The Va Continues To Lie!

[retiredat44]

I sent this to my service officer to clear up some of the continuing lies, from the VA, in my claims:

I Steven *** have been trying to get this claim problem straightened out with the VA, since my first claims filed, since my first claims in the 1990's. There is either a misunderstanding, or the VA is a purposely refusing to acknowledge that I worked with and was sickened by all of the following chemicals on active duty.

Gasoline (Leaded), Jet-Fuel, Diesel Fuel, Trichloroethylene.

I worked as a Fuels Specialist, and worked with Gasoline (leaded), Jet-Fuel, Diesel Fuel daily. I was soaked in those chemicals daily. I was sickened by those chemicals, and the U.S.A.F. doctors determined they made me very sick. The command was notified, and I was removed from that job. I was placed in a new job, at a weather squadron, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. My duty had no chemical exposure. After a few weeks I was told to report to a new job. I was again working with petroleum chemicals (Trichloroethylene), which were used to clean printing presses. I again became very sick. I had no choice but to leave the U.S.A.F. because I had lost all jobs due to illnesses from chemicals. (5 years active duty).

When I claimed for V.A. disability, I told the VA it was for all of the chemicals. Every decision the V.A. denies, they only deny Jet-Fuel related claims. They always fail to discuss all of the chemicals which made me sick. I told the V.A. so many times, I cannot count the times. At the DRO hearing (San Diego), I told them over and over about all of the chemicals. I told the DRO hearing that the other fuels were also a part of my every day contact, and that I was soaked in them every day. I was soaked in them from filling fuel tanks, with open and closed nozzles, distributing fuels, testing fuels, leaky valves, and more. My clothing and skin were soaked every day on active duty with these chemicals.

I was then again soaked with Trichloroethylene from cleaning printing presses, the injuring continued from exposure (Repro-graphics specialist).

The headaches, the extremely swollen skin and limbs. So swollen, that my limbs were bleeding from the skin unable to expand further.

I want this part of the record. I have made printed and oral statements to correct the record with V.A. claims, but every attempt has been ignored.

Please, finally make this part of the record. Add it to or find the records, if my earlier statement were destroyed, ignored, whatever. I am pleading for this to be done honestly and correctly, as this misunderstanding is from no-fault of my own, I am not a lawyer, and have no idea how to make sure these omissions by the V.A. can be corrected by any others way, except to make again one more statement, among many, about this huge problem with my claim not handled properly.

[ArNG11]

Wish you luck man.  I'm stuck myself.  With two exposure routes I can't seem to find an attorney to go after this.  Fuel exposure from kc 135 fuel tanks as a fuels mechanic or exposure from the pits for a year in Bucca.    

The suit against KBR is still alive but that's been going on for a few years now.  At least it is at the jurisdictional hearing phase. Being part of the Class action law suit gives some peace of mind.

I hope you get some good news bubba. Keep us posted.  Take care.

 

[retiredat44]

My issues were they only recognized my JP-4 exposure not the leaded gasoline, diesel, and Trichloroethylene.. all of which were brought to the attention of USAF doctors when I was active duty and in my records. (that was were I am angry because they ignore evidence and lie) and the command and doctors pulled me out of my jobs because of severe reactions to chemicals. Yet, the claim all refused comments and constantly excluded all but the jet fuel. The BVA  judge knows about all of the chemicals and that I had a record of illness and hospitalization on active duty. So, he could see that the people who denied my claims ignored lots of evidence. ArNG11 , I hope You have the evidence,, it appears even with evidence they can deny it.

Edited June 1, 2016 by retiredat44

[ArNG11]

I had a couple of exposures to JP4, one was and Open Skies Recon KC 135, and the other was the tanker for an SR-71.  One had pods and still had the water injection system operable.  I have the evidence but not a medical opinion so I'm dead in the water. Seriously not even the paid IMO specialist want to touch this one.  Much worse than trying to find an attorney to fight for my 11 hand surgery federal workers comp claim.  I have evidence and 4 IMO's and still being denied, even at DC.  

I cannot conceive in my mind how this crap is allowed to go on.  It's blatant BS.  

I knew a guy at Tinker AFB, that had severe reactions to hydraulic fluid, red and purple stuff, they moved him out to a different section and he is under the impression that all is hunkie dory, for his sake I hope he doesn't come down with anything.  That is nasty stuff. As bad as Skydrol and 7808.  Cancer galore.  

[ArNG11]

They changed to jp8 back in the late eighties I believe.  I have to look it up, I serviced AGE equipment back then and we had JP4 running on the gas turbine generators as late as 93 that I can recall.

Edited June 2, 2016 by ArNG11
spelling

[ArNG11]

retireat44, heh, do you have your SMR's, in my civilian files the had the respirator fit tests, those also included the warnings about jet fuel.  You are still going to need and IMO though there is no way around that. If you find a doc that is willing to explore this let me know I'd love to talk with him.  

I'm waiting to see how the burn pits suit goes and really curious on the outcome.  However, I don't see much in success unless I have a doctor say the magic words.  Doesn't matter what studies and evidence you throw,  that nexus is one of THE most important parts to substantiate your claim and keep it alive.

[retiredat44]

I had an IMO  a few years ago,,, and it was included in files and NOD's. I paid out of my pocket. I had a very bad time finding a toxicologist, and also had just learned to walk and eat again after living in the hospital 6 months as a quadriplegic. Also I had several feet of records that the toxicologist MD doctors wanted $800, pus $600 per 1/2 inch of papers.

So that was extremely difficult with an all out search. I found one. And got it 1 year after I was able to get out on my own again.

 

This last BVA judge asked if I had been hospitalized on active duty for intestinal disease, and the answer was yes, and it was already in my records with al illnesses and hospitalizations.