In addition to being inapplicable, the Memorandum for the Record is outdated. Instead, the law mandated that a veteran show as a factual matter that they were as likely as not exposed to an herbicide agent like those used in Vietnam. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Aircraft mechanic George Collins testified in a sworn statement that he worked on a RANCH HAND aircraft after it made an emergency landing in U-Tapao. Health Care and Agent Orange Registry Health Exam: 1-877-222-8387 (Ask to speak to the Environmental Health Coordinator or Patient Care Advocate) Compensation and Other Benefits: 1 800 827-1000. Worked in Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service may be eligible for: Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected disability related to Agent Orange exposure. Are walking blood banks coming to a field hospital near you? Mr. Collins stated there were several defoliated areas within U-Tapao including around the Aero Space Ground Equipment (AGE) facility, the baseball fields, and the viewing area for the Bob Hope Christmas Show. After the attack on U-Tapao, the 635th Security Police Squadron used herbicides to clear a 100-foot zone on both sides of the perimeter fencing. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Command Sergeant Major Witkin stated that he personally observed Udorn-based grounds personnel often spraying herbicides, including Agent Orange, on the vegetation located in and around the barracks areas and on the base perimeter. He stated the personnel spraying around the barracks told him the herbicide was Agent Orange. After developing illnesses linked to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, Rhodes filed a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major. Hi, Just found this site. They sprayed our living areas with DDT, which was banned in the US. If your VA disability claim related to exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand has been denied, we may be able to help you. Likewise, if a veteran were then diagnosed with certain diseases, the government would concede that the disease was related to the exposure. She has also spent several years working with the Department of Veterans Affairs audiology programs in Salt Lake City, UT and Pocatello, ID. While there is a proposed legislative fix, Rhodesand his fellow veterans who served in Thailand and suffer from Agent Orange-related illnesses arecontinuing to press Congress to take action to update the presumption policy through the orange envelope letter-writing campaign. Although he worked on the detail for 10 days, he stated that the detail continued for the rest of his time there. "VA depends on DoD to provide information regarding in-service environmental exposure for disability claims based on exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam.". In James Trapps affidavit, he stated that during his assignment in Takhlis warehouse, he saw barrels labeled 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D. Additionally, he stated the barrels had white destination labels signifying they were for the 315th A/C Sq. Historical Air Force documents from the 315th Air Division verify that 28,000 gallons (approximately 509 barrels) of Agents Orange and Blue were airlifted from Phu Cat, Vietnam, to Udorn in February 1969. 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According to Prichard, locations were selected or deleted based on criteria including the existence of an official record, to include government reports, forms, unit histories, shipping logs, contracts, scientific reports or photographs. But historical documentation shows no evidence that the military made any distinction between commercial and tactical herbicides at the time of the Vietnam War. In such a strict application, VA arbitrarily ignored its own policy of conceding herbicide exposure for veterans who served near the perimeter. A bipartisan bill introduced Thursday would allow Vietnam veterans who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War to qualify for disability benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. Gretchen Whitmer Copyright 2023 Military.com. I am hopeful that we can build on this momentum to ensure all of our veterans who were called to serve get the care they have earned. Mr. George Collins was assigned to the Aero Space Ground Equipment (AGE) unit in U-Tapao for seven months beginning in 1969 and ending in 1970. The VA currently awards service-connected benefits for exposure to Agent Orange to veterans whose duties placed them on or near the perimeters of Thai military bases from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices The Memorandum for the Record, which VA often cites in these cases, is outdated, contains erroneous and misleading statements, and was never intended for perimeter policy cases. specifically: 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T and its contaminant TCDD; cacodylic acid; and picloram. (Emphasis added.) During the detail, he used defoliants that were contained in 55-gallon drums with orange stripes. Ten of them cluster around one of the three air bases that became the most contaminate with dioxin: Da Nang, Phu Cat and Bien Hoa. Lets reauthorize PEPFAR now, Stakeholder Voices Important to Farm Bill Process, Boozman Continues Leadership to Combat Arkansas Physician Shortage. kms.) Fast Letter 09-20 states in part: The stay affected a large number of veteran claimants with service in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Leaking barrels also directly exposed service members to herbicides. Sometimes it takes an act of Congress to modernize benefits like in the case with the Blue Water Navy legislation. Annual training was conducted on Takhli from March 17 to 21, 1969, and July 13 to 16, 1970, with representatives from all Thailand bases. In turn, this supports veterans statements regarding the use of herbicide to clear bases in Thailand during this period. The Challenge I was there all the time. Eligibility for health care The VA is warning veterans to avoid PACT Act fraud and to be wary of third parties such as non-VA-accredited law firms Rep. Mike Bost said he sees no signs that the VA is being overwhelmed, noting that the law also gave the department the Command Sgt. The letter addresses the scientific shortcomings and erroneous assumptions of VAs position by noting, skin absorption is a primary occupational route of exposure for dioxin-contaminated pesticides.. By Telephone. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. The distance between base perimeters and other base activities was normally well below 500 meters. The Department of Veterans Affairs lists these conditions as presumptive. Rhodes and his fellow veterans who served in Thailand and suffer from Agent Orange-related illnesses are continuing to press Congress to take action to update the presumption policy through the orange envelope letter-writing . These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Although VA recognizes there was significant use of herbicides at numerous Thailand military bases, it only recently granted Thailand veterans the presumption of exposure afforded to Vietnam veterans. Is there any ruling from the VA on Nam Phong? This is HUGE NEWS for thousands of Vietnam vets who were stationed outside of Vietnam but were still toxic-exposed to Agent Orange. Years Later, Some Are Saddled With Debt. where they were, and that ' someone else ' said: "Welcome to the Rose Garden" I'm sure this happened more than once! They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. It is just simply wrong. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. I am investigating as to whether or not I may have been exposed to Agent Orange and if so what should I do. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Watch below for our full discussion into the latest update of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. The color distortion caused by leaking barrels containing herbicides is noted in pictures of herbicides stored on Johnston Atoll. While we still have our home base in Florida, TDD (for hearing impaired): 1 800 827-4833. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. If a veteran served in an area other than Vietnam, such as Thailand or Korea, but was nonetheless exposed to the same herbicide agent as used in Vietnam, then they were to be awarded the same benefits as would a Vietnam veteran for the diseases associated with such exposure. If you filed a claim for one of these conditions in the past, the VA will automatically review your case to see if youre now eligible. Although the SOP is not available or remains classified, the development and enforcement of the SOP highlights the prevalence of herbicide use and the concern of misuse on Thailand bases. Several veterans statements also indicate herbicides were used within the perimeters of the bases. I was stationed at cck in the usaf Taiwan and went tdy to nam phong tailand. Until 2009, VA made no distinction between commercial and tactical herbicides. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 She enjoys working with the Veteran population and keeping them up to date with information they need the most. In view of the above, a mowing operation for vegetation control will be impossible. Both Vietnam and Thailand were engagement zones for deployed military personnel, and both countries had similar Rules of Engagement (Rules). I have no genetic background history in my family of this issue. In October 2020, the VA denied Xenia resident and Thailand veteran Paul Skinner compensation for what Skinner believed was Agent Orange exposure, with the VA informing Skinner in a letter: "Your personnel records still fail to show that during your duties you were exposed to Agent Orange or tactical herbicides while performing daily duty Furthermore, the Memorandum for the Record contains erroneous and misleading statements. More specifically, herbicides were used to improve visual observation of the base perimeter. Thailand veteran Wayne Hogstad was stationed at NKP from April 1967 to April 1968 and was assigned to the police squadron. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 For instance, which pages you go to most. Now, veterans who served at any U.S. or Thai base from January 9, 1962 to June 30 1976, without regard to the Veterans MOS or where on base they were located, are eligible for presumptive service connection. A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide. Due to the density and high growth rate of tropical vegetation in Thailand, the military used herbicides because mowing was seen as labor intensive and ineffective. I also have many illnesses and have a claim in for Parkinson etc. Gallons of Herbicides Sprayed. But the list, published Jan. 27 by the Department of Veterans Affairs, omits more than 40 locations previously noted as exposure sites by DoD in 2018 deletions that could undermine other veterans pending claims. His statement aligns with the CHECO report, which notes that heavy use of herbicides kept the growth under control in the fenced areas. Moreover, Mr. Hogstads statement correlates with a historical record showing a request dated October 11, 1967, sought six C-123 herbicide aircraft and 60 personnel to operate from [NKP] for a 15-day period.. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. 3.307(a)(6)(i). In its original conception, the Memorandum for the Record was never intended to apply to all Thailand exposure claims. We owe you more than you are getting. These services include an Agent Orange Registry health exam and clinical treatment at VA's War Related Illness and Injury Study Center. Our message to VA would be that they should grant benefits if a veteran has any evidence demonstrating that the spraying may have occurred, and that would be if there is an old list where DoD confirmed that there was storage or spraying, Gallucci said. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. And while the new list contains six locations in Thailand, it adds a new clarification to those locations descriptions: No herbicide was sprayed in Thailand.. When Congress enacted this law, it stated that the term herbicide agent means a chemical in an herbicide used in support of the United States and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962 and ending on May 7, 1975. 38 U.S.C. The Department of Defense has released a new list of locations outside Vietnam where herbicides like Agent Orange were tested and stored, a compilation that could provide some veterans proof. Disabled Veterans Sign up for a Career Change. The Department of Defense has released a new list of locations outside Vietnam where herbicides like Agent Orange were tested and stored, a compilation that could provide some veterans proof of exposure needed to support their VA disability claims. VA has constructed an arbitrary distinction between tactical and commercial herbicides. The M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual was later amended to incorporate the perimeter policy, but the Memorandum was never corrected, amended, or removed from the Manual and VA continues to apply the outdated Memorandum to Thailand base perimeter claims. Given no more credit than those who lived stateside during same time . The author of a 1982 article published in the Journal of Legal Medicine, titled Agent Orange: Government Responsibility for Military Use of Phenoxy Herbicides, states that [e]very American who served in Southeast Asia was potentially exposed to Agent Orange, as the herbicide was used to clear areas before construction and to defoliate compound perimeters, landing zones, and fires bases. For support, the author cites to an appendix to the 1979 hearing on Senate Bills 741 and 196. On Korat, for example, the physical training area and Non-Commissioned Officer building were located within the drift zone, and living quarters were only meters away from the perimeter. The article Viet Cong Right or Wrong, published in the National Guardsman in 1966, notes the Defense Departments Advance Research Project Agency was moving forward with defoliant improvement projects in Thailand. However, at that time, if the veteran did not serve in Vietnam, VA regulations provided no presumption of exposure for that veteran. These cookies do not store any personal information. Trump appeared to confuse napalm with Agent Orange and he reportedly got the idea from an iconic movie set in the Vietnam War David Choi 2018-08-17T23:51:55Z It's been called "the worst base in Thailand, but the best base we had in Vietnam." It was the home of the 56th Air Commando Wing, renamed in 1968 the 56th Special Operations Wing. The term commercial in reference to herbicides is equally absent from VAs internal policies and procedures and from federal statutes and regulations. On Thursday, Pennsylvania Reps. Matt Cartwright (D) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R) introduced new legislation to expand the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for disability benefits to. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 Those who had served at one of the military bases in Thailand listed in the below URL and the locations at those bases identified, and experiencing any of the ailments considered possibly caused by Agent Orange (including prostate cancer) may now be eligible for VA treatment and compensation. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Leakage from empty herbicide barrels was also noted because it was difficult to drain the last two or three gallons. Yet VAs past policy application eliminated even these veterans from receiving benefits based on their exposure to herbicide agents. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. VA representatives said the Department of Defense has provided updated information about Agent Orange use in new areas. The name came. The district is located along Mittraphap Road (Thailand Route 2) and the Northeastern Railway. 404 of the Honoring Our PACT Act (the short name being, Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act) which lists two additional diseases that can be service connected. Technical Sergeant William L. Easterly stated that RANCH HAND crew would use Agent Orange around their personnel area because they were not aware of the herbicides harmful effects. The bill provides expanded Agent Orange presumptive locations for those dealing with herbicide exposure: If you served in these areas, during these dates, the VA will now assume (or presume) that a Vietnam veteran was exposed to Agent Orange. . National Archives records reveal that herbicides were transported from Vietnam to Takhli on April 7, 1973. Photographs of Ubons perimeter demonstrate it was pushed back and that there was a lack of foliage between the old and new perimeter. Before the PACT Act was enacted on August 10, 2022, VAs application of its Thailand perimeter policy only conceded exposure for service members with a security-related military occupational specialty (MOS), such as military police, who conducted foot patrols at the perimeter. Yunnan-Hochland: Gebirgslandschaft im Norden, wo Vietnam an China grenzt und sein hchster Berg Phan-xi-png (3144 m) liegt. VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicides is therefore misguided, arbitrary, and contrary to law. So that takes care of the event and service. The DoD list is instrumental in helping support many of these veterans claims. As stated above, prior to the passage of the PACT Act, veterans could only be eligible for presumptive service connection if they served near the perimeter of specific bases. We started receiving equipment from Danang. We theen went to Bien Hoa for fefueling and and other things. On the herbicide school application, the listed purpose of the training was to train and certify Thailand based personnel who will be handling herbicides for chemical vegetation control and train personnel on the use, application, dangers and safe handling of herbicides.. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Children who have certain birth defects and are biological children of Vietnam-era veterans may be eligible for VA compensation, healthcare and vocational training. Surviving spouses agent orange widows, dependent children and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service and died as the result of the diseases related to exposure may be eligible for healthcare, compensation, education and home loan benefits. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 The stories vary on pretty much the same theme: ' someone ' (officer, etc.) The military used herbicides to clear foliage from the jungles and base camps of Vietnam. close air support, aerial defoliation with Agent Orange, and nightly gunship truck hunts on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This article may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. The attorneys at Hill & Ponton are here to support you in your claim and determining your agent orange disability percentage. Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service may be eligible for: Agent Orange Registry health exam, a free exam for possible long-term health problems related to herbicide exposure. Further, in a 1986 transcript of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee Agent Orange panel, the committee noted that the potential of exposure at base camps would appear to be considerable because of the regularity of spraying. Moreover, the subcommittee determined that levels of exposure are likely higher from exposure in the camps than from Ranch [H]and spraying.. He recognized in a draft report that the number of military personnel exposed is unknown because most military bases had vehicle-mounted and back-spray units available for use in routine vegetation control. Dr. Youngs documents indicate that herbicides, including Agent Orange and its counterparts, were used for routine vegetation control programs. I have also been denied compensation for herbicide exposure and am awaiting a hearing. When addressing the adequacy of facility security, official documents state that herbicides were applied to the fenced in area around the ammo storage, facility, around all perimeter guard towers, and the areas around runway overrun lights. The 1973 CHECO report also states that herbicides were used on areas within the perimeter. (Emphasis added.) Welch,Mike Sec. arrived at Nam Phong, asked 'someone else ' (PVT, PFC, etc.) (Agent Orange didn't appear orange, though it looked like that to Pilsch.) Agent Orange exposure is associated with a number of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Please contact me me via email at philamdia@yahoo.com. The Department of Defense had legitimate concerns about the threat to U.S. personnel and equipment, which led to the decision to use herbicides within base perimeters as a means of preventing ambushes in Thailand.6. consider passing this info on to them. Gymnastics will be held on May 6-9 at the Olympic Stadium Centre's Marquee Tent in Phnom Penh. I have had 3 stints placed in my heart for ischemic heart dz, peripheral neurapathy, and high BP. L still remember the smell of the spaying of defoliant while we were living in our hardback tents.I too have skin and prostate cancer and both are malignant. Mr. Chancellor reported, [c]hemicals were stored in containers with orange stripes and we mixed the chemical with diesel fuel and loaded the mixture into a large tank mounted trailer that was pulled by an air compressor truck to spray the materials. This coincides with an historical document dated December 1968 that provided an update on NKPs fence and perimeter security and stated grubbing [removal of trees and shrups] is complete for the southeast corner of the base and west perimeter, and approximately 50% complete for the north perimeter. Hence, evidence suggests that airmen conducting construction around the perimeter were exposed to herbicides. These days, there are fewer and fewer letters delivered to the Capitol by the U.S. Regarding base defense, the survey stated: A continuing vegetation control program is required for cleared areas under and between perimeter security fences. I was one of the first to arrive. Stephen Pippenger, a dog handler stationed at Udorn from September 1968 to October 1969, stated that he observed Agent Orange being loaded onto the C-123 aircraft. The latest additions to the Agent Orange presumptive list comes from Sec. Fast Letter 09-20 dealt exclusively with Haas-related claims from Thailand veterans that had been stayed. I have been dealing with this for years now with Tricare and Medicare and I think it is time to see what I can do with the VA.Thank you for helping me brothers and letting me that I am not alone. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used to defoliate the thick jungle in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Buddy statements from anyone who served with Special Forces at Nam Phong would be helpful. that he served as a C-130 pilot with a Marine Air Squadron and was temporarily stationed in Nam Phong, Thailand in . In approximately September 1958, 2,4,5-T was adopted for use by the government under Specification O-H-210 and Federal Stock Number (FSN) 6840-577-4201 for a 55-gallon drum, and then later under FSN 6840-616-9159 for a five-gallon can. I have photographs which I took of the area which demonstrate the extensive defoliation of the area. He also noted in his sworn statement that the barrels were leaking all the time and the herbicide got all over his uniform and hands. The VA is looking at that data now to determine if changes should be made. 196, Congress considered perimeter spraying. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. The team at Hill & Ponton may be able to assist you with a denial of benefits. However, per the 1971 CHECO Report, only 7,000 gallons of this herbicide, mostly Agent Orange, were dispensed in Laos. The similarities between base defense in Vietnam and Thailand were highlighted in the 1969 CHECO Report titled 7AF Local Base Defense Operations: July 1965 December 1968. This report provides a general analysis of Air Force base operations. Yeah from what I have read and through diagrams I have obtained (google Agent Orange Korat Thailand) they did spray the perimeter of the base I was also there from 73-74 I was a 462 Weapons Mechanic at the perimeter every day. As noted in a 1986 report to the White House, only two percent of military records were preserved in the National Archives, and herbicide records were not regarded as a priority for retention. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicides has no basis in federal statutes or regulations. I served with MAG 15 H&MS 15 in Nam Phong, Thailand Feb Sep 1973. Nam Phong Thailand. Moreover, VAs previous position that herbicides were only used along the perimeters is contradicted by documented evidence and sworn statements. 7 Things Every Veteran Should Know About Agent Orange Video. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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