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Veterans Review Board recognized my cancer is from bosnia

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Sherb

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My decision stated that my cancer is 5/5's ( 100 %) attributable to my peace-keeping duties in Bosnia. I was there with SFOR roto 8 and shortly upon my return showed strong signs of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Within three years I was diagnosed stage 3b and after more than two and a half years of treatment, including a bone-marrow transplant the canceris now deemed terminal. I have been in contact with quite a number of serving and ex-members who have experienced similar health problems.

I think I may have been the first to get a decision for cancer specifically. There was no specific causality in the decision, but the evidence I used was actually statements the head of DMedPol had made regarding depleted uranium. How this all works out for other guys, I don't know.

But I thought this might be of some interest. Here are two links from the Italian National Police (Carabinieri) website. They've lost 120 and have 200 more terminal with about 3000 members with serious ailments.


http://www.carabinieri-unione.it/unac/news_detail.asp?id_nw=629

http://www.carabinieri-unione.it/unac/speciali_detail.asp?id_spec=103

these went up last friday and have already had 900 of their members contact them.
 
That a huge number.....why is that not reflected in other countries claims? Were they in closer contact/handling differently?
 
It is a big number and that seems to be raw data not to weaken their claims but of course some of them would have developed ailments no matter where or what they did.

They sent over about 120 000 troops if I recall (as opposed to the same guys going on 4 roto's) and the casualties are perhaps reflective of the high number. Greece immediately pulled their troops out when cancer started popping up and they have kept quiet about the whole thing.

I get the feeling most armies and their governments are not going to give honest facts about casualties from conflict areas. Ever try getting a pension approved by VAC?

Here is what our own Auditor General thinks of the way DND maintains its health records:

http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/aud_ch_oag_2007_4_e_23828.html

Our medical staff is not even close to being organized, certified and our record keeping is archaic. Please note that my view on this is it's an organizational problem, not an individual Medic of MD's fault.

However... Interest that the Head of Defence Medicine Policy retired the same month my decision came out.
http://www.forces.gc.ca/dsa/app_Bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyViewBiling_e.asp?mAction=View&mBiographyID=309

Go to the cbc website and google "Ken Scott"

I'm not even sure I care what gave me cancer, but having received a favourable decision I would love to share this information with anyone who has claim in process or is considering one. The politicians can figure the rest of it out.



 
I have been in the appeal process with VA, since 2002, when I was first refused my pension for cancer. I figured I had been exposed to something in Bosnia or Africa in the late 90s or 2000.  In 2002 I was diagnosed with Hodgekins stage 4B. It took the military almost 7 months to diagnose the lumps on my next and armpit.

I served in Coralici, Zgon, and V.K. and travelled extensively in the AOR and the British AOR.

Hopefully with this out in the open it should help me receive a favourable settlement.

My big concern is how many Canadians that served in the Balkans are coming down with Cancer and aren't putting the pieces together to see that it may be caused by an operational tour.
 
Whats interesting is I know Sherb. We have been talking now for about a year. There is a man with alot of drive and intestinal fortitude. It takes alot of courage to stand up to VA for himself and others who are or are going to become ill.
What most people dont realize is that if we dont get this sorted out now, others will pay later for it.  There are soldiers out there who have contracted cancer and have served in the Balkans and have not put 2 and 2 together to get the answer.
They need to do their research like Sherb has done.
I admire the man for all he has done.  Because of him my case may soon be resolved in a favourable verdict :salute:
 
I know of at least 3 persons who have contracted gastro-intestinal diseases after their tours, at least one of which was linked to some form of bauxite/uranium type poisoning.  Not sure if they are linked to the cases you are discussing...
 
MY cousin had serious gastro issue after his tour in Croatia  (tainted earth issue used for the sand bagging) perhaps this could be the in used form those individuals to get what they are entitled to now as well...
 
The bauxite and PCB sandbag problem seems to to a separate issue. That seemed to be rife with sloppy covering up from the beginning ie medical chits being removed from pers files, etc. I've heard (reliably) that up to 1400 members were actually pensioned out in the mid-90's.

The cancers seem to be something else. Mostly hematological cancers ie leukemia, lymphoma. The other various ailments are much more difficult to diagnose. Doctors don't like tagging things unless it relates to 100,00's, so it is extremely difficult to get them to notice a few cancers popping up at each base. Our own culture of disliking malingerers and people not applying for pensions does not help the problem. We just seem to like taking our ball and going home.

But as we move forward using modern materials and into third world countries which don't regulate their own contaminants, the General's and VAC are doing a poor job recognizing that environmental toxins are a very real danger with long term consequences.
 
Sherb said:
But as we move forward using modern materials and into third world countries which don't regulate their own contaminants, the General's and VAC are doing a poor job recognizing that environmental toxins are a very real danger with long term consequences.
Click to expand...

Ive brought this up before with the VAC when I retired in that members need access to past and recent case results.  A database would not only help members identify unexplained ailments but also assist with member efforts to gather evidecne and improve presentation of information. 

However, this has three significant issues (well, actually several more, but I'll just list the top three):
1.) Scrubbing documents of private information prior to release, which is time consuming and costly.
2.) Helps members win their cases, costing the VAC more money. 
3.) Prone to exploitation for fraudulent injury cases if not controlled properly.

 
Greymatters said:
I know of at least 3 persons who have contracted gastro-intestinal diseases after their tours, at least one of which was linked to some form of bauxite/uranium type poisoning.  Not sure if they are linked to the cases you are discussing...
Click to expand...

I speak for a friend who has ongoing gut problems from bauxite from filling sandbags etc. Thats was 1992 in the FRY. Will this lead to further complicatins later in life? Only time will tell.


OWDU.
 
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