Question:

I was in supply squadron on Kadena's outside storage yard. We had 55 gallon drums from dry cleaning solvents, pesticides, welding gases, and used gray drums mixed with water as weed killer around perimeter of storage yard. We also used creosote for railroad ties when rebuilding storage racks (got some splashed in eyes). I am not sure what defoliant was used but if I remember right, it was in gray drums. Should I file with DAV for help with constant stomach issues and digestive problems? Thank you for any advice! Served on Kadena '73-'75.

Jim's Reply:

You may have the beginnings of a claim. But first up you need to positively identify the chemicals you're talking about. Then you need to provide some sort of evidence of your exposure to the chemicals you identify...how often, when, where, how, etc.
 

Then you need a medical diagnosis. "Constant stomach issues" is not a medical diagnosis and to file a claim you must have a diagnosis of a disease or condition that may be caused or contributed to by the chem exposure.
 

We are exposed to many industrial chemicals during our service and many of these can cause service connected disabling conditions. To file a successful claim means that we have to be specific as we can about what happened to us. Good luck.