Monthly Archives: July 2011

Agent Orange: Herbicide Exposure in US Thailand Bases 1961-1975

Posted on by vfwlady

Report on Defense Tactics in Thailand

A recently declassified Department of Defense (DoD) Report written in 1973 titled, “Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report: Base Defense in Thailand 1968-1972,” contains evidence that there was a significant use of herbicides on the fenced-in perimeters of military bases in Thailand to remove foliage that provided cover for enemy forces.

VA determined that herbicides used on the Thailand base perimeters may have been tactical and procured from Vietnam, or a strong, commercial type resembling tactical herbicides.

Agent Orange: Thailand Military Bases

Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits.

The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides:

  • U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned an MP military
    occupational specialty whose duty placed him/her
    at or near the base perimeter    .

To receive benefits for diseases associated with herbicide exposure, these Veterans must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during their service as shown by evidence of daily work duties, performance evaluation reports, or other credible evidence.

VA Benefits

Veterans

Eligible Veterans may receive the following VA benefits:

  • Agent Orange registry health exam: A free, comprehensive examination. Veterans who may have been exposed to herbicides during a military operation or as a result of testing, transporting, or spraying herbicides for military purposes may be eligible.
  • Health care benefits: A full range of medical benefits. There are many ways a Veteran may qualify.
  • Disability compensation benefits: A monthly payment for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. Veterans who believe they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides outside of Vietnam must show on a factual basis that they were exposed in order to receive disability compensation for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.
  • Other benefits: Home loans, vocational rehabilitation, education, and more

Children and Survivors

Surviving spouses, children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to herbicides and died as the result of diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure may be eligible for benefits. These benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, education, home loan and health care benefits. Find out if you qualify for survivors’ benefits.

Need Help Determining Exposure or Eligibility?

Contact VA for help determining Agent Orange exposure and your eligibility for VA benefits.

By Telephone

In Person

VA Claims for PTSD Compensation: Start By Using the PTSD Worksheet

Posted on by vfwlady

If you are attempting to file a PTSD claim with the VA,  there is a worksheet developed by the PTSD Help Network that can assist you in providing your veterans service officer or representative and your examining physician with the information they need. In order to receive VA compensation for PTSD there are two items of evidence that must exist:

  • Stressor:  In a recent regulatory revision, the VA will accept as a stressor the fact that a veteran was in “fear of military or terrorist activity.”  Likewise any event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury could also be considered a stressor.  That fear or event must be consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran’s service.  Moreover, a VA psychiatrist or psychologist, or those working under contract to the VA, must confirm that the claimed stressor is adequate enough to support a diagnosis of PTSD.
  • Diagnosis: A diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rendered by a psychiatrist. Counseling reports prepared by Vet Centers may be considered in determining the degree of your impairment; however, there must be a diagnosis of PTSD made by a physician specialized in psychiatry.

To view the worksheet go here: PTSD WORKSHEET

A Veterans Service Publication of PTSDhelp.net

Fee For Using Facebook and Skype: Fact or Fiction?

Posted on by vfwlady

Fiction!  Facebook has been free to it’s 350 MILLION+ worldwide users for years, and despite the recent rumors, they intend to remain a free service to their users.  This urban tale re-surfaced after Facebook announced it’s merger with Skype in July 2011, but the rumor first began circulating in December of 2009.

Here is the latest version of the hoax: [Collected by Snopes.com via e-mail, July 2011]

“Its official.. signal at 12;20 it even passed on tv. Facebook will start charging this summer. If you copy this on your wall your icon will turn blue and facebook will be free for you. Please pass this message if not your account will be deleted. p.s, this is serious the icon turns blue, So please put this as your status.”

The Skype-Facebook partnership brought a video chat feature has already gone live.  If you haven’t heard about this new feature, you can try it here.

If Facebook intends to begin charging for features outside of their basic service, I am confident that they will make the announcement themselves.   In the meantime, ignore the rumors and enjoy the features!

Related Article:
Facebook Charging Rumor Goes Viral As Video Chat Announced

VA Admits Association Between Gulf War and Gastrointestinal Disorders

Posted on by vfwlady

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as a final rule the proposal to amend its adjudication regulations regarding presumptive service connection for medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations for which there is no record during service.

This amendment implements a decision by the Secretary that there is a positive association between service in Southwest Asia during certain periods and the subsequent development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and clarifies that FGIDs fall within the scope of the existing presumptions of service connection for medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

DATES: This final rule is effective August 15, 2011. Applicability Date: This final rule shall apply to claims pending before, filed with or remanded to VA on or after August 15, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Copeland, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9685. (This is not a toll-free number.)

Read the entire ruling>>

Military 21-Channel FREE TV Salute

Posted on by vfwlady

With Military pay leaving little room for things like cable TV, Movie Rentals, or even Netflix, here are 21 channels that you can watch FREE online via the internet.  If you have high-speed internet, then you can watch TV directly from the online websites below, starting with my favorite: The Military Channel.

Simply click on one of the 21 channels pictured below to be redirected to their online website, and start watching FREE TV on your computer today!  Most episodes of your favorite television shows are available within 5 days of the original air date.

**Beginning August 15, 2011 only customers of DISH Network will be the “first” to access new episodes of FOX shows online.  All other online viewers will be able to watch new episodes of FOX shows 8 days after the episode airs. This will be true wherever full episodes of FOX shows appear online.

             

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Contaminates (S.277) to Kill Military Commissaries

Posted on by vfwlady

Several Marine Corps families stationed at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987 are threatened with severe health issues resulting from the use of contaminated well water that contained carcinogens.

Until this week, the VFW was a strong advocate of the “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011 (S. 277),” which the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee passed recently to provide VA healthcare to assigned Marines, their families and veterans.

Now the VFW and many other military support organizations have learned that the SVAC changed the bill — without public notice or hearing — to fund the care it would provide through the elimination of federal subsidies for military commissaries, and by directing the military exchange system to consolidate with the Defense Commissary Agency. 

At risk is the annual DeCA appropriation of $1.3 billion and if approved, the plan would result in significantly higher prices in commissaries world-wide.

According to Retired U.S. Army Major Carlton Clark, “The commissary is one of the greatest moral issues for all military. It remains the place where a Pvt. Can buy food for his family at reasonable prices. It makes military pay close to a living wage. Without it morale will drop and recruitment lag.”

Commissary and exchange consolidation “is not something we would support,“said Steve Strobridge, director of government relations for Military Officers Association of America. “And certainly not without going through the armed services committee. I hope it gets the kind of scrutiny it deserves.“

The VFW stated in VFW Washington Weekly, that they can no longer support S. 277 because the new proposal threatens the existence of the commissary and exchange systems. They ask that you urge your senators to reject S. 277.

Contact your senators today at http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

Read related post: Commissary savings at risk to help ill Lejeune vets

Military and Veterans Discount Center (MVDC) Website NOW AVAILABLE and FREE To Use

Posted on by vfwlady

They’re here!  The Military and Veterans Discount Center Website officially launched in July 2011

IF you are tired of hearing about military discounts only to find your local store does not have them.
IF you are a veteran trying to navigate the veteran discount landscape, or a spouse that is afraid of asking a merchant about military discounts….

THEN, the Military and Veterans Discount Center can help you, and it’s free for all users.

Why should you join MVDC?

  • To find military discounts and veteran discounts in your local area.
  • To SAVE up to $3500 per year by taking advantage of the discounts you’ve earned.
  • To be the first to receive exclusive military and veteran only discounts.
  • Help fellow service members, veterans and families by adding any local military discounts you come across.
  • SIGNUP TODAY!!

Major General Bailey Becomes First Black Commander of 1st Marine Division

Posted on by vfwlady

Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey assumed command of Camp Pendleton‘s 1st Marine Division from Maj. Gen. Michael Regner during a ceremony on June 30 in California. Bailey is the first African American to command the 1st Marine Division – the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the Marine Corps.

“When I entered the Marine Corps, we didn’t even have anyone ever reach the rank of staff sergeant,” said Oscar Culp, Montford Point Marine of Oceanside. “To now have a man commanding a division truly shows that America is a place where you can come from anywhere and reach the top.”

During a speech to family and friends, Bailey thanked several officers who provided guidance as he rose through the ranks. Bailey assumes command at a time of a draw-down of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and a reduction in the size of the Marine Corps.


Image provided by the North County Times – Maj. Gen. Michael Regner, left, the outgoing commanding general of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, congratulates Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey during a changing-of-command ceremony.

Rally at Houston National Cemetary: Hundreds Want Ocasio Out, God Back In

Posted on by vfwlady

Nearly 1,000 people attended a rally Monday July 4th at the Houston National Cemetery supporting an increasing list of people calling for the termination of cemetery director Arlene Ocasio.

Veterans and clergy showed up at the rally, which started at 10 a.m. at the cemetery. The event, organized by the Houston Area Pastor Council, came days after Congressman Ted Poe called for the termination of Arleen Ocasio amid allegations of religious censorship.

The Houston Area Pastor Council planned Monday’s protest in support of a federal lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Liberty Institute on behalf of American Legion Post 586, Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4, and National Memorial Ladies, a volunteer group that attends burials at the cemetery.

“The director of this cemetery, since she got here about a year ago, has engaged in systematic oppression of religious speech on this ground,” said Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council.

Welch said the strong turnout demonstrates to veterans’ groups and volunteers who attend burials at the cemetery that they’re not alone.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Houston) also supports the call for Ocasio’s termination.

“This is shocking,” he said. “[It is] really abhorrent to our veterans that they can’t have a proper military burial and not refer to God or Jesus Christ.”

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