Here, hopefully, I offer some useful Tips--
Like many people recommend, don't just use Agent Orange in your claim papers. Also use Herbicides. I used exposure to Agent Orange and other Herbicides through my paperwork to cover all bases in case the VA was picky, picky about using only Agent Orange. I've seen many postings about earlier claims being denied because Agent Orange (only) was used in claim paperwork. Use the phrase Agent Orange and other Herbicides should be fine and covers all bases.
I have never seen any solid statement from the VA about what they consider "near the perimeter".
According to two U.S. Army documents written in 1969 & 71 -----
One of them references 500 meters (1500+ feet) as the minimum distance to avoid damaging desirable vegetation.
The other one says about the same thing but references 1 - 2 kilometers which is about 1.24 miles.
Both of those documents states clearly in several places that Orange, Blue & White are not toxic to man and wildlife. That shows what they knew of the toxicity of AO back then. I feel that makes it more likley that it was used,at least some of the time, in other areas besides the perimeter.
One of those Army documents can be found at www.veteransvoteyourcause.com or you can do google searches.The other Army Document I refered to can be found if you do a google search on AD864362. It may take a little time to pop up. That report's name is Herbicides Used In Southeast Asia.
Good information in that one too.
I could send them to you if you have difficultity finding them.
The project Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report printed in 1973 has a good overhead photo of the entire base plus other Thailand bases. It was shot back in the 60's or very early 70's. Good photo. That photo of Takhli doesn't show distance scales but more recent Google Satelite photos do. These are not maps. They are actual photographs.That's much better than maps. The recent Google earth photos and the CHECO photo look the same for at least all the flightline areas of Takhli. Together they are good evidence photos that show estimated distances between points.You can you this as evidence showing the distances from the perimeters and where you worked. Valuable stuff for claim evidence. Couple that with "near the perimeter" as "defined" in those Army documents.
Aircraft took off from the North end heading South. Bomb dump was NW end of base according to other photos and maps and memory.
1
Message Thread | This response ↓
« Back to index | View thread »