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SGT Michael Thorin
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Every VAMC has, tucked away somewhere, a Persian Gulf Illness Clinic. At the Birmingham VAMC, it is in the Agent Orange Clinic.

I started researching this when my problems began, and on the VA's website, it lays out in detail the presumptive illnesses from service in that Theater of Operations.

It gives the step by step process of getting into that clinic and how to get a Persian Gulf Ilness Physical Examination.while this exam does not actually provide a "disability compensation" itself, it does provide the proof that your issues are service connected.

It was, however, a nightmare getting the exam scheduled, because it has to go through your PCP. My PCP said the program did not exist, because she never heard of it. I had to go to that clinic and get a card to give her the instructions on how to get me in.

Everyone I ran into during this process were extremely helpful, but I was definitely left with the impression that this was not common knowledge, and there still is no readily available info.

I am now getting excellent care for my respiratory, neurological, muscular and fatigue problems, along with PTSD. While it may be too late for my lungs now, my problems may help other soldiers. I intend to post an article this week on how to make sure you get care if you are an OEF/OIF Vet suffering unknown medical issues.
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
Sgt Joe LaBranche
8 y
Nice informative post, SGT Michael Thorin! I always advise the veterans I work with to conduct research on illnesses and symptoms from their specific war.
I look forward to your post on the OEF/OF medical issues.
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
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What's up with this kind of shit these days? Military has to stop this testing shit. Hell use those ISIS bastards instead. Who gives a shit about them anyways!
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
Sgt Joe LaBranche
8 y
Big business lobby and pay politicians to test their materials and weapons on the battlefield with no prior R & D or concern for the impact it has on the veteran and/or family members!
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Sgt David G Duchesneau
8 y
They should use those bastards too. Then let's see how much testing is done and how they like it?
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LTC Stephen F.
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That is incredibly sad and despicable Sgt Joe LaBranche. I am sick and tired of learning about what was intended to do some positive good turns out to be poisonous to those involved - going back to asbestos and then Agent orange.
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
Sgt Joe LaBranche
8 y
Wouldn't you think they would test weapons and chemicals prior to delivering them to the battlefield? As a veteran it makes you feel abandoned my our own government. Corporations push their produces on the politicians for big money. The veterans are being sold down the river my big business and our political leaders! Everyone who wants to run for office should be required to serve two years in the military. These politicians are clueless as to what goes on in combat and the negative aftereffects of the decisions they make at the suggestion of big corporations. We fight, while they fill their pockets!
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
8 y
Sgt Joe LaBranche - All weapons, except the earliest nuclear ones, have been tested prior to use Sgt Joe LaBranche.
On the other hands the chemical products and herbicides which are not intended as weapons sometimes are the ones that cause the most long term harm. Sometimes that is because problems don't show up until after 10 years or more and other times the ability to test thoroughly didn't exist when the chemicals were used [asbestos and Agent Orange].
One thing that most testers never fully consider is what Joe Snuffy and his leaders will concoct when on operational missions.
The burn pits is a prime example. Putting all sorts of stuff into a pit and burning it is crazy. I bet some people knew what they were burning openly should never have been burned outside an incinerator with filters. Many of those were on the ground when they were burning the waste.
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