How does the change in Burn Pit registry affect Sailors on ships at sea navigating through burning oil wells?

MCPO Hilary Kunz — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 12:25:35 -0400

I recently read, and then lost, an article about ships at sea in the Gulf being added to the registry.
How does this affect me, that’s my question. I’m already SC for acute rhinitis and loss of sense of smell, 94+% cumulative, 100% U/I.

I was on the USS Bonhomme Richard (yes, I know it’s misspelled, I’ve talked before about how bad the commissioning CO was, he misspelled it on purpose, minus 10 points on the crew morale scale) in 2000 while we were in the Gulf.

Are there medical treatments or protocols that the VA has developed to help? It’d be nice to smell my wife’s wonderful dinners.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 1:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:10:44 -0400

I'd recommend you start here:

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp

And, I would like to ask....On your profile you have yourself making CPO in '85, then Ensign in '87, then SCPO in '88, then LTJG in '89 then MCPO 91. Are you a retired MCPO or a retired Officer?

registry.asp

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 18 at 2021 7:35 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 07:35:29 -0400

Answer the questionnaire for the registry. The worst they can say is you don't qualify. VA's just going to deny or low ball everyone for a couple of decades anyway.