Jump to content
!! Advice given is in no way a substitute for consulting with a competent Veterans law firm, such as one on the NOVA advocate website !! ×
VA Disability Claims Community Forums - Hadit.com




  • veterans-crisis-line.jpg
    The Veterans Crisis Line can help even if you’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care.

    CHAT NOW

  • question-001.jpeg

    Have Questions? Get Answers.

    Tips on posting on the forums.

    1. Post a clear title like ‘Need help preparing PTSD claim’ or “VA med center won’t schedule my surgery” instead of ‘I have a question.
       
    2. Knowledgeable people who don’t have time to read all posts may skip yours if your need isn’t clear in the title.
      I don’t read all posts every login and will gravitate towards those I have more info on.
       
    3. Use paragraphs instead of one massive, rambling introduction or story.
       
      Again – You want to make it easy for others to help. If your question is buried in a monster paragraph, there are fewer who will investigate to dig it out.
     
    Leading too:

    exclamation-point.pngPost straightforward questions and then post background information.
     
     
    Examples:
     
    • Question A. I was previously denied for apnea – Should I refile a claim?
      • Adding Background information in your post will help members understand what information you are looking for so they can assist you in finding it.
    Rephrase the question: I was diagnosed with apnea in service and received a CPAP machine, but the claim was denied in 2008. Should I refile?
     
    • Question B. I may have PTSD- how can I be sure?
      • See how the details below give us a better understanding of what you’re claiming.
    Rephrase the question: I was involved in a traumatic incident on base in 1974 and have had nightmares ever since, but I did not go to mental health while enlisted. How can I get help?
     
    This gives members a starting point to ask clarifying questions like “Can you post the Reasons for Denial of your claim?”
     
    Note:
     
    • Your first posts on the board may be delayed before they appear as they are reviewed. This process does not take long.
    • Your first posts on the board may be delayed before they appear as they are reviewed. The review requirement will usually be removed by the 6th post. However, we reserve the right to keep anyone on moderator preview.
    • This process allows us to remove spam and other junk posts before hitting the board. We want to keep the focus on VA Claims, and this helps us do that.

  • Most Common VA Disabilities Claimed for Compensation:   

    tinnitus-005.pngptsd-005.pnglumbosacral-005.pngscars-005.pnglimitation-flexion-knee-005.pngdiabetes-005.pnglimitation-motion-ankle-005.pngparalysis-005.pngdegenerative-arthitis-spine-005.pngtbi-traumatic-brain-injury-005.png

  • VA Watchdog

  • Can a 100 percent Disabled Veteran Work and Earn an Income?

    employment 2.jpeg

    You’ve just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. One of the first questions that you might ask is this: It’s a legitimate question – rare is the Veteran that finds themselves sitting on the couch eating bon-bons … Continue reading



HadIt.com Changes Ownership
  • 0

Vietnam Vet Dying

mags1023

Asked by mags1023,

 Share

Question

mags1023 Proficient

mags1023

Posted
Posted

Hadit Brothers and Sisters, I have found out about a Vietnam era Vet who is dying from cancer in a VA hospital in Oklahoma. He is my wife's cousin and from what I know, he applied for compensation a long time ago and was denied. Not sure how hard he fought, but he eventually gave up. His family believes his cancer has something to do with his exposure to Agent Orange. I asked his brother in an email if he was actually in Vietnam and this was his reply:

That is one of the problems.His dd214 shows he was released from Thailand. That is where he was stationed but he worked in Vietnam building roads and runways. crossing the river in between the two. On his way over there were several port stops to let troops off. But since his orders showed Thailand they have denied his claim. What he can’t remember after all these years is the name of the troop carrier nor any of the guys that he was with. So there has to be a way of finding that out and where they stopped. Seems like no one cares or wants to take the time to help him find out. There are several people in the hosp. that Rodney is going to talk to about it but so far since he is not Ronnie they won’t talk to him. So he is going to go see a att. This morning to see that they can do or will do., its just a matter of a piece of paper but getting that might be hard.

Can anyone provide assistance. I am not a Vietnam era Vet so I don't have any experience with this. I have told his brother to look for a VSO in the area. Any assistance is appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Answers 10
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters For This Question

Popular Days

Top Posters For This Question

Popular Days

10 answers to this question

Recommended Posts



stillhere Veteran

stillhere

Posted
Posted

The type of cancer is a start as j says but does he remember what unit he was with? If he served in an engineer unit (that is what it sounds like to me) Then all his DD-214 needs to say is the unit then we can find what they did in Nam while based in Thailand and the time frame!

Surprised the VA or a VSO did not go the extra mile for him?

Find out the cancer type.

Find out the unit he served with.

Find out the times he served in country.

Then we can or you or he can google and find something.

This is not a hard thing to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Berta Grand Master

Berta

Posted
Posted

The list of AO cancers is in the AO forum or available under a search.

What was his MOS in Thailand ?

Certain Thailand MOSs during the Vietnam War put the veteran on or very near the perimeter of bases there- they sprayed all Thailand bases perimeters with AO.

He sounds like he was with Engineers.He needs copies his full service record.(SMRs and SRB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • HadIt.com Elder
LarryJ Grand Master

LarryJ

Posted
  • HadIt.com Elder
Posted

They did spray all base perimeters that I know of, in Thailand, with defoliants (AO).

I know that at Udorn the Air America facilities were HEAVILY sprayed....................................yup, sure were!:unsure:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rthomass Community Regular

rthomass

Posted
Posted

Hadit Brothers and Sisters, I have found out about a Vietnam era Vet who is dying from cancer in a VA hospital in Oklahoma. He is my wife's cousin and from what I know, he applied for compensation a long time ago and was denied. Not sure how hard he fought, but he eventually gave up. His family believes his cancer has something to do with his exposure to Agent Orange. I asked his brother in an email if he was actually in Vietnam and this was his reply:

That is one of the problems.His dd214 shows he was released from Thailand. That is where he was stationed but he worked in Vietnam building roads and runways. crossing the river in between the two. On his way over there were several port stops to let troops off. But since his orders showed Thailand they have denied his claim. What he can't remember after all these years is the name of the troop carrier nor any of the guys that he was with. So there has to be a way of finding that out and where they stopped. Seems like no one cares or wants to take the time to help him find out. There are several people in the hosp. that Rodney is going to talk to about it but so far since he is not Ronnie they won't talk to him. So he is going to go see a att. This morning to see that they can do or will do., its just a matter of a piece of paper but getting that might be hard.

Can anyone provide assistance. I am not a Vietnam era Vet so I don't have any experience with this. I have told his brother to look for a VSO in the area. Any assistance is appreciated.

I was stationed at Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, August 1969 thru August 1970. Diagnosed eith Non-Hodgkin'a lymphoma by VA in June 2003. September 27, 2010 (yep) years I recived an award for posure to AO. A classified report "CHECO report" was prepared1in 1973 by two USAF Officers on the defense assessment of all Thailand bases). The report bluntly stated that the usage of AO was utilized at every thaiand base. I went the Direct Service Connection route but if you were on a Thai Base at The perimeter you might have a good chance.

Randall D. Thomas Sr. 66190, MSGT,, USAF, RETRED

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Berta Grand Master

Berta

Posted
Posted

Our hadit member Kurt Priessman was the first AO Thailand veteran. He used CHECO and many ther dopcuments to prove his claim.

In our training letter forum is the VA's new C & P Bulletin as to how Thailand vet claims must be handled.

His extensive research on AO in Thailand prompted this VA bulletin to be issued and the BVA has referred direct to Kurt in 2 recent BVA decision.

All of his info is here and googable on the net.

At least 2 dozen or more Thailand vets have succeeded in their AO claims so far by utilizing his research.

If your MOS definitely put you on or Very near the perimeter of any Thailand base during the war, detail this information in yor claim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rthomass Community Regular

rthomass

Posted
Posted

Excellent advise Berta! I believe the VA wants to limit awards to those who walked the perimeter.....Air Force Security and Military Police Army. To allow this limitation is sad. Personally I am in posession of a document that Vetean Brian Leif sent me stating the need for Ranch Hand Peronnel in Vietnam to aerial spray the bomb dump due to the high foilage hiding land mines, cobra etc......... This particular base was Nakhon Phanom Air Force located in Northern Thailand across the Mehkong River from Laos. Any one needing this document should contact me. Certainly disproves VA's perimeter propoganda. How many lies, how many lies ................ Stationed there August 1969 until August 1970.

P.S. My AFSC (MOS) was 65190 Procurement supervisor for Purchasinf and Contracting. Certaininly never walked the perimeter but was at the perimeter on Construction projects....and when or how did the DOD of VA for that matter determine where the AO migrated from , Took forty years for Government to admit AO Thailand...PERHAPS It MIGRATED BY SURFACE OR GROUND WATER....that it was a secret plot perpetrated by the Viet Cong and they caught the AO droplets and carried it to the perimeter just to piss us off.

Truth is they got caught with their hand in Priessman's Checo Cookie Jar!

rthomass@insightbb.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rthomass Community Regular

rthomass

Posted
Posted (edited)

Our hadit member Kurt Priessman was the first AO Thailand veteran. He used CHECO and many ther dopcuments to prove his claim.

In our training letter forum is the VA's new C & P Bulletin as to how Thailand vet claims must be handled.

His extensive research on AO in Thailand prompted this VA bulletin to be issued and the BVA has referred direct to Kurt in 2 recent BVA decision.

All of his info is here and googable on the net.

At least 2 dozen or more Thailand vets have succeeded in their AO claims so far by utilizing his research.

If your MOS definitely put you on or Very near the perimeter of any Thailand base during the war, detail this information in yor claim.

Berta I attempted to use a 1999 award based on a Thailand Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.......He Worked at the base Gym near the perimeter. Perimeter awards for security guards only is again sad and ridiculas. I even found one AO Thailand Award was based solely on receipt of the Vietnam Service and Campaighn Medals!

Edited by rthomass (see edit history)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Answer this question...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to question listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use

  I accept