Vietnam Vet Dying

[mags1023]

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.

[rthomass]

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

[Berta]

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.

[rthomass]

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

[rthomass]

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 January 2, 2011 by rthomass