The Veterans’ Voices program is broadcast live on CCTV the second Wednesday of every month at 12 pm. It is also live online at Facebook @Veteransvoices 1. You can also find an archive of past shows and show resources at www.contracosta.ca.gov/5163/Veterans-Voices. It is re-run multiple times on CCTV, which can be found on Comcast Channel 27, Wave Channel 32, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 throughout Contra Costa County.
Viewers can share their own experiences or ask a question by calling into the program at 925-313-1170. Questions and comments can also be left on Facebook @Veteransvoices1 or email veteransvoices@contracostatv.org before or during the live show.
I had the toxic exposure screening and was told there's no blood test or any other type of test. I've been telling the VA for 40 years I worked in Aviation and motor pool at Fort Campbell KY. to no avail. VA doesn't care about research and doesn't do Nexus despite directive 1134.
I was directed to clean the barracks with ammonia and bleach, had to go to sick call due to the odors. Doctor said my mucous membranes were severely damaged, is this considered "toxic exposure"?
Why do you not recommend preparing your own claim. I have to wait 3 months to see a VSO and when you do they are not knowledgeable or helpful. The VA need to make the process easier and or provide help directly through the VA with preparing your claim.
are higher level review informal conferences usually in person or by phone? My request for informal conference was ignored and decision made without conference.
Yes. VA has access to Marine Corps reserve records from 1977-1996, and they have a duty to assist the Veteran by requesting these records through the National Personnel Record Center in St. Louis Missouri during the claim process.
Thank you for your comment. We would strongly encourage you to seek help through an accredited Veteran Service Organization such as the California Department of Veteran Affairs or Swords to Plowshares to advise on Veteran disability claims rather than hire a lawyer. Veterans Service Organizations will provide advice free of charge.
You can talk to a lawyer and give him your information( no cost), then if he shows interest you know you have a viable claim , you can proceed on your won or through a VSO.
This is a response for @modoc852( who removed a comment) : When the VA passed the PACT Act in 2022, they were essentially inviting claims from anyone that believed that they were exposed to toxins in the military. Some toxin exposures are presumed to have taken place in certain areas and some are not. For those toxins or exposures that are not currently recognized by the VA it is best to seek a medical nexus before filing the claim. Below is a list of presumed exposures and conditions as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations. www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf
They say you get a "screening" but all you get is a few questions and you are told to come back in 5 years. They don't check your blood, they don't check your health records, they don't check your conditions. It is a joke to hire all these people to do nothing for the veteran. Veterans continue to suffer and eventually die with no benefits. The life expectancy of these veterans is very short so the VA loves to wait and give no benefits or assistance. I had to do my own research, pay for my own blood work, and see my own doctors, psychologist, and psychiatrist.
Thank you for the comment. It is this precise reason that we would recommend that you meet with a County Veteran Service Representative in addition to the VA medical screening. It is in that meeting that recommendations can be made on how to go about obtaining the diagnosis necessary for a VA disability claim.
Why are you not talking about us army fort McClellan, AL.....that soldiers got highly contaminated NBC elements......which the government is trying to close the hatch to this army post.... I know this because I served in that post and suffering some many illnesses.... yet there is no response to this......
Walnut Creek CA. Is a systemically racist city. From the lying racist Contra Costa County fire department who will frame innocent law abiding minorities by starting small fires “investigating” them then determining the “suspect” to be an innocent law abiding minority. Then they will team with the lying racist Walnut Creek police department to harass and surveil the innocent law abiding minority to the fullest extent of the “law”. These are two taxpayer funded commissioners approved city leaders sanctioned white supremacy hate groups. These are proud criminals. Jesus Christ is the answer.
There was something going on at Fort Dix New Jersey. There were multiple outbreaks of URI after being out in the field. In 1982 I believe they had the temporarily suspend basic training because there was a URI epidemic. How to build multiple health problems because of this I ended up in the hospital along with several others in my company after being in the field. Is there an attorney out there who has stones enough to go after the US government because of this?
You start with your STR's you look for anything and everything. I became severely sick in basic at Fort Jackson in 1982 didn't make my first claim till 2018 it hasn't been easy but I haven't given up.
I was exposed to toxins 100%. So in order to get the VA’s toxic screening, you have to enroll in VA healthcare. I got denied for VA healthcare because my income is too high. The PACT Act is a scam because it shouldn’t matter when, where, or how you were exposed to toxins, so long as it happened during active service. The TERA toxic exposure screening is a scam because the amount of your income shouldn’t matter BECAUSE YOU WERE EXPOSED TO TOXINS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ALL VETERANS WITH HEALTHCARE IF THEY WERE INJURED WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY. I’m going to apply for VA disability this year. I sure hope they don’t deny me because I make too much money already.
Thanks for the presentation and valuable information. Is this program of identification of toxic exposure actively available for Puerto Rico veteran community?
The VA supports veterans living both in the U.S. and overseas-to include territories such as Puerto Rico. As long as you served in the United States Army and meet eligibility standards by the VA, you should be fine to make a claim!
All honorably discharged veterans should get E-1 base pay for life or their disability rating, whichever is higher. All 100 percent P&T should automatically get SSDI
THE VA'S HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CAMPLEJEUNE'S VICTIMS MARINES & COMPENSATION 1950'S 1960'S 1970'S 1980'S THEY START WITH 1950'S THEN 1960'S AND 1970'S 1980
What this, my husband did two tours in Vietnam, came down with prostate cancer as a result of Agent Orange, and a Lipoma nodules on his back area and being his wife, I came down with lipoma. Also my side size of a baseball. VA did surgery on me is result because I was told that agent orange can be transferred through semen. Is that true so what I’ll be eligible if I came down with stomach cancer
It is not a surprised attack if you read as known as "The Hull note", officially the Outline of Proposed Basis for Agreement Between the United States and Japan, was the final proposal delivered to the Empire of Japan by the United States of America before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt must have been expecting being attack also after Roosevelt sent "American Flying Tiger" in August 1941 that was 4 months before Pearl Harbor preemptive strike. Also the US elicited a lot of information by decoding the Japanese internal communication. I don't understand why Roosevelt didn't informed what he must have known.
Please speak with a VSO who is trained to assist veterans and answer questions related to VA disability compensation. You can also click this link to find your local County Veteran Service Officer. www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/
In this clip kidney cancer is mentioned. I have filed for bladder cancer and specifically been denied based on "kidney cancer" and not sure what to do next. Filed 8/21 witdenial after appeal.
For those that might want to pursue an appeal, see our August, 2024 episode: "The VA denied My claim Now What?" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QVrzWXbcaUg.htmlsi=1OVJY2qrNaiK2d58
Not a Pact Act issue but a Viet Nam issue. Me - US Army Combat Engineer 12C Viet Nam 1969. Prostate cancer diagnosis 2016 with Stage 4 prostate cancer as of May 2022. Radiation, surgeries & ongoing medications. Kaiser docs say I will die with it or of it. 100% disability since July 2022 and as of this year I get addl $130/mo for loss of use of a reproductive member because the treatments made me impotent (in 2022). VA says prostate cancer is curable so guys like me get a C&P exam every year! - more of a nuisance than anything. Still waiting for my dependent (wife) compensation; its been 14 months of delays. Regardless - thank you Uncle Sam and the Veterans Admin. God bless America. PS - I also have a 10% for back injury, the prostate issue causes me frequent unination, and the treatments give me sweats like hot flashes every two hours day and night. Could be worse.
Sorry to hear about everything going on. Regarding the 14 months of delay, have you spoken to a VSO about this issue? If not, you can utilize the VSO search tool available via eBenefits. Perhaps a VSO will be able to take care of this situation and get everything squared away.
They really need to revisit the places of exposure to agent orange. A lot of equipment and munitions, etc. coming out of the areas mentioned, we’re being sent for storage and whatever else to other military installation’s had agent orange residue on stuff.
Unfortunately Soviets stole 1000s of our pows, & USA abandoned them in WW1, WW2, Korean, & Vietnam wars. Surreal but true POWs books: 1) abandoned in place-Lynn O'shea. 2) An enormous crime-Bill Hendon.. There are several documentaries-videos (see my YT-Channel's video playlist on Alied/USA intentionally sacrificed pows). I know, it's Like the twilight zone! Why abandon?: A) USA chief policy was 2 avoid a shooting war with USSR & Socialist, thus never directly confronted, & never when public (rather suppressed); B) technical knowledge. Soviets/North Korea Wanted prison labor, engineered-systems, and to (forcing r POWs at gun point to) reverse engineer our pilot's advanced planes. C) propaganda campaigns. D) $$ Embarrassment. Socialist planed to charge USA "reconstruction-aid" after war... defacto Millions per POW... E) demoralize the Armed Forces & agonized the US public by never returning all military POWS and unlucky civilians. Enraging! The USA does not pay for hosteges, thus 🇺🇸 buried our POWS (from 4 Wars) & evidence. LOTS of foreigners, in all the 1900s, in the Gulag, (Boris yelson admitted 1992) forsaken by their (Western) governments! Depressing and Surreal!
Sorry we do leave men Behind in WW1, WW2, Korean, & Vietnam wars. Surreal but true: Books: "Enormous Crime"-by Bill Hendon. Want proof see 12 documentaries videos my RU-vid playlist. Book: Also 2-"Abandon in-Place" by-Lynn O'shea.
The DOD knows that Agent Orange and many other toxins were used in Panama. I have shipping documents that prove Agent Orange was sent to Panama, stored in Panama, and definitely used in Panama. There are pictures of the barrels there with the orange strip on them. Donna Tornoe, who lived in the Panama, witnessed the use of Agent Orange. She wrote a book and gave all the details of the use of toxins in Panama. These toxins date back to building of the Panama Canal. Her book, "The Travel of Orange" is guide map to prove the military lied about the use of Agent Orange and other toxins. There is a bill in Congress right now that would support Panama Veterans. It is the Panama Canal Zone Act of 2023. It is HR 2447. Help us get that passed please. I developed cancer (soft tissue cancer Sarcoma). I have kidney diseases, Diabetes, HEart problems, and damaged lungs. (6 liters of oxygen.
you guys seem pretty aggressive. The VSO 's in Wisconsin are pretty timid. I thoough the VSO was your voice to the VA. I have stage kidney failure. It won't get better. I have been waiting for almost a year. I have found the PACT Act is so very confusing. Even the VSO's get confused. I have called the VBA numerous times and every time I call I get a different answer.
If you think I sound aggressive you could be right. If we weren't fighting for our lives here I would share the whole story and the way they treat vets. This panel is breaking their arms patting their own backs.
