Veteran Issues Digest Number 1749

[admin]

1. FW: PTSD Stressor Change in Policy

Posted by: "Colonel Dan" colonel-dan@sbcglobal.net coloneldan1

Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:48 am (PST)



_____

From: Robert P. Walsh [mailto:rpwalsh@sbcglobal. net]

well over due

Proof of stressor is no longer required if there is a diagnosis of SC PTSD.

see the Senate Vet Affairs link
http://veterans. senate.gov/ public/index. cfm?pageid= 12
<http://veterans. senate.gov/ public/index. cfm?pageid= 12&release_ id=11549>
&release_id= 11549

also see VA WatchDog article
http://vawatchdog. org/08/nf08/ nfFEB08/nf021908 -8.htm

>
> PTSD victims no longer need to prove trauma
>
>
> By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
> Posted : Monday Feb 18, 2008 16:45:50 EST
>
> The Veterans Affairs Department has dumped a policy requiring combat
> vets to verify in writing that they have witnessed or experienced a
> traumatic event before filing a claim for post-traumatic stress
> disorder, said the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
>
> "This change provides a fairer process for veterans with
> service-connected PTSD," Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said in a
> written statement. It "leaves claim adjudicators more time to devote
> to reducing the staggering backlog of veterans' claims."
>
> In the past, a veteran has had to provide written verification - a
> statement from a commander or doctor, or testimony from co-workers -
> that he or she was involved in a traumatic situation in order to
> receive disability compensation for PTSD from VA. The Defense
> Department uses the same rules in evaluating PTSD for disability
> retirement pay.
>
> In Iraq, troops joke about keeping a pen and paper on hand in case
> they witness a shooting or explosion or are injured themselves. That
> way, they can run around and have all their buddies sign a quick
> statement saying it really happened. The joke loses steam when a
> Marine has to prove he was involved in a traumatizing event when he
> had a hand blown off in that event, or when a soldier has to prove he
> watched his friends die to qualify for benefits.
>
> The rule also slows the process as veterans wait for yet more
> documentation before their claims may be processed.
>
> Akaka said he asked VA Secretary James Peake if the rule was
> necessary, and asked that it be removed. Peake agreed.
>
> "I am pleased that the secretary took quick action to reverse this
> requirement after it was brought to his attention," Akaka said.
>
> In the future, veterans will be diagnosed with PTSD through a medical
> examination with no further proof necessary, Akaka said, adding that
> he's been told that Peake has already informed VA regional offices of
> the decision.
>
> VA officials were not immediately available for comment Monday, a
> federal holiday.
>




2. Emailing: US Military Bases Known To Be Contaminated

Posted by: "Colonel Dan" colonel-dan@sbcglobal.net coloneldan1

Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:13 am (PST)

http://www.gmasw. com/ao_bases. htm

<http://www.gmasw. com/aotalk1. htm> BIO_HAZ2 Logo

Life in the Times
Bases Known To Be Contaminated (ca. 1992)

* US Military Bases Known To <http://www.gmasw. com/ao_bases. pdf> Be
Contaminated (ca. 1992)(PDF Document)

* Other Places Known <http://www.gmasw. com/aoout2. pdf> To Be
Contaminated by Herbicides (2006)(PDF Document 330K)

* Agent Orange Ranch Hand <http://www.gmasw. com/ao_amts4. pdf> Amounts
PDF Document

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in Microsoft Excel (XLS) File

* Download Chemical List in <http://www.gmasw. com/chemlist. doc>
Microsoft Word Format

The following 59 U.S. military bases were suffering from significant water
or soil contamination a year ago, according to the Department of Defense's
interpretation of its latest hazardous waste survey. DoD officials say not
every base suffering such contamination is on the list, because information
was not available for all bases. The list is based on the latest status
report for DoD's Installation Restoration Program.

The IRP report contains no explanation of the problems at each base, so we
asked each service to provide details. The Army did so. The Navy Chief of
Information refused to help us gather the information. Air Force Public
Affairs could not provide the information by our deadline, but we will
publish it as soon as it becomes available. We gathered information on some
of these missing bases from EPA and a DoD report to Congress on "Superfund"
sites. LIFE IN THE TIMES cannot vouch for the accuracy or completeness of
the information that was provided.

Army

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Essentially every land portion of the Edgewood, MD, area (on which a portion
of the base is located) Is contaminated or potentially contaminated.
Monitoring in 1977-78 indicated contamination of surface and ground water.
Four standby wells were shut down in 1983 due to detected organic compounds.
The base's active drinking water supplies come from two off-post sources.
Deer Creek and Winters Run, unaffected by contamination on base.

Fort A.P. Hill, VA
There are three problems. A herbicide contaminated the soil near an old
pesticide storage building. The soil has been placed in sealed drums.
Second, herbicide and dioxin Contaminated soil and debris are stored at a
base warehouse in 33-gallon drums inside sealed 55-gallon drums. A study
will be done to recommend an environmentally sound method of permanent
disposal. Third, the base plans to remove some 70 tons of soil contaminated
by DDT. The base water comes from a deep aquifer and is not contaminated,
the Army says.

Fort Belvoir, VA
Several contaminants - benzene, trichloroethylene, chloroform, toluene,
ethylbenzene, and 1-2-dichloroethane - have seeped from the Building 324
tank farm into an unnamed creek. None of these contaminants was detected in
surface water at the installation boundary, and no health hazard is
apparent, the Army, says. Post drinking water comes from the Fairfax County
Water Authority.

Fort Devens, MA
A sanitary landfill that is a potential source of contamination is being
closed. It was used as an open burning site, then for incineration of waste
and burial of residues. Water quality meets state standards.

Fort Dix, NJ
Nine potentially contaminated sites are known. One, the sanitary landfill,
was placed on the National Priority (Superfund) List due to the presence of
organic solvents. However, the Army says no significant health hazards have
been identified. To avoid any risk, the landfill may be capped with clean
soil and vegetated with grass. The other eight sites were identified only
recently. Organic solvents and/or petroleum products were located at an old
magazine area, a tank farm, a fire station, the golf course, a motor pool, a
firing range, a pesticide storage building, and a National Guard facility.
Investigation is under way to determine any problems. The sites to not
endanger the base water supply according to the Army.

Fort Lewis, WA
There are two problems: One, is Landfill No. 5. Plans call for a landfill
liner and leachate collection to preclude ground water contamination. There
are also plans for a refuse-fired incinerator to reduce reliance in the
landfill. Also trichloroethylene (TCE) has been found in the ground water
beneath the Logistics Center. Post drinking water comes from a spring
unrelated to that aquifer.

Fort McClellan, AL
Ten old training areas and three former disposal sites have a slight chance
of subsurface contamination from mustard agent and its breakdown products
and possible byproducts of chemical agent decontamination. Only very small
quantities of agent were used and all sites have been closed, decontaminated
and fenced. No evidence of any surface or surface water contamination has
been found in the past, the Army says. The post receives its water from the
city of Anniston.

Redstone Arsenal, AL
A $30 million cleanup was recently completed by Olin Corp, which made DDT in
a leased factory that was closed in 1970 for environmental reasons.
Manufacturing waste was contaminating soils and streams. DDT was found in
the wildlife food chain but not in potable water supplies inside or outside
the base. In addition, the presence of PCBs. heavy metals, while phosphorous
and other organic compounds is known or suspected. An investigation is under
way to determine if they contaminated the active sanitary landfill, a DDT
waste landfill, open burning and detonation grounds, and 22 old disposal
sites. Also, a $5 million program is in progress to remove all asbestos from
post buildings.

Navy

Brunswick NAS, ME

A study is under way to determine contaminants and their migration habits.

Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center, NJ
Soil and shallow ground water at the tetraethyl lead disposal site are
contaminated, perhaps from aviation fuel. The ground water in some areas is
covered with a 6-inch layer of JP-Fuel. Elsewhere, the carcinogen
nitronomine may be present. Waste oils, battery acid, and solvents are
suspected of having been discharged into some dry wells. The soil
stabilization field test received 362 gallons of aniline and 161 of furfural
(toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption), and ferric choride
solution; personnel and animals that come in contact with the soil may be
endangered. A landfill received thousands of gallons of hydraulic fluids,
five tons of asbestos, and also cutting oils, solvents, sludge. and heavy
metals. A site for PCB testing and storage is near the environmentally
sensitive Ridgeway Branch. The western portion of the base may be
contaminated by ordnance: shells, gas-loaded projectiles, phosgene,
phosphorus, mustard agent, explosives, flares, and depth bombs. The shallow
aquifer in this area may also be contaminated.

Moffett Field NAS, CA
The major contaminants in the ground water are volatile organic compounds.

Whidbey Island NAS, WA
The ground water could be contaminated. Waste oil, solvents, fuel, and
caustic rinse water containing heavy metals have been discharged through the
storm sewer system and into Dugella Bay. Waterfowl and fish that feed or
live in drainage's may be affected. Subsurface migration at the seaplane
base may have affected fish or shellfish in Oak and Crescent Harbors. A
backup well at Ault Field is threatened by potential migration of
contaminants.

Other Navy bases:

China Lake, CA
Indian Head NOS, MD
Jacksonville NAS, FL
Miramar NAS, CA
Pabmont River NAS, MD
Roosevelt Roads NS, Puerto Rico

Air Force

Castle AFB, CA
On-base drinking water supply has been contaminated with trichloroethylene
(TCE). Work is under way to install a new well drawing from a deeper,
uncontaminated aquifer.

Dover AFB, DE
Ground on the is contaminated with arsenic and other metals, and a stream on
base is contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). The base well, however,
is free of these contaminants. Remedial action has been under way since
1985.

Griffiss AFB, NY
Phenols, ethyl benzene, and benzene have been detected in ground water on
base, and toulene in surface water on base.

Hill AFB, UT
Seepage water near two disposal areas contains toxic organic chemicals, such
as trichloroethylene (TCE), 1-2 dichloroethane, and 1,1,1 trichlorethane.
None of the affected water is used for human consumption. Remedial action to
date includes construction of a slurry wall and landfill covers as well as
pumping and treating contaminated ground water.

Mather AFB, CA
Water in 36 homes was affected by trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination of a
well on base. A new permanent water supply is to be provided to these homes.

McChord AFB, WA
Various chemicals -- methylene chloride, chloroform, benzene, arsenic,
chromium, and mercury -- have been detected in test wells and in surface
drainage leaving the base. One site is a liquid waste spill next to the wash
rack and industrial waste treatment system. Contracted work for the American
Lake Gardens Water Supply Project began in 1985; a contractor installed
shallow wells and one deep well.

McClellan AFB, CA
An estimated 160 sites have been identified. Contaminants include organic
compounds, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), methylene chloride, and 1-1
dichloreythlene. Wells both on and off base that had contaminants exceeding
government standards have been shut down. McClellan is considered a leader
in cleanup efforts. Completed projects include alternate water supply for
off base residents and a ground water containment system and treatment
plant.

Norton AFB, CA
Trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in concentrations exceeding state
drinking water standards. All base wells were contaminated to various
degrees with silver and tetrachlorethylene (PCE). Closure of a lagoon and
sludge removal was begun several years ago.

Robins AFB, GA
Contaminants include halogenated solvents, heavy metals, pesticides (DDT,
chordane, etc.), cyanide, and oil products. The toxic organic compounds
trichloroethylene (TCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) have been detected in
ground water on base. Ground water is not used as drinking water, but the
contaminants could eventually appear in surface water.

Tinker AFB, OK
Some base wells were closed due to contamination from chlorinated solvents.
Chlorinated solvents were also detected in the aquifer that is the primary
water source in the region. Organic compounds have been detected at all
sites, though migration is limited. Remedial action begun in 1984, includes
capping landfill No. 6, and stopping leaks from underground storage tanks at
the fuel farm.

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Fourteen organic compounds, including trichloroethylene (TCE) and
tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in relatively high quantities have been found in
wells serving the base. Nearly half the 17 wells have been shut down due to
contamination or age. An air stripper has been put on two wells to remove
the organics, and installation of two other strippers is planned.

Other Air Force bases:

Beale AFB, CA
Chanute AFB, IL
Charleston AFB, SC
Columbus AFB, MS
Edwards AFB, CA
England AFB, LA
F.E. Warren AFB, WY
George AFB, CA
Hanscorn AFB, MA
Hickam AFB, HI
Kelly AFB, TX
Lowery AFB, CO
Luke AFB, AZ
Kirtland AFB, NM
Langley AFB, VA
MacDill AFB, FL
McGuire AFB, NJ
Moody AFB, GA
Mountain Home AFB, ID
Otis AG Base, MA
Pope AFB, NC
Pease AFB, NH
Plattsburgh AFB, NY
Reese AFB, TX
Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
Shemya, AL
Travis AFB, CA
Vandenburg AFB, CA
Wurtsmith AFB, MI

Top <>

_____

Gary D. Moore
5161 Howard Road
Smiths Creek MI 48074-2023
USA

Update: September 23, 2007

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