here it is Wednesday and my appointment for callback is on Friday morning. Must be a bunch of others in the same boat as me waiting for callbacks.
68mustang
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I had a QTC C&P exam earlier this year and the Houston RO kept telling me that QTC had not provided a copy of the exam report. I called the QTC office here in town and they told me that a copy had been electronically provided to Houston RO. To make a long story short many months later the Houston RO still maintains that "they" the RO needs to load the QTC exam report into the system. So I wait and wait for them to load up an exam report that has been there at the RO for months. The holiday season only adds to the wait.
68mustang
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Congrats Carlie. The news came at a good time.
68mustang
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Thanks for the replies. I did check with my VSO and he stated that it has been taking up to six months to add dependents. I am only adding my wife as my dependent. Also I had sent the info needed for dependents when I filed my claim. Ebenefits only shows my marriage certificate as having been received. I have taken action with my VSO to correct the dependent problem.
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ammo,
They did use the combined rating table for him.
50 + 10 = 55 - means comp rounds up to the 60% level.
Here's a link to the comp calculator for you from the homepage :
http://www.hadit.com//service_connected_disabilities_rating_calculator.php
Thanks Carlie. I also was confused at one time on how the VA calculated the ratings. I now use the hadit comp calculator.
68mustang
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Thanks for the responses. I noticed on the award letter that I was being paid as a single vet and I took care of that yesterday. Monday I will go get my veterans' tax exemption updated for my home.
68mustang
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68 -
WOW - GREAT NEWS !
What's the effective date ?
I'm so glad this came thru for you.
Thanks for the responses. Effective date starting Oct 2009 10% + 30% = 40% then June 2011 at 10% + 50% = 60%.
68mustang
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My award letter came in today and my depression rating went from 10% to 50%. My total rating is now at 60%. Again thanks to hadit and its members for help in achieving my goal after so many years.
68mustang
Agent Orange and Navy Ship's Drinking Water
in Agent Orange
Posted
Thanks for the reply. I'll see if I send NOVA an email.
There may may be many sailors and other service members who may have Agent Orange exposure related illnesses, but the VA has looked the other way for too long.
The following is one of the studies I was referring to:
copyright
privacy
Former Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Wednesday 18 December 2002 VA169
VIETNAM WATER CONTAMINATION STUDY RELEASED
The Federal Government will ask the Repatriation Medical Authority to review its principles for
veteran compensation claims for exposure to dioxins, after a study found that Royal Australian Navy
and some Australian Army personnel serving in Vietnam may have been exposed to dioxins through
contaminated drinking water.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna Vale, said
she had also asked the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to undertake further research into the study
findings, using the results in the current Vietnam Veterans Mortality and Cancer Incidence Study.
“The Government commissioned the study in response to concerns from Navy veterans following the
1997 Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study, which showed an elevated mortality rate among RAN
personnel, particularly RAN Logistic Support personnel,” the Minister said.
“Herbicide exposure through the evaporative water distillation processes used on ships while in
Vietnamese waters was identified as one potential cause. Tests by the National Research Centre on
Environmental Toxicology have now shown that dioxins can pass through the evaporative distillation
process.
“If contaminated water were used in this process, the study indicates it is likely that the consumption
of drinking water exposed personnel to dioxin levels that exceeded safe levels proposed by the
National Health and Medical Research Council.
“This is a matter of concern to the Government in fulfilling our commitment to care for those who
served during the Vietnam War. It potentially affects not only Navy veterans but those who served on
Army small ships or travelled as passengers from Vietnam on HMAS Sydney.”
Minister Vale said she had received the assurance of the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie,
that it was unlikely that the problems that may have been experienced in Vietnam would occur now.
“The majority of RAN ships are now fitted with alternative desalination units and, in any case, current
operating procedures require that, under ordinary circumstances, production of water for domestic
use is not to be undertaken in estuaries, or in seawater which is likely to be contaminated.”
Navy continues to refine its potable water standards and to assess the effectiveness of its
desalination equipment.
Minister Vale said all Australians who served in Vietnam were already entitled to treatment and
compensation for war-caused conditions related to exposure to dioxins. She encouraged veterans
who believed they might need assistance for such conditions to contact the Department of Veterans’
Affairs on 133 254.
”These results may have implications for the Statements of Principles that govern determination of
the links between wartime service and these conditions,” Minister Vale said.
“I have asked that the study findings be referred to the independent Repatriation Medical Authority to
consider whether any changes are necessary to these Principles,” Minister Vale said.
“The findings will be taken into account in the latest mortality study of Vietnam veterans, which is
also investigating rates of cancer among Australians who served in Vietnam.
“Health research is a vital part of meeting the health care needs of our veterans. Considerable effort
has gone into researching the health of Vietnam veterans in particular and these findings add
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2002/12_dec/va169.htm (1 of 2)11/5/2005 10:58:33 AM
Media Release from Former Minister - The Hon. De-Anne Kelly MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
significantly to the scientific knowledge available to help provide the support they need.
“This research has always been conducted with strong support from the veteran community and I
would like to express my appreciation to the many Vietnam veterans who assisted this study,” the
Minister said.
“The findings of the study are available on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.dva.
gov.au.”
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2002/12_dec/va169.htm (2 of 2)11/5/2005 10:58:33 AM