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02/18/23 12:14 AM #105    

 

Art Cross

Ron,.I was sorry to hear about Ron Kaussner's situation and death. That could have been the same night that I got involved. I didn't realize he was on duty and had to clean up the mess. On the night I got involved, we did offload the pallet with the leaking barrel. There was a lot more exposure than the VA realizes. I think the VA employee attitudes varies by location. Here in Kerrville, Texas, I have been very impressed with all the workers that I have come into contact with, from Clerks, Technicians,  Nurses, and  Doctors. A lot of them are ex military and they are always  very polite, friendly and professional. 


02/18/23 06:31 AM #106    

Herbert Tidwell

If dioxin exposure on Guam leads to a presumptive factor for your illnesses, I would suggest filing a new claim.  It cannot hurt your case.  Glad that you like your caregivers at the VA facilities you use.  There are some really good people employed by the VA.  However, do not forget that the VA has a verified history of deceit and denial when it comes to valid claims.  Never trust the VA in regard to a claim and do your homework to substantiate any claim you make.  Hard work solves a lot of issues.  Don't be afraid to lawyer up if it seems advisable.  I have a 100% permanent and total disability rating due to Agent Orange exposure.  That is my situation and the one I make these statements from.


02/18/23 09:15 AM #107    

 

Bob Shaw

I believe this is Ron Kaussner.

Barracks 332 across from chow hall.


02/18/23 09:19 AM #108    

 

Bob Shaw


02/18/23 12:00 PM #109    

Stephen M. Landon (Command & Control Specialist)

I worked for the Veterans Health Adminstration for 20 years and during that time  I visited (TDY) at least a dozen or so VA Medical Centers and was stationed (PCS) 7 VA Medical Centers. The Medical Centers throughout the land are grouped geographically into different VISN's having worked in the private sector with national large companies what surprised me the most with the Veterans Health Administrations (VHA) was depending on which medical center you visit they are not standardized with their procedure or understanding.  I think this makes navigating the claims process challenging to say the least. I finally was rated at 90 percent it took longer to get properly rated due to me going through the claims process until I really realized how it operated.  I would suggest always seeking help with the veteran Service Organizations for assistance they have offices at the VA Medical Centers and also in the community.


03/21/23 06:42 AM #110    

Herbert Tidwell

Study the CFR's applicable Schedule of Ratings and if you meet the criteria for X% rating, be sure to include medical evidence that mirrors them word for word.  Make it so clear that even the VA will understand and agree that you have earned X% rating.  Don't hesitate to appeal until you receive the rating you feel is correct.  Hire an attorney if necessary.  It's money well spent.  I'm 100% total and permanent based on ischemic heart disease caused by Agent Orange.  Feel free to contact me if you want additional information.


05/05/23 07:45 PM #111    

 

Jerry Davis

I found this article while reseraching 610 MASS history.  Written by CMSgt Jerry Merritt who wa in the instrument shop after my time, but the article reminded me of the hundreds of Medivacs I worked on during my 2 years.

 

https://www.ustranscom.mil/cmd/panewsreader.cfm?ID=28887735-5056-A127-59572554D576DB05&yr=2000

 


05/05/23 07:50 PM #112    

 

Jerry Davis

For your reading pleasure and some history of the amount of patients that moved through our medivac system during Vietnam.  610 MASS was the primary transit point during my 2 years!

file:///Users/jdvnv/Documents/Personal%20Records%20&%20Important%20Files/Papi/USAF%20UNIT%20HISTORY/AEROMEDICAL%20EVACUATION/MAC%20Aeromedical%20Evacuation%20AFD-150915-028.pdf

MAC Aeromedical Evacuation Support of Southeast Asia Operations 1964-1971

 

 


05/07/23 03:58 PM #113    

William Leibundguth

I spent 6 months reconfiguring 141's to med evac and back again. The worst were the burn flights.


05/08/23 08:28 AM #114    

Robert Hicks

Ha has anybody had a problem with there dd214 to update. The reason I say this is I looked at mine and it doesn't show where I was overseas like being at Yokota to all my TDYs to the PI for work at 604 mass. I do know working with the air force and the idiots in DC is like nothing. After the pact act came out as a flightline mechanic on C141,C5 and etc the number of toxic material was unbelievable. The government never recognized a lot places over there in southeast Asia so if anyone can help with paperwork of any sort would be really helpful. 

 Thanks


05/09/23 05:09 PM #115    

 

Jerry Davis

Robert - 

None of my TDY's are listed on my 214, and they are important records for us!  I have repeatedly requested these records and the requests have fallen on deaf ears.  Same goes for my medical records from Yokota!


05/09/23 05:24 PM #116    

 

Jerry Davis

610 MASS HISTORY

I am amazed at the lack of history available for our ole Squadron.  I wrote on line to the AMC History office at amc.ho@us.af.mil, and they can only find history from July 1975 through December 1978.  I have sent this on to Mitch to see if was any use to the 610 MASS group.  I can email this to anyone that is interested.

I was referred to Air Force Historical Research Agency at https://airforcehistoryindex.org/.  I have searched many hours on this website and have found very few documents related to 610 MASS for the years of inception through 1975.  It's like 610 MASS has been totally redacted from Air Force HIstory.  I am very curious WHY???

I have also reached out to yokotainquiries@gmail.com but have not heard anything back from them.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHY THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR 610 MASS?

 

 


05/09/23 05:29 PM #117    

 

Jerry Davis

William -

Yeah those weekly flights with our burn casualties were the worse!  We were there about the same time.  Me - Jan '66 till Nov '68.


05/09/23 06:01 PM #118    

 

Jerry Davis

Circa 1967 in front of 610 MASS Barracks. Me and my machines took me many miles around Honshu!


05/09/23 06:03 PM #119    

 

Jerry Davis

Circa 1967 in front of 610 MASS Barracks. Me and my machines took me many miles around Honshu!


05/12/23 01:58 PM #120    

William Leibundguth

My DD214 is totally wrong too. It shows only one year overseas duty were as I was at Yokota for two and none of my TDYs  are listed either.Found out that it's too much of a hassle to get it fixed.

 


05/12/23 05:14 PM #121    

 

Jerry Davis

610

MASS Commander 1966-1968. He had quiet a background. I found this on Ancestry / Newspapers


11/14/23 03:11 PM #122    

John Ermlich

I was stationed at Yokota from 1969 to 1972. I worked in Protocol, Pax Service, and Baggage during that time. Likewise, I have a claim pending under the" PACT ACT." Does anyone of you have any additional information about spills or incidents besides those posted? Or does anyone have a Claim Pending under the "PACT ACT"? Would you like to share your experience with the VA?
"


11/15/23 07:14 AM #123    

Bob Garcia

John,I do not have any info on chemical spills at Yokota.I worked APG flight line in 1n 1967.Back in the nineties I put in a claim for Hypertension and was subsequently denied by the VA.August of last year along came the Pact Act which opened the door to file new claims.The VA is a different animal than it was 30 years ago and my opinion for the better.You should talk to an accredited veterans service officer to steer you in the right direction.Good luck,Bob Garcia.


11/15/23 10:53 AM #124    

John Ermlich

Does anyone have any information about Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals found on the flight line/aircraft at Yokota from 1969-1972? If so, can you provide information to support these exposures? 


11/16/23 08:52 PM #125    

Robert Jensen

There was a leak on the flight lne froma 141 but that was after I left in 1969. Art Cross has made several comments on this site agout it.  Robert


11/17/23 05:31 AM #126    

Herbert Tidwell

Should have gone to Vietnam.  Then, there wouldn't be any issue about your exposure to Agent Orange.  You are grasping for straws.


11/17/23 08:19 AM #127    

Bob Garcia

For what it's worth,the major testing base for dioxins was Eglin AFB from 61 to 72.Can one imagine all the PCS and troops being trained that were exposed?There is no way the U.S.Goverment is going to open that can of worms and essentially wipe out the VA budget! By the way I was stationed at Eglin in 68,did not get in country till 1970.I wish you guys luck in trying to get your illnesses service connected, but one must be realistic when it comes to dealing with the VA.I know, because it took me 30 yrs to get my claims service connected.Every one out there,have a great turkey day and best wishes,Bob Garcia.


02/10/24 09:13 AM #128    

 

Jerry Davis

YOU GOTTA READ THIS!!!
Get the word out please!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOSGMembers/permalink/1366777290645776/

NEWS: VA to ease benefits rules for vets exposed to Agent Orange in the United States 

By Leo Shane III  - Military Times

Thousands of veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the United States will for the first time be eligible for fast-track disability benefits under plans unveiled by the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday.

The move represents another major expansion of toxic exposure benefits for veterans, this time for individuals suffering from illnesses dating back to the Vietnam War era. The changes follow mandates included in the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — better known as the PACT Act — passed by Congress in August 2022.

Over the last two years, a combination of administration moves and new legislation opened access to disability benefits for millions of veterans who incurred injuries from burn pit smoke, radiation contamination and other military toxic exposure events.

In a statement, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the proposed moves “would make it easier for veterans exposed to herbicides who served outside Vietnam to access the benefits they so rightly deserve.

“Our goal is to provide every veteran of every era with the VA health care and benefits they deserve, and this is another step in the right direction,” McDonough said.

Rules outlining the change were filed in the Federal Register on Friday, and will still take several months before going into effect. The new proposal would give presumptive benefits status to veterans who served in “locations where herbicides were tested, used, or stored outside of Vietnam.”

That includes military locations in 12 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Utah — where Agent Orange was present in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A full list of the specific states and times is available on the VA website.

The rule would also cover troops stationed at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick, Canada, in June 1966 and June 1967; individuals stationed in Kumbla, India, in 1945 and 1946; and expanded timelines for troops who served in Cambodia, the Johnston Atoll, Guam, American Samoa, Korea, Laos, and Thailand during the 1960s and 1970s.

Troops who served in Vietnam between January 1962 and May 1975 — either on the ground or in waterways around the country — already qualify for presumptive benefits status by the department because of Agent Orange exposure.

The toxic defoliant has been linked to a host of cancers and heart illnesses. Presumptive status means that individuals who develop certain illnesses believed caused by the chemicals do not have to document specific instances where they were exposed, but instead only provide service records showing they were in the area presumed contaminated.

As a result, advocates have pushed for broader use of presumptive status for troops who served around toxic chemicals while in the military but may not have been able to document every instance of exposure because of records lost over the years.

Advocates hailed Friday’s announcement.

“This is long overdue justice for many veterans,” said AMVETS National Commander Bill Clark. “I hope these affected heroes and their families see the news today and feel relief. This is more than a policy change; it is an acknowledgment of the sacrifices many veterans and their families made.”

 

 


03/15/24 08:45 AM #129    

Bob Garcia

Hey Jerry,good info for those seeking V.A. benefits for toxic exposure.How are you making out? Ok on this end,still waiting on my sleep apnea claim as secondary to my SC Alergic Rhinitus/Chronis Sinusitis.The wife and I are going to attend the 610 MASS reunion in Norfork VA. It should be a lot of fun and I am presently working on new bullshit stories that I've not told before.I hope to see you there,but if not ,you take care,Bob Garcia.


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