I do not know if you can help me or not.

I was stationed in Tahkli RTAFB Thailand from December 1968 to 1969.

From time to time I would be sent into Vietnam under disposable Temporary Orders (TDY orders.) I was there but not there if captured, and was never there if asked..

Anyway, I have applied for consideration of agent orange compensation and reclassification of my disability for Myasthenia Gravis and Lymphatic cancer. After 190 days of waiting and since 1975 of applying, I was officially informed that They will not reconsider my disability payments or even recognize me as having any disabilities concerning agent orange agent white, blue or Malithonia.

My original classification was that of Air Craft electronics and electrical technician. I also was an augment guard and stood aside the base security police and several times in sand bag bunkers.

In a nut shell the agent orange caused my thymus gland to work improperly. I did not grow to the height I was suppose to be.

In 1992 The VA Hospital in Erie removed three tumors from off my left lung. They sent the tumors or parts of them to three labs two civilian and one military The civilian labs stated they were Hodgkin's Lymphatic and the military stated that they were caused by the Thymus gland.

In 1997 at Meadville Medical Center Meadville, Pa. they again removed four tumors off my left lung. the civilian labs all showed they were Hodgkin's Lymphatic.

The physician seen that the Thymus gland was not of normal size and removed it.

The removal of the Thymus gland is usually a treatment for getting rid of Myasthenia Gravis , but in this case it was the cause of it for me. I was told that the deformed Thymus caused the problems.

The government has denied me any compensation based on the fact they could not find the disappearing TDY Orders, and they stated that I was never exposed to agent orange, and the disappearing medical and lab records, that I sent to them, then could not find any records of any operations

I have contacted others (Agent Orange vets) who have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and the numbers are quiet large, and many have no compensation even though there are medical findings showing that AO effects the Auto-immune system which MG is a disorder of. .

Was Tahkli RTAFB Thailand hit with any herbicide. The areas around the base had lots of open brown areas around the perimeter.

I know you must have a thousand of these by now, I was stationed at U-tapoa Thailand in 1973 -74, Never did I see a mower mowing, but often at night a sprayer came through, most likely that was bug spray, but I wonder how many time they sprayed the ditches next to the barracks since all of U-tapoa was a marsh originally. I saw the pictures which doesn't do it justice. I was a bomb loader. But was injured and med evac'd out. I was flown out on a DC 9 all white with a big red cross. My paper work just says med evac. I landed in Ton sa nut and was allowed to get off for a cig. But when I FOIA'd the records the Air Force told me that they were non essential records (ie flight manifest and flight plan showing they landed in Viet Nam) There fore I can't prove even the Viet Nam connection. My Urologist at the VA has filed me for agent orange due to kidney damage, prostritis, ED, urinary track problems, of which the urinary problems I started having right after discharge (no pun intended) But the Seattle VA only keeps medical records for 10 years and purges them according to their answer to my FOIA. I also have weird skin rashes, severe depression, cardiovascular diesease, and they insist bi-polar,...... Anger problems, panic and axiety attacks, Hypertension, respiratory problems that I developed over their ( allergy test done in Thialand) And arthritis in about every joint. Headaches, migraines and neck pain as well as back pain that no one can find a reason for, same with my legs and knees. I started having stomach problems right after getting out, but there again the Spokane VA purge those records. I also seem to be getting a lot of benign tumors all over my body. Most of these things started within 5 years of getting out. My wife had a miscarriage and our only son now has to have heart surgery for Wolf Parkinson White syndrome at 26, something he has had since birth. That though he may have gotten from my father. But I have been deemed unemployable which pisses me off since I have two degrees and can't seem to keep a job since leaving the service in 74. Would like to know more about AO in Thialand. U-Tapoa to be exact. If I remember right we used to go to Sattaup to drink or get drunk a lot.

Advice:     file your disability claim under the law provisions provided for those in Vietnam, Title 38 U.S.C. Section 1116, for "presumptive exposure to herbicides" as your tour in Thailand was after the CHECO report period and therefore, does not specifically apply without judicial ruling, appeal.     Yes, of course, it is all bull shit -- we all know that herbicides were used on a regular basis at all military camps and bases in Thailand from the construction years of 1961-62 to the end of the war in 1975, but try to prove it!

re:   Thailand veterans file under Title 38 U.S.C. Section 1110, Direct cause for exposure to herbicides (in Thailand) with those diseases "presumptive" as allowed by the Board of Veterans Appeal Court.     See Direct Cause vs. Presumptive and Use of Herbicides in Thailand.

Note:   the research Craig did is to be expected, ie, no answers from his FOIA.

    Imagine, manifest for every Mac flight via Vietnam...     BTW, you do not have to set foot on the ground (yourself.)     Just the plane must have landed (on the ground.)     And, there is no minimum amount of time, eg, 24 hours, etc.     You could be there for one minute and under the "prsumptive" law provisions qualify for "visitation" to Vietnam.

Phil's claim was categorically denied under Section 1116 for "presumptive exposure" versus Thailand veteran status of "direct cause" and Section 1110.

Phil's medical condition is a form of Hodgkin's Disease and/or "exposure to herbicides diseases" associated with the (direct) exposure to herbicides while in Thailand.

Denial of V.A. Healthcare System Benefits under Priority Cat 8:   If you were like Phil and were denied medical care due to previous income level and you are currently either unemployed or employed below your potential level, you should immedicately apply for reinstate of your medical care rights and potential no-copayment provision for indigent veterans.     It is no time for pride when you need to stay healthy enough to fight the good fight with the agency intrusted with our benefits.

Medical Conditon Ratings:   It is never too early to research your specific medical conditions subject to service connection both primary and secondary (conditions) associated with each primary.     The V.A. is notorious as to losing the battle for enying you disability compensation and winning in short-changing your disability rating(s).     It is done all the time .. err, "administrative errors," of course.

See an medical evaluation form where airman David Adkison unwittingly deprived his rights to a higher disability rating for Type II Diabetes where a V.A. medical officer signed, acknowledging his "interview" rating form.

Become familiar with the Part 4 of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations in Title 38) for Rating Information, eg, 913 Diabetes.     For more details, visit the CFR Reference Guide;   also the USC Guide with background on the legislation.

Phil is now planning for a self-employed career as his medical health deteriation over the past three years makes it impracticle to seek employment elsewhere.

Phil is now planning his NOD and to find a pro-bono lawyer to represent him on appeal.

Like many of us, Phil had some questions he wanted (in writing) the V.A. to answer before they make their decision and they did not.

While speaking with Phil, I got the impression that Phil would be a good new set of eyes and hands in helping researh technical issues.

Phil's profile, eg, years at U-Tapao, AFSC, etc. for his profile will have to be added later .. I didn't take notes while we talked.

Of course, Phil now understands the up hill battle we each face, but face not alone.     The first major stumbling block is to understand that most VSOs (Phil has the VFW) are only familiar with Vietnam veterans' legal provisions under "presumptive" and not the more broad forms of "direct cause" and "aggravation."

Finding a pro-bono lawyer that is familiar with our special interests may not be practicle -- even a lawyer familiar with disability benefits as they apply to military veterans versus civilian injury law.

Phil wants to get up to speed on a lot of the material on my website before starting his legal search.     It is much easier to discuss the issues with a lawyer when you understand (better) the complicated issues yourself.     Again, I do not represent veterans, but I am always available by email or phone to discuss your concerns and as you see here, publish them.

Phil has already encountered the problem of finding TDY orders for some assignments he had in Udorn, etc. from U-Tapao (even though, they do not really matter in this case of "direct cause exposure.")

K-9 Cancer Survey Report:   Some of you either have direct ties with the security K-9s, eg, security police handlers, and others have read something about the cancer survey, ie, animal autopies performed on same, and the declassification of same (report) and the lack of distribution.     When we finally hung up, Phil said he had a contact for the report to contact and would get to the bottom of it for us.

As I learn more about Phil's profile, I will publish it here.

Posted:   Memorial Day, 2008

re:   Direct Cause vs. Presumptive (READ ME FIRST)

      Use of Herbicides in Thailand

      Excerpt Explicit Only

      UDM Project Salute and Thailand Vet David Adkison

      Legal Counsel

      Filing Your Claim   .. and, plan for denial...

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