About the Chairman | About the Committee | Committee News | Committee Hearings | Committee Documents | Committee Legislation | VA Benefits | VA Health Care | Veterans' Links | Democrat's Home Page | Contact the Committee

In 1970 I left the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama completing my training as an Ammunition Records Specialist(76m20). I arrived in QuiNhon Vietnam and began my duties at the Ammunition Depot located between QuiNhon

and Ankhe Vietnam. My duties were to climb onto Korean flatbed trucks and count the ammo that was coming from the ships offshore. I then prepared a TCMD document making sure the ammo went to it’s proper destination. Many times the trucks carried barrels that were not listed on the paper work I received from the drivers. Some barrels were completely orange in color while others had an Orange stripe. The strange thing about these barrels was that the rubber ring around the top of the lids were eaten away causing the fluid to spill out. These fluids would get all over me causing me to have to change clothing several times a night. It would be many years before I would learn what was contained in those barrels. I do know one thing when this liquid fell on the grass or leaves it sounded like eggs frying in a frying pan.

I was in Vietnam several months when I noticed 2 large cystic tumors on my face. I tried to get them removed but the doctors at the hospital refused stating there were to many diseases in country. So I got antibiotics from some of the medics. There was not much if any documentation on this since this was a combat zone and not General Hospital.

I came home from Vietnam in 1971. I went to the Portsmouth Va. Naval Hospital due to another large cyst tumor appearing on my stomach. They drained it and gave me antibiotics. Since I was Army and not Navy or Marine they didn’t like treating me. This was the nearest military hospital to my home.

It would be several years before I would move to Vinton Virginia outside of Roanoke. I went to the Salem Virginia VA Medical Hospital to have those 2 large cystic tumors removed on my face. I would also get about a hundred smaller cystic tumors on my body along with a lot of rashes on my legs, chest and face. The larger cystic tumors caused my lymph glands to swell making it hard to walk or raise my arms. The smaller ones I would remove myself making sure to sterilize every needle.

In 1988 I was asked to sign up on the Agent Orange Registry and go to the VA Hospital in Salem Va. for an Agent Orange Exam. The doctor never asked me to remove any clothing. He shared with me that he was a Korean War POW and he thought that Vietnam Veterans were asking for to much. I felt belittled and hurt since I never received the examination.

I went ahead an filed a claim at the VA office in Roanoke Va. The VA counselor didn’t know what to put down as the condition. I told him my lymph glands would swell each time I got these cystic tumors so he said we will put down Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Lymph gland condition. I didn’t know what that was. The real name of my condition would not be added to the list of conditions until 1993. Cloracne caused by heavy exposure to Agent Orange. Most physicians do not know what Cloracne is to this date! I do know this it is a terrible skin condition that causes massive scarring. It causes terrible itching, swelling, draining and affects my nervous system at times. I lost 5 years in back pay compensation after my claim was approved due to the counselor putting down the wrong condition.

In 1993 I was notified that I didn’t have Soft Tissue Sarcoma and I would have to file another claim. I then filed another claim under Cloracne. My claim would be denied in 1994 because the VA said I hadn’t shown that it had occured while on active duty.

1n February of 1995 on appeal I was sent for my first Compensation and Pension Exam by a government dermotologist where I was diognosed with Cloracne caused by heavy exposure to Agent Orange. In May of 1995 I was told to have another Compensation and Pension Exam. I again was diognosed with Cloracne caused by heavy exposure to Agent Orange. My claim was denied again in September of 1995. The VA stated that the evidence of record did not establish a basis for service connection for Cloracne. They did Service connect me for Sebacaceous Cyst less than 10% service connection.

In 1998 my claim went to the BVA and came to Washington, D.C. for a hearing.

My attorney from the American Legion stated that my case was a piece of cake. She stated that I met all the requirements of Title 38 and there was no reason I should not be service connected for Cloracne. I left Washington a very happy Veteran.

Only to find out months later my claim had been remanded due to the VA Regional Office failing to provide the examining physician my C-File not once but twice.

In 1999 I appealed the decision once again and once again I was told to undergo another Compensation Exam and once again the diognosis was Cloracne caused by heavy exposure to Agent Orange. The VA denied my service connection for Cloracne again. I then consulted with Congressman Bob Goodlatte who put me in touch with people in Washington that assisted me in finally getting service connection for Cloracne caused by Heavy Exposure to Agent Orange. I was given 30 % for Cloracne and only 10% for Scarring caused by Cloracne. I am a Veteran that never received Due Process in 12 years of filing my claim. To this date I have not been compensated for the time between 1988 and 1993. If there ever was a Veteran that deserved 100% service connection it is Johnny Nixon just for the lack of Due Process.

Sincerely

Johnny L. Nixon

Back to Witness List