Public Law 116-23, the. What Benefits Do I Get From Agent Orange Exposure? Improving Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange During Service The threats toward Air Force bases were legitimate and a serious concern for military units stationed in Thailand. According to DoD spokesman Chuck Prichard, the new list replaces the one from 2018 and is the result of DoDs thorough review of the records for use, storage and testing of Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides outside of Vietnam.. 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 This coincides with an historical document dated December 1968 that provided an update on NKPs fence and perimeter security and stated grubbing [removal of trees and shrups] is complete for the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. . Many of us were exposed to herbicides which were used extensively all over the site. This matches documentation indicating herbicide use at and after that time. Copyright 1999-2021 Malecare, Inc | All Rights Reserved, Important Agent Orange Information for Those Who Served in Thailand. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. However, per the 1971 CHECO Report, only 7,000 gallons of this herbicide, mostly Agent Orange, were dispensed in Laos. It is just simply wrong. Total Area Sprayed (sq. I understand you have to get the doctor to enter in your records that the problem could be related to herbicide or better agent orange contact. close air support, aerial defoliation with Agent Orange, and nightly gunship truck hunts on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 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. I am investigating as to whether or not I may have been exposed to Agent Orange and if so what should I do. The district office and the train station are about 7 km east of the main settlement, Ban Nam Phong. The Challenge This coincides with documentation demonstrating that Major George Norwood addressed the need for strong vegetation control and that the Base Civil Engineers had been requested specifically for vegetation control on Udorn in 1971. The legal framework of the Vietnam presumptions, The military used the same herbicides in Thailand that were used in Vietnam, The Rules of Engagement for Vietnam and Thailand were similar, Thailands strong connection to Operation RANCH HAND demonstrates that its bases received a steady supply of herbicides, The historical record reveals substantial herbicide use on bases in Thailand, The Air Force developed a standard for herbicide use on Thailand bases, VA should presume exposure to herbicide agents for all Thailand veterans, Thailand veterans were exposed to the same agents as Vietnam veterans, In Thailand cases, VA faces the same challenges of determining exposure details as with Vietnam veterans, VAs illusory distinction between commercial and tactical herbicides is unlawful and arbitrary, PACT Act establishes presumptive service connection for Thailand veterans, 2022 Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, CCK Court Wins: Agent Orange & Gulf War Illness. kms.) These days, there are fewer and fewer letters delivered to the Capitol by the U.S. Click here to sign up. 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. 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. I served in the Rose Garden in 1972 and suffer with Prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, onset diabetes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicides has no basis in federal statutes or regulations. Agent Orange Compensation Back Pay: Does the VA Owe You? 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.. Are Vietnam Veterans the Only Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange? 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. The government made no distinction between these herbicides in the 1970s and 1980s either. Elem. 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. 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 . I was part of the mobile construction battalion 5 (mcb 5) seabees that built the rose garden. I was in Nam Phong with Army Special Forces from January 1972 through May 1972. 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. Annual training was conducted on Takhli from March 17 to 21, 1969, and July 13 to 16, 1970, with representatives from all Thailand bases. Agent Orange is just one of the rainbow herbicides that the United States used. National Archive records also reveal that herbicide missions launched from Thailand on July 6, 1966, August 29, 1966, December 15, 1967, June 7, 1967, April 18, 1969, and March 25, 1970. The new toxic exposure bill/Agent Orange Act ( Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 ) broadens presumptions for Agent Orange exposure in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll! The name came. I served in The Rose Garden from April,1973 till October,1973. As a result, a conscientiously controlled program of vegetation control through the use of herbicides must be applied. Gretchen Whitmer Copyright 2023 Military.com. 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. This shows a robust relationship between the 315th Air Division and the movement of herbicides. VA clearly cannot support its long-held position that routine base maintenance activities were only performed by use of commercial herbicides that could not satisfy the 3.307 requirements. The Rules provided authorization for, and limits on, the employment of herbicides throughout the Southeast Asian conflict. In the 1968 Contemporary Historical Examination of Current Operation (CHECO) Project Southeast Asia Report: Attack on Udorn, the Air Force recognized that Thailand was a prime target of Communist expansion, and the interest of the Communists was intensified by the USAF presence. The report also noted that there were an estimated 15,500 Communist insurgents and sympathizers in Thailand. Vietnam veterans and those who served in certain other locations (such as Thailand or the Korean Demilitarized Zone) and were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides may be eligible for 3 kinds of benefits. Ive heard that Agent Orange wasnt used there and Ive heard that it was. He, too, stated that the barrels often leaked. Have Questions About Agent Orange Benefits? That was the idea behind a campaign initiated by Mena, Arkansas veteran Bill Rhodes and his fellow veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He stated, back at our base, we would get buckets of Agent Orange and fill pump fire extinguishers with AO [Agent Orange] so we could spray around our local area.. However, at that time, if the veteran did not serve in Vietnam, VA regulations provided no presumption of exposure for that veteran. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. you viewed to avoid repetition. Health Care for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange VA offers health care benefits for Veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Health Care for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange - Public Health RANCH HAND was also not prohibited from herbicide spray missions in Thailand. 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. where they were, and that ' someone else ' said: "Welcome to the Rose Garden" I'm sure this happened more than once! From start to finish. 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. Soldiers lived, worked, and conducted recreational activities near the perimeter and in areas well within the 500-meter drift zone. This restriction arbitrarily disqualifies veterans who may otherwise be able to prove their exposure, regardless of their assigned duties during their time stationed in Thailand. You and your brothers should not have to fight this battle. 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. Thailand veteran Wayne Hogstad was stationed at NKP from April 1967 to April 1968 and was assigned to the police squadron. We owe you more than you are getting. However, as of the passage of the 2022 Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on August 10, 2022, VA has officially established a Thailand presumption for veterans. Veterans who served on the ground in Vietnam, on inland waterways or certain Navy ships engaged in combat operations and who have one or more illnesses thought to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange and other defoliants have presumptive status for disability benefits, meaning they only have to prove that they served in the theater to receive health care and compensation. Leakage from empty herbicide barrels was also noted because it was difficult to drain the last two or three gallons. The VA offers health registry exams, health care, disability compensation and other benefits to eligible veterans affected by Agent Orange toxic exposure. The color distortion caused by leaking barrels containing herbicides is noted in pictures of herbicides stored on Johnston Atoll. For veterans like Rhodes who served in Nam Phong, Thailand, this is a policy they are calling on Congress to change. I was one of the first to arrive. "Agent Orange" refers to a blend of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed in the jungles of Vietnam and around the Korean. I will have to get a rep to speak for me. As a part-time VA employee, Dr. Dahl conducts about 4 Agent Orange Registry exams per week, and 15-16 Agent Orange Registry exams per month. Nam Phong has been a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) communications center. Leaking barrels also directly exposed service members to herbicides. Postal Service. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. "I'm spending out of pocket . But one who stepped off an aircraft for 10 seconds gets boot on the ground. Thats why I introduced legislation to eliminate existing barriers to benefits for veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. I am currently 60%. Veterans who meet the following criteria are eligible for Agent Orange disability benefits and disability compensation: A medical record of having been diagnosed with an Agent Orange-related illness or condition, AND any of the following: Certain Vietnam veteran who operated from Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases near U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the airbase perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may qualify. 7 Things Every Veteran Should Know About Agent Orange Video. The Memorandum was an attachment to FL 09-20 which was aimed at assisting Regional Offices in completing the adjudication of the stayed Haas-related claims. For veterans like Rhodes who served in Nam Phong, Thailand, this is a policy they are calling on Congress to change. Thailand was a staging area for aircraft missions over Vietnam, and many veterans who assisted with these missions received the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for their support of the war effort. The attorneys at Hill & Ponton are here to support you in your claim and determining your agent orange disability percentage. If your VA disability claim related to exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand has been denied, we may be able to help you. 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. I spent 2 months there and handled equipment that arrived from NAM. 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. 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The training is an indicator that Air Force leadership took a cohesive approach regarding the application of herbicides on Thailand bases. Similar to the Air Force unit histories in Thailand, the 1979 hearing noted that herbicides were used around bases in order to maintain base security. age 60 but have had most of these for years, Terry Good luck and take care of yourself. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? Because of the impossibility of determining which service members were exposed to what levels of toxicity, Congress decided that veterans who served in Vietnam would be presumed exposed to the harmful herbicides. Exposure to these herbicides was later determined to pose a health risk to service members. BBC News, Da Nang, Vietnam. This is such a flagrant disgrace to those who served in nam phong. 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. Rick, I have photographs which I took of the area which demonstrate the extensive defoliation of the area. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request, VA Releases Updated List of Agent Orange Exposure Locations, Survivors of Vets Who Died from PACT Act Illnesses Can Reapply for Benefits, Health Care Enrollment Up 17% at VA Since Passage of Toxic Exposure Law, VA Warns Against PACT Act Fraud Targeting Veterans, Making Sure Vets Get PACT Act Benefits Is New House Veterans Affairs Chairman's Top Priority, 1st Woman to Take Top Enlisted Job at Army Special Ops, Some Private Companies Charge Hefty Fees to Help Veterans With Disability Claims, 'I Let Down the Combatant Commander': Marine Leader Regrets His Forces Weren't Available for Recent Crises, Female Commander Investigated over Alleged Sexual Assaults of Male Subordinates, Pattern of Harassment. The stories vary on pretty much the same theme: ' someone ' (officer, etc.) Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used by the United States during the Vietnam War. The statement is in direct opposition to Defense Department documents that explicitly state herbicides were sprayed in Thailand in the early 1970s to protect bases from counterinsurgency attacks. Chemical Corps described these products as expandable supply items to be available to all users, meaning they were meant for use by facility engineers as an herbicide for grounds keeping (i.e., brush and weed control).. Agent Orange Newsletter - 2022 - Public Health Editors note: This story was updated to include further input from the Department of Defense. This is a huge win for any Vietnam War or any other veteran suffering from agent orange exposure related symptoms. being employed within. Disabled Veterans Sign up for a Career Change. An on-site visit in January 2019 by several Marine veterans of Task Force Delta report that the base was minimally staffed and the runway surface is in poor condition and would not support non-emergency fixed-wing aircraft use. 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. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. U.S. Bases in Thailand During the Vietnam War and Agent Orange Gallons of Herbicides Sprayed. Herbicides were also used to kill crops to diminish the enemys food supply. 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. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Ambassador to authorize herbicide operations. VA Disability Rating for Agent Orange & List of Presumptive Conditions We heard from VA officials about the agencys decision-making process when determining benefit eligibility forveteranswhose illnesses were caused by exposure to toxic hazards while on active duty. 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. This notion is further strengthened by the fact that the civil engineers developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) specifically for the disposal of herbicides due to fear that indiscriminate use of herbicide could be a source of pollution. The United States Veterans Administration (VA) has announced that, like those who served in Vietnam, veterans who served in Thailand maybe be entitled to VA benefits. And with Vietnam vets, there are two presumptions. Regarding base defense, the survey stated: A continuing vegetation control program is required for cleared areas under and between perimeter security fences. The team also focused on exposure resulting from procuring, shipping, storing, or loading herbicides. In Mr. Hogstads statement, he said that he observed a C-123 aircraft mounted with spray equipment next to barrels with orange stripes. The new list covers tactical herbicides including Agents Orange, Purple, Pink, Green, Blue, White and their active ingredients. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. The statute that defines herbicide agent focuses solely on the chemical agents contained in the herbicides used in Vietnam. 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. This significantly enhances the credibility of these statements by confirming the veterans knew exactly to what they were exposed all along even though the government continued to deny the exposure. Contactour office today for a free consultation with a member of our team. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. But it deletes or alters at least 50 previously identified locations, removing some dates and omitting testing sites like Hawaii, where the DoD previously said field tests were conducted, Puerto Rico, where herbicides were sprayed in forests between 1956 and 1967, and locations in Korea where components were stored. PDF Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in the Vietnam War - VSPA Maps of Heavily Sprayed Areas and Dioxin Hot Spots 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. Agent Orange was made up of 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T. Its contaminant TCDD is a highly toxic byproduct of producing Agent Orange. 3.307(a)(6)(i). Arnie Harmon, a Columbus-area veteran who served in Thailand, filed for compensation or a monthly stipend some 15 years ago at the urging of one of his physicians. "VA depends on DoD to provide information regarding in-service environmental exposure for disability claims based on exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam.". Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Joel. The news comes on the heels of the Jan. 1, 2020, VA expansion of Agent Orange benefits to veterans who were exposed to the herbicide during their service. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicides is therefore misguided, arbitrary, and contrary to law. specifically: 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T and its contaminant TCDD; cacodylic acid; and picloram. (Emphasis added.) Fast Letter 09-20 dealt exclusively with Haas-related claims from Thailand veterans that had been stayed. In August 1963, the government of Thailand requested aerial spraying services from RANCH HAND aircraft to assist with its locust problem. After developing illnesses linked to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, Rhodes filed a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The intended result was to expose enemy forces who relied on the trees for cover. DOD will continue to be responsive to the needs of our interagency partners in all matters related to taking care of both current and former service members. The remarks come amid a growing debate in the halls of Congress over how the Navy is meeting the legal requirement to operate Col. Meghann Sullivan, commander of the 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 5th SFAB, faces allegations of assaulting at least All of these veterans, who used education benefits earned in the military to pay for the training, had signed agreements Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story sustained an estimated $3 million in damage from Sunday's tornado in Virginia Beach Two boaters were rescued from a marshy island in Virginia after they were stranded in poor weather, the U.S. Coast Guard said A federal watchdog agency says the Defense Department has taken steps to ensure that it is not buying products containing the A Marine veteran was killed last week in an eastern Ukrainian city where the country's military has been locked for months in Military and overseas voters will effectively get more time to return absentee ballots under a bill Gov. 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. Japan Nov. 1971 - July, 1972; Nam Phong Thailand, July 1972 - Nov., 1972. The Truth About Agent Orange and Other Herbicides in Thailand During the Vietnam War, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox. widows, dependent children and dependent parents, Agent Orange Babies: The Effects of Agent Orange on Veterans Offspring, Benefits Every Veteran Needs to Know About (including 100 VA Disability Benefits) - 2023 Edition. These cookies do not store any personal information. Records from the Ranch Hand History Project show that Sergeant Richard E. Wolf, who worked on Operation RANCH HAND, received a letter of commendation for his actions in Thailand during these operations. In Sidney Chancellors sworn statement, he noted that his duties in an engineer unit from June 1967 to November 1968 included spraying herbicides along NKPs perimeter so that a fence could be installed. Task Force Delta Overview - RTAFB Nam Phong The first presumption is if you stepped foot in Vietnam, you were exposed to Agent Orange. 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. In such a strict application, VA arbitrarily ignored its own policy of conceding herbicide exposure for veterans who served near the perimeter. In his appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals, Thailand veteran Ronald Switzer stated he was a material handler of Agent Orange and that after the 1969 attack on Ubon, the perimeter was pushed back and the trees lost their foliage. This correlates to documents showing the recommended use of herbicides in 1969 and their subsequent use in 1970, 1971 and 1973. Figure 1.1 lists (and Figure 1.2 illustrates) the chemical composition of each of the herbicide agents as well as the time period in which they were used in Vietnam. He wrote in a sworn statement that he was twice assigned the task of diagnosing and repairing a Buffalo Turbine fogger/sprayer unit which sprayed the base consistently for insects and defoliated the base perimeter and other areas on the base. He witnessed drums with orange, blue, or white bands being stored in a shed at the AGE facility surrounded by defoliated soil.
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