Jim,
I am a Vietnam veteran. I went to Takhli Thailand in September of 1972 with the TDY deployment of the 474th TFW F111’s from Nellis A.F.B in a classified deployment under Constant Guard operation with the 429th TFS and 430th TFS. I worked as an avionics technician on the Flight line on Com/Nav/ECM equipment on the plane.
I currently have a 10% disability for hearing loss due to working around the Jet engines while I was in the Air Force.
I have poor health. Diabetes, COPD, Enlarged Prostrate, Brachacardia with a pacemaker, Congestive Heart Failure due to diastolic dysfunction, and recently Tachacardia which my cardiologist is still investigating.
Since this was a classified mission, I have had a difficult time proving that I was ever deployed to Takhli. My DD214 only says that I was in SEA. Last night, by chance after over 10 years of searching, I finally got a copy of my TDY orders that deployed me to SEA.
It is my understanding that until recently, the VA turned down all claims unless the veteran had set a foot in Vietnam itself.
While I was at Takhli we had empty drums with orange stripes in our work area. Based on research that I have done on the internet, one of which is Operation Ranch hand, It has finally been shown that Agent Orange was used at Takhli. On one of the Bulliten Boards for Takhli, one guy even said that the VA was approving claims by security policemen who worked the perimeters of the base with the guard dogs.
Takhli was overgrown when I got there. They had to of used defoliants several times over the years to clear the flight lines and living areas of the foliage. Besides the defoliants, the insects were so thick that they sprayed a insecticide fog at least twice a day. This fog, would penetrate the screens on our hooches and we were forced to breath it multiple times daily.
I truly believe that some of my health issues are related to my time at Takhli.
What do I need to do now that I have my orders in order to approach the VA to try to get compensation for some of these problems?
Reply:
You must file a claim. There is no mystery to getting started, go to my guide at http://jimstrickland912.com
You’ll also find a wealth of good information at http://statesidelegal.org/how-file-va-claim-disability-compensation
The bottom line is always the same at VA. For any action to occur, you must begin at the beginning...that means telling the VA in writing just what you feel should happen with the claims you will present to them.
Whether you are making a new claim or asking for an increased rating for an established condition, you have to state your case to VA formally. You don’t have to complete a form, a simple letter will get the process rolling along.
Once your claims are recognized and in process, you will then carefully follow the instructions you will receive from VA. You’ll offer all the evidence you have and then wait for VA to adjudicate your case.
If you aren’t happy with the resulting award or if you’re denied your benefits, you go straight to the appeals process.
It really isn’t much more difficult than that. Good luck.