They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Call Cuddigan Law to get help with your VA disability application or appeal today. Red line shows the Nakhon Pahnom RTAFB base perimeter, while the blue line shows the full 500 meter herbicide/Agent Orange drift zone as defined in U.S. Army Preparation area showing a perimeter guard tower at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Defoiliated Hawaii was one of the main sites for the storage and testing of Agent Orange throughout the 1960s. Vietnam War-era veterans who served in Thailand say theyre still fighting. Attention A T users. The use of Agent Orange at Ubon Air Force Base has been linked to a number of health problems in both veterans and civilians. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailandfrom January 9, 1962, throughJune 30, 1976. U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand, 1972The National Archives, Health Care It was established in 1913, making it one of the oldest air forces in the world. In order to show a service connection between your disability(ies) and your active duty service, you must show an in-service event that documents your claim. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 On September 16, 1974, the USAF forces at Ubon were inactivated, and the facility was handed over to the Thai government. Present and Future Facilities at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 30 June 1968, Department of the Air Force Master Base Plan Map along the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 10 - the Recreation and Beach 2 0 obj This was the last multi-crew loss of the Vietnam War. AC-47s were the most common type of vehicle on April 4, 1966 in the United States. Agent Orange is a highly toxic, deadly chemical that is a known carcinogen. Specifically, in 1956, numerous herbicide chemicals were evaluated on tropical woods in Mayaguez and Guanica, PR. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. In February 1968, a Igloo White sensor-dropping mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos was launched. McHenry worked for years to correct what he argued was an error in that memo, which held there was no evidence of tactical herbicides having been used at American bases in Thailand. Claude Delsol, conteur magicien des mots et des objets, est un professionnel du spectacle vivant, un homme de paroles, un crateur, un concepteur dvnements, un conseiller artistique, un auteur, un partenaire, un citoyen du monde. This Ubon, Thailand page of the website is dedicated to the memory of the crew of BARON 52; We express our most sincere gratitude to each one of you for giving all you had in the name of freedom. Call for immediate help at 401-331-6300 or contact us online. 4 0 obj In December of 1966, Fort Detrick personnel conducted field tests of Agent Orange in Hilo, HI in order to evaluate variables such as rates, volume of application, season, and vegetation. Service as a military policeman or duty near the base perimeter. The wing flew its last combat mission on 15 August 1973. SSA and VA Disability Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska, 2023 Cuddigan Law, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission, Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Get Disability, Vets Who Served in Thailand Qualify for Benefits, Agent Orange Exposure and Associated Diseases, VA Special Monthly Compensation Explained With Pay Rates, How the Bilateral Factor Affects Your VA Disability Benefits, Expanded Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Materials, The disability occurred because of an in-service event, There was a link between the event and the current disability. Shannon is the daughter of a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and a high school English teacher and was born on MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 It was used as a staging area for bombing missions over Laos and Cambodia. They (the VA) will grant it, (or) theyll grant it partially, (or) theyll deny it, which is probably about 80 to 90% of the Thailand veterans, they have been denied. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Additionally, national archives show that various herbicide missions were launched from Thailand twice in 1966, twice in 1967, and also in 1969 and 1970. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Takhli held an annual training event between March 17 and 21, 1969, and July 13 to 16, 1970, respectively. This list includes U.S. Air Force veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat and Don Muang. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Contact Us Air Force or Army service at Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, or Army service at some small Army installations in Thailand, between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, ischemic heart disease, Hodgkins disease, prostate or respiratory cancer, Parkinsons Disease), it is worth filing a claim for VA benefits, Webinar: Agent Orange and Thailand Veterans. The 555th TFS of the Air Force performed more than 10,000 combat missions and achieved a 99% success rate on combat missions. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. According to U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The Veterans Benefits Administration usually takes 12-18 months to review new appeals and decide whether to grant some or all of the appeal. A Decision Review Officer (DRO) will review your appeal and if the new evidence submitted is not sufficient to grant the appeal, you will receive a Statement of the Case (SOC). Chisholm said he and like-minded attorneys representing veterans who served in Thailand are winning these cases one at a time, but with detailed evidence, detailed arguments, detailed affidavits. The Board does not find any reason in the record for finding this account by the Veteran not credible. Source: Citation Nr: 1222558 Decision Date: 06/28/12 Archive Date: 07/10/12 DOCKET NO. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. Agent Orange Thailand (February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975) Air Force Veteran who served at the Royal Thai Air Force Bases of U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat or at Don Muang as security policemen, security patrol dog handlers, or members of a security police squadron, or otherwise served near a base Research and testing of Agents Purple, Orange, White and Blue at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where some contamination of the soil was discovered in trace amounts. Eight Distinct Steps Most VA Disability Compensation Claims Follow Thank you Thailand veterans for your service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. The Department of Defense (DOD) has estimated that approximately 12,000 American military service members were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Korea during the Vietnam War. Even though Agent Orange was widely used in nearby countries, veterans who spent time in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia are not granted that presumptive In 1973, the base was turned over to the Royal Thai Air Force. Army Veteran who served on a Royal Thai Air Force Base who affirmatively state that they were involved with perimeter security duty as long as there is additional evidence to corroborate their statement. If you served in Thailand during this time period, the VA concedes that you were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides if you fit within any one of the following: While the VA concedes that you were exposed to Agent Orange if you served in Thailand in one of the above capacities, you may still qualify for Agent Orange compensation benefits if you can show that you were otherwise exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Thailand. VA Notice of Disagreement (NOD) Delaying VA Claim Decision Barrels of herbicides (AO) were buried under the runway at Bor Phai and not found until March, 1999. Source: Herbicide Use in Thailand The Relationship to the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Use in Vietnam and Laos. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. There were also 21 military bases used for storage during the war and up until the time that use of Agent Orange was discontinued in 1971. The documents show that the use of herbicide was recommended in 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1973. The VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicide use is irrelevant to federal law or regulations. 09-42 836, Other VA compensation claim resources on this website, VA Notice of Disagreement (NOD) Delaying VA Claim Decision, VA Compensation Claims Types of Material Evidence, Filing Online VA Compensation Claims with eBenefits, Eight Distinct Steps Most VA Disability Compensation Claims Follow, Sgt Dale Brandenburg Systems Repair Technician. You submit a claim, Harmon said. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961, and When the VA implemented FL 09-20 in 2009, it had no policy on herbicide exposure around Thailand base perimeters. In Thailand, there is extensive herbicide use on military bases. As some Thailand veterans see it, the VA places an undue burden of proof on them to demonstrate they were harmed by Agent Orange, in some cases asking for photographs or other evidence of physical proximity to harmful herbicides. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. These bases include: Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, U-Tapao, and Nakhom Phanom. Sen. Sherrod Brown supports theThailand Veterans Toxic Exposure Act, a version of which was included in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committees toxic exposure bill reported out of committee in May. WebThe Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), located on the eastern border of Thailand, was the host to Detachment 3 of the 6994th Security Squadron and eventually the The 435th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) was the unit that operated C-130s from Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. h#{mcXuXL] The aircrew of the American Combat Aviation Center provided high-altitude ground coverage for USAF aircraft while in Thai airspace. Shannon lives in Orlando with her husband and two sons. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Or is it 500 feet? Because all the perimeters were sprayed with various types of herbicides with dioxin in it. Veterans who served in Thailand have long contended they face a higher bar in winning Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits claims, having to clearly demonstrate they were exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful herbicides while their fellow veterans enjoy a presumption that they were exposed. There were 44 trucks destroyed in Laos by the 16th Special Operations Group (SOG) in 2016, accounting for 44 percent of all trucks destroyed there. Skinner said the denial was frustrating. These diseases, which were placed on a list for "presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange," include Parkinsons disease, Hodgkins disease, Ischemic heart disease, AL amyloidosis, chronic B-cell leukemia, multiple myeloma, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy. Were old news to them, Skinner said of the VA. Arnie Harmon, a Columbus-area veteran who served in Thailand, filed for compensation or a monthly stipend some 15 years ago at the urging of one of his physicians. This document contains false or misleading statements. including the Herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Map of the Munitions Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used to defoliate the thick jungle in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone. His living quarters were also close to a base perimeter, he recalled. Sen. Veterans Court vacates BVA decision denying veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at a Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in 1962. The VAs requirement that Thailand veterans prove their military service and experience working on the perimeter was excessive. the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB above, Official Department of the Air Force Map WebU.S. %PDF-1.5 An aerial application of the herbicide was completed and data was recorded. All Thailand veterans should be diagnosed with herbicide exposure as soon as possible. However, documentation and sworn statements by military personnel contradicted that position. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Map of the Flight Line, perimeter However, if the US Air Force in Thailand was required to She was a member of the University of Florida Law Review and published a case note on the Florida Privacy Amendment. I will continue the fight to get benefits for all veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals regardless of where they served.. Thats our job., Its still essentially a case-by-case basis, Chisholm said. In an interview, Skinner recalled that he was an aircraft mechanic on F4 Phantom jets while serving in Thailand. % This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 VA Compensation Claims Types of Material Evidence He claims in his article that herbicide was used prior to construction to defoliate compound perimeters, landing zones, and bases. Several reports show that Agent Orange and other herbicides were used and stored on numerous Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAFB) during the Vietnam War. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. The wing also flew humanitarian missions in Cambodia and Thailand. Cantonment area at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Nakhon Phanom - A Security Police Sentry Dog Handlers Perspective, Map of Webthe use of tactical herbicides (Agent Orange) on Thai Royal Air Force Bases and Thai Army Bases. Agent Orange Used on Bases in Thailand The C-123 aircraft that assisted with Operation Ranch Hand In addition, some U.S. Army veterans who provided perimeter security on those bases or who served with a military police unit may have Agent Orange Thailand exposure. The air force is responsible for the defense of Thai airspace and for providing air support to the Thai Army and Navy. The report specifically notes the significant use of Agent Orange Dubbed Operation Ranch Hand, millions of acres were being sprayed in Vietnam by the late 60s. at the Southeast area of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 8 - the The purpose of this project was to evaluate the herbicide Tordon in mixtures with Agent Orange, to determine if it would be a successful defoliant agent. Ubon Air Base was a US military facility located in Thailand from 1965 to 1974. Thailand provided air and ground bases to the United States, and soon became the largest station of the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia, with air bases at Don Muang RTAFB, Thailand, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, Ramasun Station, Thailand, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, Korat RTAFB, Thailand, and Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. If you meet this requirement, you do not need to prove actual exposure to Agent Orange to receive compensation for an illness that is caused by Agent Orange exposure. If your VA disability claim has been denied, we may be able to assist you. The uses of numerous herbicides at many sites were recorded, to include: During the Vietnam War, herbicides were also stored at military bases all over the world. Contact us to speak with an intake specialist for free. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Agent Blue was used from approximately 1973 to 1977 on the Air Force Base grounds. Spookily armed gunships were sent to Ubon as part of an interdiction mission over Laos. /X!`h8 p'Dwa.6jl(".l']qG":N"|{uM/ /;Cplh8;F>qy=P)5*!TIR=\.Cn V}9gp3:(gZ5xeB*gI If you believe you were exposed to Agent Orange in service, are suffering from one or more of the associated health conditions, and have been denied VA disability benefits, seek help now. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, by the governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States. As one of a group of chemicals referred to as the rainbow herbicides, Agent Orange served as the most well-known defoliant used in the Vietnam War. This letter rejecting Skinners claim cited an Aug. 2015 memo from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA), a memo that veteran Robert McHenry, a friend to Skinner and others, fought for years. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Poway, Calif. attorney Amanda Mineer recalled working on one case in which she and her team had to introduce into evidence a photo of a sailor taking a photographic selfie of himself on a ship as that ship crossed the equator, with barrels of Agent Orange nearby, visible in the photo. Some have won on appeal.. Veteran who served at U.S. Army base in Thailand were members of a military police unit or assigned a military police MOS and who affirmatively state that their duty placed them at or near the base perimeter. That presumption has been expanded to blue-water Navy veterans. It is located approximately 488 km (303 miles) northeast of Thailand, and 60 km (40 miles) east of Laos border. With the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the VA acknowledged that Vietnam War veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. Many times, VA denies Agent Orange usage because it cannot confirm spraying in certain locations. It was used to push enemy troops out of the jungles, forcing them to fight out in the open. the location of Udorn RTAFB, Map of B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with The documents show that herbicide shipments not associated with Rancho Hand were sent to and from Thailand. Despite the fact that the 13th BS was no longer manned or equipped, it remained operational until its demise on December 24, 1972. sappers attacked Ubon three times during the Vietnam War. While the DOD has confirmed that Agent Orange was sprayed in the areas listed in the section above, the VA does not automatically grant service connection for exposure to Agent Orange in these areas. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. you viewed to avoid repetition. You may be eligible for VA benefits, and we can help determine if your military duty during this time qualifies you for disability benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs response to Agent Orange exposure was ill-informed and made a series of errors. According to the VA, U.S. Air Force Veterans served at Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAF bases) at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Panom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base Agent Orange-related claims received by the Payment Program on average cost $3,800 per claim. VA keeps moving the goalposts regarding how and when it will concede exposure to Agent Orange for veterans who, For the past several years, the VA has acknowledged that veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam (including brown water veterans who served on the countrys inland waterways) were, Agent Orange Exposure and C-123 Aircraft U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed that eligible Vietnam War veterans are presumed to have experienced Agent Orange herbicide exposure between January 9,. The Rules established a number of restrictions on the use of herbicides in Southeast Asia. Among them: The Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act, the Cost of War Act, and others, including the Fairly Assessing Service-related Exposure Residual (FASTER) Presumptions Act, also dubbed the FASTER Act. Southeast Asias first F-4C Phantom II unit was formed in 1971 when the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron was formed. Beyond Vietnam: Other Military Areas Where Agent Orange was Used, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. Centerville resident McHenry died in July 2021 at the age of 74. <> The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. 5 unexploded charges were discovered, as well as two C-47s that had been damaged. A spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs declined an interview but offered to answer questions in writing. by Sappers at U-Tapao RTAFB, Return to the Batcat Veterans Benefit homepage. Some tenants provided Air Traffic Control services to the Ubon tower, which was owned by others. They (the VA) dont give you a definition of what the perimeter is, Harmon said. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Veterans Benefit, is If you set foot on a land mass (in Vietnam), youre entitled to a presumption that you have been exposed to herbicides, Rhode Island attorney Robert Chisholm said in an interview. RANCH HAND activities in Thailand necessitate the formation of similar Rules to those in Vietnam. He has to apply and use a catheter twice a day, something he expects to do for the rest of his life. The 435th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) was the unit that operated C-130s from Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. 4. Because of the governments inability to identify the veterans, Congress granted them the right to sue for libel. This is a developing area of the law, and we dont know where VA will eventually draw the line. So, if you served on one of those Thailand bases during the Vietnam-era, and you now suffer from one of those diseases recognized as being caused by herbicide exposure (such as diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, Hodgkins disease, prostate or respiratory cancer, Parkinsons Disease), it is worth filing a claim for VA benefits. But he sought (and seeks) compensation for pain and suffering. On February 5, 1973, an EC-47Q electronic warfare collection aircraft tail number 43-48636, Other VA compensation claim resources on this website. Orders placed prior to the date of shipment will be delivered as soon as possible. we represent clients nationwide. xr7]Uy#Ru!M+dco78@UmR@/4ve2>Ng7_?|bv=\|^OQmwgU+ Agent Orange and other herbicides were used in Thailand between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 He said he worked in areas close to base fencelines and perimeters, sometimes chaining down jets to run the engines, which would actually kick up dust and dirt everywhere around the aircraft.. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. The PACT Act has added the following five locations and corresponding time periods as presumptive for Agent Orange exposure: Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand. With facilities in Cambodia, India, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Canada, as well as at sea, Agent Orange was stored at many overseas locationas well as used for testing purposesup until 1970. What Is The Most Important Factor To Consider When Choosing A Tactical Flashlight? It is located in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Isan region of Thailand. You can also apply for benefits for other illnesses, but you will have to show a medical connection between herbicide exposure and your disability. Because of dense vegetation, the enemy was able to access the KC-135 parking ramp on Korat during the 1972 war, so it was regarded as a serious problem. LORAN-equipped 8th TFW F-4Ds are at the helm of this operation. WebSpecifically, the VA stated that the following veterans may have been exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange: U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and endobj Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Il propose des spectacles sur des thmes divers : le vih sida, la culture scientifique, lastronomie, la tradition orale du Languedoc et les corbires, lalchimie et la sorcellerie, la viticulture, la chanson franaise, le cirque, les saltimbanques, la rue, lart campanaire, lart nouveau. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. 877-222-8387, TDD (Hearing Impaired) Agent Orange exposure in Thailand during Vietnam War. After a brief hiatus, testing resumed in 1966 with the aerial application of Agent Orange taking place in Loquillo and Las Marias, PR. Im spending out of pocket about $6,000 to $6,500 a year in medications, he said.
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