treysnonna Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 What are your symptoms. My hubby just got out of hospital recently, with pulmonary embolism. The doc wanted to send hi. Home on oxygen, but something about if it was at 90 they would not pay for it, maybe I should have mentioned that they call va to see if they would have covered it. But he has been doing good. He is on blood thinner. But he was on a Destroyer to. One was the Shelton, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack13 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) Hi treysonna, First. let me apologize for the long time to reply. I don't get on here very often. My external symptoms are dyspnea (shortness of breath on exertion,) a dry cough, and a slight chest pain. My internal symptoms seen on a CXR or a CT are: Pleural thickening in the right upper lung zones, Peripheral honey combing, bilateral small opacities, bilateral chest wall pleural plaques, and diffuse bilateral pleural thickening. I was on 3 different ships in the Navy. Two of the ships went through a "yard period" while I was on board. Total time spent in the shipyards on both ships is about 11 - 12 months. Shipyards are literally loaded with asbestos fibers due to the constant tear down of boilers and piping while the ships are in there. I was also an FTG at the time, which the VA considers a "high probability" for asbestos exposure. Also, there is and never has been anything in my service medical records about lung problems caused by asbestos exposure. The latency period for problems of asbestos exposure to show up is 10 to 45 years. My yard periods on those 2 ships was 3 - 4 months in 1972, and 7 - 8 months in 1973 - 1974. I can assure you that there is NO mention in my service record that says anything about being on any ship, in any shipyard EVER. With all of that being said, my immediate supervisor and the CO from my first ship, both wrote very strong letters (affidavits) on my behalf concerning the asbestos insulation that was removed ( dust every where) and replaced during that particular yard period. As you might think, the evidence of asbestos exposure with all of that information now becomes very probable in the eyes of the VA. Since even a layman may testify to his where abouts in service, that evidence can be and was used to prove exposure to asbestos. The other side of the coin is to have a diagnosis of an asbestos related or caused disease, and then being also able to verify your pre and post employment did not involve exposure to asbestos in any other job. Must have done OK. My NOD has gotten me service connected for emphysema and for diffuse interstitial fibrosis (asbestosis.). I have not received my rating letter as of yet. My 42 month wait on the VA seems now to be nearly over. If your husband wants to pursue the abestos battle, it is just about an up hill fight with the VA. Once he starts the fight, don't ever give up.... NEVER. good luck and may God bless, mack Edited January 25, 2019 by mack13 wording Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berta Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) This is Great News Mack 13. !!!!! Do you feel you might be eligible for inclusion into the Mesothelioma Class Action law suits advertised on TV? Herre is my search on that- lots of stuff there: https://www.google.com/search?q=Mesothelioma+lawsuit&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS695US695&oq=Mesothelioma+lawsuit+&aqs=chrome..69i57.12390j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 I added 'veterans' to my search and got more: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS695US695&ei=HG1LXPKXEMOMtgWC9bCoDg&q=Mesothelioma+lawsuit+veterans&oq=Mesothelioma+lawsuit+veterans&gs_l=psy-ab.12...113079.117869..120087...1.0..1.2026.9173.6-2j0j3j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j33i160.-3a9HFHzt_k Edited January 25, 2019 by Berta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack13 Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Hi Berta, Thanks for the info on the lawsuit. I have, in fact, been a part of one since 2016. It isn't one that's on TV though. My attorney is local and was recommended by my son. My son handles cases for coal miners with lung diseases as well as Social Security issues for anyone needing help. Thankfully, I have not developed Mesothelioma. That is the disease that the TV lawyers want to use because it pays out some really big bucks for their unfortunate clients. thanks, and take care, mack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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