Agent Orange Storage depot

[rdj94a]

I didn't go into the service until December 1975, however I was stationed at Gulfport, MS off and on for 20 years. This place was a major storage depot for the stuff. It was stacked all over the place, then finally put in one spot. They had a leak there and it got into the drainage ditches and killed everything fish included, all along 28th street down to the base outfall at canal road. At the time I was stationed at NCTC, which had ditches all around us, killed everything. Right after Hurricane Katrina a developer tried to build some housing on land along canal road, and was stopped because of finding it again. Then the navy or someone did a massive cleanup behind a housing authority property along canal road. I was there when they brought in aggregate dryers and burned all of the soil in the storage area. Point being a lot of us that were stationed there have come down with diabetes. We are from all across this country. I'm one of two guys that has a claim pending with the VA on this.

Information

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[Mike Haas]

I didn't go into the service until December 1975, however I was stationed at Gulfport, MS off and on for 20 years. This place was a major storage depot for the stuff. It was stacked all over the place, then finally put in one spot. They had a leak there and it got into the drainage ditches and killed everything fish included, all along 28th street down to the base outfall at canal road. At the time I was stationed at NCTC, which had ditches all around us, killed everything. Right after Hurricane Katrina a developer tried to build some housing on land along canal road, and was stopped because of finding it again. Then the navy or someone did a massive cleanup behind a housing authority property along canal road. I was there when they brought in aggregate dryers and burned all of the soil in the storage area. Point being a lot of us that were stationed there have come down with diabetes. We are from all across this country. I'm one of two guys that has a claim pending with the VA on this.

RDJ - While you may have a claim it will not, repeat "will not" likely fall under the "presumptive" effects of Agent Orange because the VA ruling/law requires service in Viet Nam and certain contiguous areas during specific time periods.

I spent 26 continuous months in RVN (Aug 66 to Oct 68) and was repeatly exposed to AO. After coming up with lung cancer and having 1/2 of my R/lung removed I applied to VA for disabilty benefits.
It took me almost three (3) years to gain permanent 100% VA Disability, BUT ..I was awarded 100% Temporary Disabilty 7 Months after my initial application. (Including VA treatment & Meds.)
Permanent status was awarded only after two appeals for that status and only after my lung function fell to under approx. 40% for twelve (12) consecutive months.

I managed to get through the process with the help of my State VA representitive and without a lawyer BUT you gotta stay up with the process and push the issue.

In your particuliar case you may be well advised to get a VA versed lawyer since your AO case appears to be outside the RVN "presumptive" law.

Get ALL of your Military records including your Medical records. Not just your DD-214; and ALL of your civilian medical records. Maintain copies for yourself and do not rely on VA to obtain them, nor believe they won't "lose them" once you submit them to VA. That happened to me twice.

Best of luck

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I'm very sorry to hear what you've been through Mike. I had no idea.
Take care of yourself, and thanks for giving rdj94a some helpful advice dealing with our Government health care services. It's detestable how the VA sometimes treat vets.

God bless both of you - Not only for your service, but all the suffering you've been through afterward.

~ Harlan

[jon_norstog]

I swore I would never use Dow or DuPont products again .... I use PPG paint, they might have been in on it too, but if they were I don't know about it.

RDJ, you really need to document that AO storage and the spills. If you have a bunch of paper, your lawyer can make a trail out of it for your case.

Good luck!

And Mike, I hope the angels bless you with health and the love of your family after all the suffering and BS.

jn

[Former Cav]

please post your story on every site you know of!
Thanks
Bob

[browningautorifle]

Just for info, it's no better here in Canada. We had men doing chemical warfare testing in Suffield Alberta in 1964 for instance, who have only just recently obtained any claim. Agent orange was tested for effect in Gagetown New Brunswick and I don't know of anyone who succesfully claimed for that. It's the same story here, claim and submit paperwork, wait, resubmit, wait... Im still at it myself.

[samurighost]

Just for info, it's no better here in Canada. We had men doing chemical warfare testing in Suffield Alberta in 1964 for instance, who have only just recently obtained any claim. Agent orange was tested for effect in Gagetown New Brunswick and I don't know of anyone who succesfully claimed for that. It's the same story here, claim and submit paperwork, wait, resubmit, wait... Im still at it myself.

I agree with you completely browing.....after spending 5 years in suffield (shudders) and going to gagetown im surprised that im not affected....there are still areas that are suspected of AO and it scares the crap out of me everytime our regiment goes there...

[FTIII]

RDJ - While you may have a claim it will not, repeat "will not" likely fall under the "presumptive" effects of Agent Orange because the VA ruling/law requires service in Viet Nam and certain contiguous areas during specific time periods.

I spent 26 continuous months in RVN (Aug 66 to Oct 68) and was repeatly exposed to AO. After coming up with lung cancer and having 1/2 of my R/lung removed I applied to VA for disabilty benefits.
It took me almost three (3) years to gain permanent 100% VA Disability, BUT ..I was awarded 100% Temporary Disabilty 7 Months after my initial application. (Including VA treatment & Meds.)
Permanent status was awarded only after two appeals for that status and only after my lung function fell to under approx. 40% for twelve (12) consecutive months.

I managed to get through the process with the help of my State VA representitive and without a lawyer BUT you gotta stay up with the process and push the issue.

In your particuliar case you may be well advised to get a VA versed lawyer since your AO case appears to be outside the RVN "presumptive" law.

Get ALL of your Military records including your Medical records. Not just your DD-214; and ALL of your civilian medical records. Maintain copies for yourself and do not rely on VA to obtain them, nor believe they won't "lose them" once you submit them to VA. That happened to me twice.

Best of luck

I went to the VA many years ago after they requested that I come and be tested for AO. They drew blood after less than 5 min. they came back and told me the tests were negitive. They also said I was never near where it was used, they never asked where I was nor saw a copy of my orders and I never told them. I laughed and left shaking my head. My youngest daughter has the exact disability as Elmo Zumwalts second born has, I have had 2 tumors cut out and thank my lucky stars that they were not cancer. Heres the really funny part of this, I helped mount the spray rig on the Huey and mix the stuff, a real kick huh for someone that the VA says was never near it. If yall want to buy into anything the VA says please be my guest but as for me I wouldnt believe them if they told me the sun was coming up and I was standing there watching it. Hope this isn't to political for this forum or "offends" someone.

Regards
BudT

[rdj94a]

It has been a year since I filed the claim, I received letters up until Oct last year, then in March they informed me that the VA Biloxi had lost some of my records, did I want them to make a decision. I documented all of the events at CBC Gulfport, provided them with witnesses, dates times and places. Can't believe it takes this long to say NO, so I can get the appeals process started.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I did three tours, total of 28 months in country. Never gave it a thought. When I got out they rated me 10% for hearing. Back then (Dec 1971) that was $25 a month.

After I had colon and prostate cancer surgeries done at Kaiser, I got a notice in the mail to come in for AO screening. They never said how then knew I had the surgeries at Kaiser. So I applied for VA benefits in 2003 for AO prostate cancer. It took about a year and they assigned it a 60% rating and back paid to my filing date. In 2006 I had some heart attacks then 5 way bypass surgery. I asked if that was connected, they said no. Then last year all of a sudden in Oct ischemic heart disease was added. So I applied and dated it back to my surgery in 2006. They said no, it could only be from the date I applied. I mentioned I asked back in 2006. They said even if they said it was not related then and added it later, I could not go back to that date. It got rated at 30% dated to Oct 2010.

My county rep submitted some other issues at that time from my medical records. I was lucky in that I had kept my sea bag and records folder just the way it was when I got out in Dec 1971. Travel orders, assignments, locations medical records, all dated. It helped a lot that they didn't have to round them up. One of the guys on my 4 man boat also got cancer, but didn't have his records. Just so happens he was on my travels orders in 1969, and I gave him a copy. It then went through.

The VA has a funny math. I am rated 60% for the cancer, 30% for the heart, 30% for PTSD, 20% for a shoulder wound, 10% for hearing loss. They are reviewing the other shoulders wound and pulmonary hypertension and apnea (right side of the heart doesn't pump strong enough to the lungs) and to them that adds up to 86% which they have rounded up to 90%. I had to quit work last month, couldn't physically do the job anymore. My local county VA service person said we should try for un employability and he filed for that. I am waiting to hear. I hope I don't have to go through 2 appeals as Mike did.

They know all the stuff we were exposed to will shorten our lives. This stuff has effected us for over 40 years. We are in our 60's now. So what do we have left 5 maybe 10 years. I feel they are dragging their feet to help out. Their payments will not have to go on very long for us. Give us a break.

Viet Nam has always been the red headed step child of wars. Not popular, first on live TV, hippies protesting. I am very happy to see the treatment our current service people receive when they come home.

Don't read this wrong. I am very proud of our military past and present, and honored to have served. Also very patriotic. I just wish they would have a little more consideration for what we will be dealing with the rest of our lives.