tdiu Need Advice - Jp4 And Benzene Exposure?

[x020574]

I do have a Story and then a Question:

Story part:
I recently learned I have a illness with called Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)it is a rare disease in which red blood cells break down earlier than normal. I have read that benzene can cause these types of symptoms. I was a Jet Engine Mechanic from 1970-74 so I had 4 yrs of exposure to this stuff - but can it rear it's ugly head 40 years later? We use to use a cleaning solution (I don't recall the name but it was P-something). We used it in-shop to clean grease and carbon from internal engine parts. Being young and stupid, we used to joke about how it gave us a buzz.

Also a concern was my extensive exposure to jet engine JP4 fumes. When in -shop maintenance was performed (we actually took J75 Pratt-Whitney engines apart, inspected and rebuilt) There were days when one would get drench with JP4 when underneath and dropping a fuel pump. My fatigues and boots reeked of JP4 no matter how many times I washed them.

Question part:
I was 90% scheduler and recently got TDIU 100%. I would consider putting in a claim for this if I thought it would fly... what do you think my chances would be? It's not about the money, it's more I'm concerned about what I can provide for my wife if I were to pass on as a result of one of my illness. I used to think it will be the IHD that will take me someday and that I am SC for, but now PNH can get nasty fast and that I am not SC for.

71M10 - thank you for the advice!

Edited February 11, 2014 by x020574

[ArNG11]

Yes Berta absolutely right. You will get no where without an IMO. Trust me I know. Even though my ITP claim is with the DOL, the Air Force and DOL stance is that I was not exposed to hazardous chemicals as a tank rat aircraft mechanic and even though there are verified studies that correlate the effects of jet fuel to auto immune diseases you have to have a doc make the nexus and state that the jet fuel caused the disease. and the fact that I have been a jet fuel mechanic since working at the Air Force base makes no difference. With DOL there is no at least as likely as.

[RandyM]

My name is Randy.  Much of the info above refers to my claim, which was denied.  I have PNH, I used PD680.  The VA denied my disability claim.  It has been years ago.  What can I do now?

[pwrslm]

I just got done helping with a claim for a VN Vet who died from CMML-1 (Lukemia).

This is the letter that his Oncologist gave us. We submitted the claim 6 days before his death, fought with the VA because they cant follow their own rules/regulations as usual. We won and the widow was awarded DIC last month. I found out that benzine can cause lukemia, and the VBA had approved some 12 cases in the past several years for this based on the benzine exposure. Asked the Oncologist to help, and she was  happy to provide this letter free of charge for the Vet. once I explained to her all about the exposure. This Vet was emptying leaking 55 gallon drums of AO into good containers on the ground in VN when he got there. Lay testimony and his Bronze Star did the rest.

letter follows:

 

RE: 
To Whom It May Concern: 
Mr.xxxxxx is a xx-year-old gentleman with a diagnosis of MDS/MPN overlap i.e. CMML-1 since July 2016. Unfortunately patient had disease progression despite chemotherapy and is currently on hospice program. 

I was asked to render independent opinion regarding the relationship of his Agent Orange exposure and the development of CMML-1. Upon my review of the literature, we know that Agent Orange and hydrocarbon exposure can contribute to hematological malignancy development due to DNA damage. Patient does not have other high-risk features such as family history of hematological malignancy or prior chemotherapy or radiation; therefore, in my opinion, his CMML-1 is more likely than not to be related to his prior Agent Orange exposure. 

Should you have any questions regarding his on logical care, please feel free to contact me directly. 
Sincerely,

Edited March 18, 2018 by pwrslm

[Berta]

That IMO is a beauty, short but to the point-clear medical rationale, no other etiology and the proper wording - 'as likely as not" and done by an expert in the filed of oncology.

You did a Wonderful job!

Thanks for mentioning those BVA awards.

I have posted over the years MANY BVA decisions here that can help vets understand what the VA needs and why the claim is denied at VA or awarded.

Unfortunately many vets do not even take the time to read the decisions I find that hold info that their claim might benefit from.

And Thanks for letting us know of this award!

 

Edited March 18, 2018 by Berta

[Buck52]

I agree with Ms berta

I do think when a veteran as a sharp IMO in detail and short to the point  is a lot better on the raters/judges to make a decision and not need to read a bunch of unnecessary jargon that don't really make the connection as to what the VA is looking for. 

Also to use a specialist in the field of medicine  your claiming is a smart thing.