mike/3/8/cav

I would just like to say this one thing. As an E-7 (PSG) in Germany I was responsible for insuring that my Tanks were secured everynight. I went to the vehicles and insiured all were secured. On several occassions I slipped and fell off of a Tank or two while conducting this inspection, sometimes I fell right on my head from about 5 feet, woke up azed and confused. I was too embarrased to let anyone know that I made such a stupid fall. I saw stars and was dizzy for a few minuted and regained my stability to continue my work. Some soldiers don't complain or let anyone know about these embarassing situations, "we suck it up". If we complained about a hurt head or what caused it we would have been laughed at. How else would senior NCO's get promoted if we went on sick call to get a iagnosis for such a stupid situation? Some military people have different reasons for their problems than even you can"t understand, just like I don"t understand some of yours. My suggestions to you is to try and understand every MOS is not the same and we all go through different situatuions. I have tried to explain things that happened to me in a polite manner in hopes that people (soldiers) such as my MOS have experienced. You have given blanked responses and not done you reaserchon what makes a soldier in different MOs's. I am a retired 19Z50R8. Take a look at what this Mos entails from Basic to retirement then if you understand, you can make a comment on what I went through and still am. I don't understand all the circumstances surrounding yur situation, but I am co mpassionate to listen and try to be undersatanding. also, you don"t have all the answers like you post. Keep it simple and don"t pre-jude just based on your military experience. Ifyou want to help then try reading between the lines or do some research on each MOS, then make a helpfull comment.Not everyone is as intelligent as you perceive yourself to be. Mike, enough said Mike

sgm, Also, I'm a newbie here with my own problems and need answers. There are a great bunch of people on here that have far more knowledge than me. Never be afraid to ask a question even if you think it is dumb. The people on this site are here to advise and help. Just hang in there and you will be surprised of what you will learn. It takes some time but you will prevail. Mike

sgmdae, I know exactly where your comming from. I did the same thing. When I decided to make the Army a career, it entailed sucking up all your hurts and sores. Keeping your pain to yourself(not wanting to be one of those guys who ride sick call). It would not have been possible to make it for 21 years if I went on sickcall for everything that hurt me. Hence, not much in medical records. The few things I did have in my records I am being compensated for though. I never went to a medic and said I had strange dreams or felt tired or was irritated about stuff. It took 16 years for me to go to VA and get request exams for PTSD and my knees and anlke. Thanks to a few onry old VN veteran friends, I went. It is hard to say you hurt, but go and get your exams. It is what you need to do for yourself and family. But, you have to make the step into the VA, it ain't easy but it is worth it. Spill your guts to them, don't hold back anything, be open and honest. You will do well, just take the step. Mike

Thanks Purple, I just have a lot of things going throug my mind while waiting on my rating. Sorry to be a bug about stuff. Anxious and waiting is tough as I'm sure you know. You, hang in there and take care and be safe. There are angels on all our shoulders. Mike

Just wondering, Could it be possible that this last Mental health exam could carry a seperate rating other than PTSD? Just wondering because they diagnosed Major depression this time and not the first time. Thanks Mike

Another question' My first exam was last year August specifically for PTSD. This last exam was for Mental Health. Is there a difference? Why two exams so close together? Could I be rated for PTSD and seperately for Major depression? Just wondering. Mike

I applied for SSDI in 2007 and was denied for not having enough credits. I was awarded 70% sc from VA last October I think was the month. I do receive CRDP which offsets my military retirement. Yes, we are looking forward to the move and will miss the "Great Outdoors". But I need to be closer to medical facilities, too much travel for me up here. Otherwise we would stay. Yesterday and today we are spending time smoking Sockeye Salmon. We will miss that and of course the hunting and making Venison jerkey. Mike

I'm looking at the exam now, First page says WAS THERE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR A MENTAL DISORDER? YES DATES(S) OF OUTPATIENT TREATMENT: August 2008 to present CONDITION(S) AND LOCATION OF TREATMENT: Major Depression, recurrent; PTSD Last page IS THERE TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT, DUE TO PTSD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS? No IF THERE IS NOT TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT, DO PTSD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS RESULT IN DEFICIENCIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS (JUDGMENT, THINKING,FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, WORK,MOOD OR SCHOOL? No IS THERE REDUCED RELIABILTY AND PRODUCTIVITY DUE TO PTSD SYMPTOMS? Yes EXAMPLES AND PERTINENT SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING THOSE ALREADY REPORTED: Veteran identifies avoidance patterns and social withdrawl as the primary current symptoms of PTSD. He also notes some intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbance, disturbing memories and images with some combat related dreams; hyperarousal and ongoing mood irritability; hypervigilance with occassional startle response, persistant anxiety. Veteran experiences overall moderate impairment in occupational and psychosocial functioning due to PTSD and Major Depression. Continued alcohol use likely exacerbates symptoms of PTSD and clinical depression.

Thanks CG and Phillip, I will do just that once we move from here to Washington State. It is so hard to get things done here due to travel and distance to places I need to go. I will be able to get legal advice easier and will try and do what I think I should. It is just to much to do from a remote location. Can't wait until we move. I thought being away from people and the everyday distractions was the way to go. But, what it got me was way behind, I'm not complaining, it was our disission to move up here so I could get away from all the hassle. Live and learn. Mike

No problem Billy, I appreciate any advice or opinion given. It's all about helping each other and giving comments and such. Thanks Mike

Thanks Pete, I don't qualify for SSDI, I waited too long to submit for it, not enough credits over the last 7 years. So, I'm just going to wait as you suggested. Mike

After getting this copy of my exam I filed for IU. I have not filed for Major depression. I think that this last exam will be going to be rated, so I wait. My private doctor has also sent his latest report that shows I have severe Osteoporosis from a bone density exam I had a few months ago along with low Testosterone and Vitamin D deficiency. I think a lot of my depression is related to doctors continuing to find medical problems. I have not worked since 2000, but have done some menial things since. I just don't feel up to going out and doing something that will cause me to break a bone again. Mike, Thanks for your responses.

Thanks for the response, After I got a copy of this exam, I filed for IU. I have not worked since 2000. I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis severe and have not filed for compensation although my private doctor did send a report to the VA of this finding. I guess most of my depression is based on continued unexpected medical problems that just keep croping up at every doctor visit. Every blood draw seems to come up with something different. Last blood draw found low Testosterone, Vitamin D. The hits just keep on coming. Mike

Results of me last exam, Treatment: Major depression, recurrent; PTSD FREQUENCY, SEVERITY AND DURATION OF NON-PTSD PSYCHIATRIC/MEDICAL SYMPTOMS: Ongoing symptoms of major depression, including persistently depressed mood, anhedonia,social withdrawl,impaired concentration and focus. Depression is ongoing, related to an extent to ongoing health concerns. NO HISTORY OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, NO HISTORY OF VIOLANCE PSYCH EXAM General appearance, casually dressed, other, appears older than stated age PSYCHOMOTOR ACTIVITY: Fatigued SPEECH: hesitant,coherent,other,halting Attitude: cooperative Affect: blunted Mood: anxious,good,dysphoric Attention: easily distracted, attention disturbance(short attention) Able to do serial 7's? No Able to spell a word forward and backword? Yes Intact to person, time and place: Yes Thought process: rambling Does the patient have sleep impairment: Yes,nocturnal awakening, sleep disrupted. Some dreams related to military experiences about twice a week, not always frightining. MEMORY: Remote memory: mildly impaired Recent memory: mildly impaired Imediate memory: mildly impaired, veteran complains of increasing memory impairment PTSD SYMPTOMS Persistent re-experiencing the traumatic eventby: recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, including images, thoughts, or perceptions. Recurrent or distressing dreams of the event. Intense psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event. Persistant avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness. Persistant symptoms of increased arousal Description of the onset of symptoms: Chronic Frequency, severity and duration of PTSD symptoms found: Ongoing symptoms of moderate intensity Identified behavioral, cognitive,social,affective, or somatic change the vegteran attributes to stress exposure: Veteran identifies avoidance patterns and social withdrwal as the primary current symptom of PTSD. He also notes some intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, disturbing memories and images with some combat-related dreams,hyperarousal and ongoing mood irritability, hypervigilance with occasional startle response. DEGREE OF SEVERITY OF PTSD BASED ON PSYCHOMETRIC DATA Moderate Does the veteran meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD? Yes AXIS I: PTSD, chronic, moderate Major depression, recurrent AXIS II: Deferred AXIS III: Per medical record AXIS IV: health concerns, social isolation, continuing symptoms AXIS V: Global assessment of functioning 55 time frame State Prognosis for improvement of psychiatric condition and impairments in functional status: Limited prognosis for improvement Extent to which disorders other than PTSD are independantly responsible for impairment in psychosocial adjustment/life quality: Major depression, recurrent I hope this second exam does not decrease my compensation as I count on it every month. Currently 50%sc PTSD, total 70%sc. Thanks for letting me rant and ramble Mike

Gulf War Syndrome Gets Real BU experts evaluate the science for landmark federal report SPH’s Roberta White says symptoms of Gulf War syndrome, such as fatigue, skin lesions, and gastrointestinal upset, are not the result of stress alone. Photo by Frank Curran Gulf War veterans suffering a host of neurological problems have scored a victory in their struggle to legitimize their medical claims – thanks in part to public health experts at BU, whose research effectively debunks years of government denials. A congressionally mandated panel, made up of leading scientists, medical experts, and military veterans, charged with shaping federal health research related to the 1991 Middle East conflict has concluded that Gulf War syndrome is a real medical condition and that it afflicts at least one in four of the 697,000 U.S. veterans who fought in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The landmark report, presented in November by the BU-based Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, calls on Congress to appropriate $60 million for treatment of Gulf War vets. “Veterans of the first Gulf War have been plagued by symptoms of ill health, including fatigue, problems with thinking, skin lesions, and gastrointestinal upset, since their return seventeen years ago,” says Roberta White, the committee’s scientific director and a professor and chair of the School of Public Health department of environmental health. “Despite their persistence and severity, these symptoms have often led to no diagnosis in a substantial portion of the war’s veterans.” The 450-page report brings together for the first time the full range of scientific research and government investigations on Gulf War illness. The report found that the condition fundamentally differs from stress-related syndromes seen after other wars and states that scientific evidence “leaves no question that Gulf War illness is a real condition.” The report lays the blame for several health problems on the troops’ exposure to toxins, primarily in two contexts where the exposure was caused by the U.S. military itself. In anticipation of a chemical attack, the drug pyridostigmine bromide was given to hundreds of thousands of troops. And living and dining areas, tents, and uniforms were sprayed with pesticides to battle desert insects. The report also suggests that the U.S. demolition of an Iraqi munitions dump may have exposed 100,000 troops to nerve gas stored at the facility. Gulf War veterans have shown significantly higher rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, than veterans of other wars. And troops that were stationed downwind from the demolition site have died from brain cancer at twice the rate of other Gulf War veterans. For almost two decades, the government and the military have downplayed veterans’ complaints, often referring to them as another form of post-traumatic stress disorder. For its report, the research committee evaluated hundreds of studies of Gulf War veterans, extensive research in other human populations, studies on toxic exposures in animals, and government investigations related to exposures in the Gulf War. “The illness is probably controversial because it’s symptom-based, and most veterans don’t have a common medical diagnosis that fits all of their symptoms,” White says. “It may also be controversial because people feel that it’s obvious that war is stressful and therefore stress must be causing the health symptoms, even though this has never been proven. In fact, it’s been discounted in quite a few studies.” White has been studying Gulf War illnesses since 1993 and served as research director of one of the three initial VA-funded centers on Gulf War illness. Since the early 1990s the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other federal entities, have funded SPH studies of Gulf War veterans and the effects of exposure to low-level sarin, pesticides, and pyridostigmine bromide. Download: Print: Share: Email: *Your name: *Your Email: The content of this field is not retained. *Friend's Email: Enter multiple email addresses seperated with commas. Your Comments: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CommentsOn 19 April 2009 at 3:06 PM, Antonio C. Kelley Sr ('95) wrote: I forward links to articles about Gulf War Illness for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because I am a Gulf War Veteran, and I've had some problems since I came back from Iraq on March 28, 1991. My problems aren't near as bad as some of the other veterans and their families. I think God that I as still able to work, and support my family so far. I truly thank Him with all my heart. It is only because of God that I am alive today. I say this because when I was discharged from the Army I was suicidal, but my Christian up bringing wouldn't allow me to take my life. Thank you Jesus. I forward these links for reason number two. I don't want my sick brothers and sisters at arms to be forgotten while Americans get so caught up in the economy that they forget there's veterans and their families still suffering and fighting this war almost nineteen years after G. Bush called for a cease fire. Don't forget us. Don't forget them. The third reason is, we are now sending our children their without knowing what caused us to become ill, and because The U.S. hasn't don't anything satisfactory to compensate, and help those whose lives it has already destroyed. They just keep throwing money at the Universities, and research centers while waiting for Gulf War Veterans to die off. If you forget these veterans then who will fight for those veterans and their families who fought for you. May God bless you and keep you in his perfect peace. On 15 April 2009 at 9:59 AM, David H. Marshall (ENG'61) wrote: e. Gulf War Symptom Oversights. From 1956 the same on noise! Previously identified were the available on request 77 injured USAF personnel. This is a from 1956 Project 7210 known certain jet engine injury for ALL UNPROTECTED flight line and navy deck personnel. It is requested that you ask your congressional representatives to see that oversight and accountability is realized for everyone. This is for a 1948, required at a 95 decibels (dB) noise level, without protection injury. It is a sound pressure multiple (X) of 59 times that of a normal conservation. A then 1956 known from 6,144 X (@ 135 dB) through 815,583 X (@ 177 dB) certain disability. An in 2009 now over 50 years later overlooked injury to many. A mysterious disappearance of proof! A 2009 visit to the Project 7210 "contrails.iit.edu" site revealed that the under its "search", using "TR 54-401", the 130 page jet engine noise levels Report has disappeared! This is the proof of the U. S. Militaryâ•˙s unprotected jet engine very high noise levels that ranged from 135 dB to 177 dB. It was a then known certain injury in direct disobedience of the 1948 Air Force Regulation (AFR) 160-3. This is its 95 dB. maximum noise level with a sound pressure multiple (X) of 59 without protection. The USAF Wright Air Development Center "contrails.iit.edu" site had the July 1956, Project 7210, Technical Report (TR) 54-401. Recorded, at a radius of 50 feet, are the noise levels for 27 versions of 10 jet-engines in 1947 to 1956 U. S. Military service. This previously received, now vanished from site report is attached. The sound pressure multiple (X) source is the American Medical Association (AMA) Family Medical Guide 3d. Edition page 365, also attached. Its 60 dB "Normal c! Conversation" is the base line for the calculated AMA "....sound pressure doubles with an increase of 6 decibels". Accordingly, the 27 versions of the10 jet-engines have an overall sound pressure multiple ranging from 6,144 X (@ 135 dB) to 815,583 X (@ 177 dB) vs. the ignored required 59 X (@ 95 dB) protection. TR 54-401 and this veteranâ•˙s in-hand documentation could help some so exposed, e.g., "Had some trouble with hearing while working on warm-up crew for F-86 D with very high noise levels." The physicianâ•˙s 29 Jan. 54 USAF Cadet Wing Commander washout statement. At Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida all flight line personnel were unprotected and subjected to the Project 7210 "very high noise levels". For F-86D personnel it is the then known certain J47-GE-1 jet-engine noise level injury, i.e., the attached TR 54-401 pages 68-75, "Test Group 10, Date of the Tests: 1952, Test Numbers 62-64". This is an at 50 feet 158 dB noise level with an 87,381 X sound pressure multiple. Fifteen (15) of the 77 were repeatedly exposed to a "warm-up crew" level of over 699,051 X at 176 dB! As with ALL UNPROTECTED flight line (USAF, Army) and flight deck (USN) personnel they worked well within a 50 feet radius and were injured in direct disobedience of the 1948 AFR 160-3. Your consideration is most appreciated. Thank you. On 15 April 2009 at 9:17 AM, Michelle North wrote: I am a veteran of the Gulf War. I went to our local VA hospital, when I first came home. I too, have experienced many of the symptoms that other soliders have. I was also in a study, but at the end of the study, they said "there is no real Gulf War Syndrome". To this day, I am extremely tired, just found to have Gastric Polyps in my stomach, have always had stomach and colon problems, and can not think clearly. Sometimes I think I'm loosing my mind. But it doesn't seem that anyone in the military is helping us. They just keep telling us its all in our head. Please, let me know where I can go to get help. We deserve it. People join the military to honor and protect our country and what do we get for it when its all over? Nothing.... On 14 April 2009 at 3:36 PM, Richard G. Shuster wrote: From it's onset, Gulf War Syndrome has always been real, but what has been unreal was the apparent ignorng of the blatent use of experimental vaccines and adjuvants on our military. The desired focus on chemical and other exposures has eclipsed the underlying issues of the cause and effects of medical experimentation on unuspecting test subjects through wide spread use of experimental vaccines in Gulf War era and other eras of military veterans. My question has been and remains for most of the various hypotheses; why are so many non-deployed veterans ill with the same or similar symptomology as those deployed. Then and now; it is the only common denominator that ties the primary source to the injected vaccines to both subject groups who received the experimental vaccines. I had lunch recently with a good friend, a very learned fellow and lifelong bio-chemist and professor. He has been aware of some of the issues dating back to the CFS ╲outbreak╡ at Lake Tahoe in the early 80â•˙s that followed the administration of flu shots to a group of people; thus began the whole pursuit of chronic diseases. A government contractor developed the adjuvant used in the flu vaccine, the same that continued to be used in other vaccines and is reportedly still being used. The adjuvant has been frequently but inconsistently used over a period of at least 25 or so year, in various multiple vaccines both in military and civilian use experimental and standard vaccines. There are troops and civilians who are still getting vaccines using experimental vaccines and adjuvant(s). Taking a breath here; I capitulate that in addition to the issues surrounding the experimental vaccines, there are other components in the illnesses of those deployed and so exposed; Depleted Uranium, PB, Chemicals of many kinds, localized environmental concerns, and some other unique combinations. But none of them has the 1-2 punch of deployed and non-deployed, as the experimental vaccines do. Of course, it is positive to see some long overdue attention being directed to those many afflicted with the Gulf War Syndrome, but this and other limited scope research wll remain inadequate until all root causes are honestly examined, admitted and addressed. Until the widespread use of experimental vaccines on our military personnel is shown in the light of day, the proper addressing of diagnoses and treatment is sorely incomplete and misdirected. On 14 April 2009 at 12:27 PM, Donald Overton wrote: Unfortunately, the same problems still exist with DoD and VA which is a refusal to acknowledge the exposures. When the VA received the RAC report Sec. Peake remanded the study to the IOM for further review. All of the IOM's previous studies have been flawed and I doubt they will get it right this time. The new VA Sec. Shinseki has already discounted Gulf War exposures by refusing to make a myriad of conditions presumptive for service connected disability compensation. Gulf War vets continue to be denied access to health care and benefits and continue to die at alarming rates. We have been abandoned and once buried forgotten...it is shameful. On 13 April 2009 at 2:41 PM, Rita wrote: Gulf War Syndrome is real. On 12 April 2009 at 11:21 AM, Angel Lytle (SPC'86) wrote: I was thrilled to read that our soldiers will now be taken care of like they should have been taken care of years ago. I understand all too well how they all must feel. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and most of the medical field refuses to acknowledge hat we actually have a disease that is debilitating. In this country, research on certain diseases take a backseat to others, and that is so unfair to the sufferers of those diseases. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for finally giving the soldiers of the Gulf War the attention that they so desperately need. On 10 April 2009 at 8:03 PM, Samol wrote: What of those who fell ill in the US, too ill to fly to the Gulf? Those soldiers were given Lariam, an anti malarial prophylaxis, which is known to induce devastating symptoms. In effect, damage inflicted by Lariam, include sudden cardiac death, and irreversible damage to brain and other organs. neurological symptoms, cardiac, liver, renal, skin, allergies, and other symptoms, reactivating dormant bacterial and viral infections. Those soldiers were also given fluoroquinolones antibiotics, which are known, to also have similar devastating side effects? On 10 April 2009 at 8:30 PM, Sharon Smith (MED'75) wrote: "The report also suggests that the U.S. demolition of an Iraqi munitions dump may have exposed 100,000 troops to nerve gas stored at the facility. Gulf War veterans have shown significantly higher rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, than veterans of other wars. And troops that were stationed downwind from the demolition site have died from brain cancer at twice the rate of other Gulf War veterans." So Saddam didn't have WMD What is nerve gas? What was in the munitions that caused cancer? Were there radioactive heads on the rockets and bullets that Saddam had in his arsenal? They didn't test them-they just destroyed them.That is the only thing that would explain the high incidence of brain cancer.The bromine in pyridostigmine bromide can explain the Gulf war syndrome in part. Saddam also had chemical weapons which he used to gas the Kurds with.If that isnt a WMD then what the hell is? OF COURSE SADDAM HAD WMD. This is a travesty to call Gulf war syndrome a psychological post traumatic stress disorder. On 10 April 2009 at 8:03 PM, Samol wrote: Not an alumnus, but I wanted to thank you for the article. These people have been mistreated, and so have the civilian counterparts who suffer from pesticide poisoning, myalgic encephalomyelitis (sometimes called by the horrible and incorrect name "chronic fatigue syndrome"), chronic Lyme, and other neuroimmune conditions. There is still hope that they will recognize something sometime somewhere for some of us. Mike

CG, I found the same thing the other day on my RAS. CRDP did not show as it has in the past. Sure hope it is not left out of my direct deposit?

Congrats

This is in response to your recent inquiry on March 13, 2009, in regards to your VA Claim. Your claimed conditions are as follows; · Back Condition · Bronchitis · Eyesight condition –Bilateral · Headaches · Left Arm Condition · Neck Condition · Right Arm Condition · Diabetes Mellitus · Right Shoulder Soreness We have also forwarded a request to the Anchorage VA Regional Office to inquire on your Registry exam status. Thank you for your service to our Country! Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message or see our other contact information below. Sincerely yours, E. J. Kruse National IRIS Response Center Manager DJO How to Contact VA: On line: www.va.gov By phone: 1-800-827-1000 1-800-829-4833 (TDD hearing impaired) By Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office 2925 DeBarr Road Anchorage, AK 99508 I guess now I have to get an exam for each thing I am claiming here? I have all the documents in my MSR's for headach but the others listed will I have to ask for a presumtive rating due to lack of in service medical problems for them except for my retirement physical which states I said I had these problems? They only became worse after retirement and only recently (over the last 7 years have I been getting tratment for them through a civilian doctor.

I hear ya grent, I am concerned also. Maybe the money that was given to the VA was taken back and given to GM, CITI or BofA. I don't see the transparency here. I will continue to "hope".

This was a tribute to Irish on Stardust Radio last night: Welcome to VFVC and OFFE live ON THE AIR! Your Host; Gene and Jere March 12, 2009 9pm Eastern 8pm Central 7pm Mountain 6pm Pacific We must send a clear message to all State and U.S. Representatives! The Veterans and the Citizens of this Nation are in CHARGE! Now monitor those that have been ELECTED! If we are to have a strong GOVERNMENT!!! By the people and for the people! We must be strong now!!!! Call in at: 1877 213-4329 and let's talk! If you have a voice let it be heard tonight on Welcome to VFVC live on the air! Let's FIRE FOR EFFECT! With the voices of our Veterans and Supporters!! Through out this Nation! mass conference call tonight! Get Aboard!!!! Your continued support and dedication to veterans and their issues! Tribute to Captain "Irish: Bresnahan A Falling Hero Who was? JACKPOT! Tonight Time: 6:30pm Simper Fi!!! Always faithfull Mike Brenahan & family, loved ones, friends, Veterans. Peace and LOVE for Irish, My deepest thoughts of the celebration of her life and legacy as she would have wanted me to pass on to all. We Honor a Fallen Hero. I had a promise to Captain Agnes "Irish" Bresnahan, Vietnam Era Veteran, it required only one commitment, that the world, all veterans, all of our nation will know of her legacy, love, care, and her cause and crusade to help all Veterans, and those Vietnam Veterans contaminated from chemical exposure from Agent Orange herbicide, past and present, living or deceased. I ask we all share in that promise as we honor and pay tribute to the "Wonderful One" Irish. Her last interview with me on her life and story to be told to the world. January 25, 2009 Take - Title #14NH Irish - Excerpts Interview Irish "I do believe no matter what occurs to you there is a good reason behind it" "And when this happened I think the good behind it is what I'm doing as an advocate, speaking out, this is the good. I can speak of it, I can give out comfort, encouragement to hang in there. No promises that you will survive a month or two, but that you are not alone, there is reach out". Irish 1 25 2009 "If that's the good portion of why this pain and suffering, then it would have been worth it. To let other people know whether it's PTSD, MST, chemicals or what ever, you are not alone. You might think you're alone but you are not and once we reach out to one we reach out to many" Irish 1 25 2009 "If anything this pain makes life more vivid, as for when it can take me, any day, take me any day, in a way that will be peaceful. I think peaceful not only for me but for my family and friends to. At least I will be out of the pain" Irish 1 25 2009 "On the flip side, I would like to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, I would like a full Military Honor, and I know in my passing, if I do, i know internationally across the world across the United States there are many Veterans who will know my name. U.S Captain M. Agnes "Irish" Bresnahan DOB 10/5/50 Agent Orange Victim "Deny, Delay, and Die" Captain Irish Died March 11 2009 forty six days later after this interview. Two days after her Veterans Board of Appeals Hearing for Agent Orange disability benefits on March 9th 2009 in Washington DC. Irish passed in Washington DC at George Washington University Hospital. Peace and Prayers for the "Wonderful One" Pass it along, we love you. Carlo Albanese -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May she stay in our thoughts. And our prayers with her family

Congrats, good news is hard to come by.

They make us a bunch of pill popping junkies. Take these and see me next week.

Good article bb, Even the Research Advisory Commitee is having problems getting Gulf War vets to come and speak. I think it is because they are tired of hearing "it's all in your head". Yeah, spend a day in my head.

Just checking last years neuro exam and found that under headaches it says Cervicaglia. Does this require another exam to get a rating?