I was in Danang harbor in 1967 and our ship was sprayed 2 times with agen orange/agent blue. I have the paperwork showing this info. I went ashore to get stores, does this make me aBlue water sailor or a sailor sprayed with AO. I found out 40yrs later that our ship was sprayed and just had a kidney removed Jun 2006. Trying to get the path report now. Thanks for listening.
If you went ashore there is no blue water issue. If you stayed aboard the ship, currently you would be classed as a Blue Water Sailor. It is boots on the ground under current regulation. The issue is in the appeals court.
I talked to the pathologies that did the sample from my kidney-Iasked if he couldtell if it was from herbicide( Agent Orange). He stated that he didn't have that expertize in that field. So. I guess I will try Wayne State Medical next. I will not give up!!!!!
Originally posted by 12835879: I talked to the pathologies that did the sample from my kidney-Iasked if he couldtell if it was from herbicide( Agent Orange). He stated that he didn't have that expertize in that field. So. I guess I will try Wayne State Medical next. I will not give up!!!!!
If you were in Vietnam exposure is presumptive (DaNang Harbor is in-country Vietnam). There is no need of spending your money on tests to determine if there would be minute traces of TCDD in the tissue. If you have a presumptive condition and exposure has been conceded, your claim simply needs to be processed.
Please bear with me.As I understand you,Dave,since I have paper work to show that my ship was sprayed in Danang harbor with AO and had to have a kidney removed I could fill a claim with VA? I know the kidney is not on their list- should I summit a claim anyway? Thanks for your info !!!
File a claim. The worst thing the VA can do is say no. You can appeal that decision (if it does happen) and go to the BVA. What you need for direct service connection for kidney disease is a statement from competent medical authority (your doctor) stating "in my professional opinion, the kidney disease was due to the exposure to herbicides, commonly known as Agent Orange. Or if the doctor is not willing to say that, try a statement "in my professional opinion the kidney disease is as likely as not, due to the exposure to herbicides known commonly as Agent Orange." If the reason for removal was cancer, use the word 'cancer' in place of disease.
I am an army Vietnam Vet and also came down with kidney cancer and am in the process of filling out my VA paperwork. I lost my right kidney in Dec 2004 and my RCC cancer has since spread to my lower right lung. Lesion and 1/2 my lower right lung lobe was removed in Mar 2006. Blessed with Clear CAT scans since then. My kidney tumor was 9.5cm and have found out from my research that RCC tumors grow (very slowly) at a rate of .23 to .50 cm per year. I believe this was caused by exposure to Agent Orange during my 1971-21972 tour in Vung Tau, RVN. Do the math and I easily get back to Vietnam as the source. Have seen the spray diagrams and this area of MR III was heavily sprayed. Yes, even near Vung Tau. Spent lots of time also in Bien Hoa, Phuc Tuy and surrounding areas. Thanks for the tip on my doctor's statement. I will try to get him to sign a statement like that. Hope to launch my VA packet within 2 weeks.
Well, Dave, Itook your advice and sent a letter to my Urologist, who took out my kidney. He called today, stated that he couldn't say for sure that the Agent Orange was the reason for my cancer. I put in my letter and also told him on the phone"the kidney cance is as likley as not" as you had adviced. He recommended that I go to an oncologist, because he would know better.. Bottom line No letter. I hope the lady that I am seeing (Purple Heart) will go ahead and file for me. Dave B. thanks for the info very much.
Doctors never cease to amaze me. Keep on pushing. The sign in my office reads: You Never Fail Until You Stop Trying Note the two words in italics have the message under control. Never Stop!
Dave B. finally got to see my Urologist yesterday. I ask him about AO being the cause of my Kidney cancer. He said "it could have caused it or not." I ask if he would give me a letter saying" the kidney cancer as likely as not could have been cause by the herbiside AO".The only worry now is that we were sprayed in DaNang harbor. I think you stated that the harbor was considered inland not blue water. Thanks for the advise, I'll be getting my package together now.
Brown to green was the color, not blue!!! That would be considered inland. However we still have the nutz yelling 'boots on the ground!" In my opinion we have a mess when it comes to veterans and politicians. I notice many of our judges never served in any of the armed forces, yet have ultimate control over our desitny. File and proscecute through the BVA if needed.
Dave B. Well I finally got my letter from the urologist.It states the following" Patient was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam and in my opinion the cancer is as likely as not to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange." I am putting together a package with this letter,copy of my DD214, copy of paperwork showing I was on the USS Conquest and the copy of the JSESG Herbicide Exposure Model-Exposure Report that shows when we were sprayed,where, agent, date mission/run numbers and location of the ship( Danang Harbor). I sure hope this is enough . Thanks
Dave B should I get a buddy letter that says I went ashore in Danang to get supplies for the galley? I thought Danang Harbor was considered in country? Thanks
Originally posted by AKCSJAKE: Dave B should I get a buddy letter that says I went ashore in Danang to get supplies for the galley? I thought Danang Harbor was considered in country? Thanks
Good post, thanks for bringing it up. Being in the harbor should count as in-country, however unless the boots were on the dirt, the VA fights it with a passion. Blue water sailors won the court action and VA has buried it in the legal process. By all means get the buddy statement, only the good Lord knows when the legal wrangling will be over and the courts decision implemented.
Well, the package was mailed today to the VA.Hope the letter helps from the doctor and they really consider the kidney was affected by AO. Thanks, Dave B for all your advice.
Dave B. finally got a letter from VA stating that they received my request but there is really a backlog. If they need further info they will be in touch. As Don Schwanke says "the wait is on". Thanks again Dave.
