Frank Vera

I was crushed when an approximately 1,100-pound M61A1 Vulcan Gun System from an F4-E was dropped on me during an illegal procedure of transferring the gun system from a “jammer” flight line forklift to a work dolly. This injury resulted in a severe concussion (traumatic brain injury); a dislocated right shoulder and wrist; a broken sternum and cracked ribs; a hiatal hernia; hemorrhoids; severe damage to the coccyx, sacroiliac (SI), lumbar/thoracic spine; and injury to the left hip and both knees. Because of the injury to the spine, I required a back brace and crutches to walk any distance or stand for any length of time and was placed on duty restriction (no lifting, bending, prolonged standing, or sitting) until I was discharged eight months later. I was treated for severe pain, depression, a nervous breakdown, and the inability to sleep (because of pain) at George AFB.

Impact force on my lumbar vertebra

The M61A1 Vulcan Gun System weighed 1,100 pounds, and I weighed 195 pounds.  (1100+195) x1.25 (impact) = 1618.75 lbs  The force on my lumbar vertebra would be 700 lbs/in2.  For comparison, a concrete masonry block would be crushed beyond 1500 lbs/in2

Because of my duty restriction for the back injury (no lifting, bending, prolonged standing or sitting), I was assigned to wash parts in hot Trichloroethylene (TCE) in the “Hot Wash Tank” with no safety training or equipment at the Release/Gun Shop and at the aerospace ground equipment (AGE) shop. I was not provided with a respirator, and the rubberized canvas gloves and apron provided both had holes in them and were saturated with TCE.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a highly toxic solvent degreasing.  It is linked to heart malformations in exposed fetuses, kidney toxicity, including cancer, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and liver toxicity, including cancer.  Trichloroethylene Toxicity – ATSDR

When the third Airman from the Gun Shop was killed in Vietnam, I wanted to get away from everyone, so I rode my dirt bike (3 to 5 mph because of the back injury) to the base motocross track.  Because of my back injury, I could barely ride my dirt bike, so I sat in the ravine in the MX track to mope.  While I was sitting there in the base recreational area, I saw an unmarked, olive drab (military green) barrel, so I opened it and dug into it.  About 45 minutes after digging into the barrel, my lungs started hurting, so I headed back to the barracks.  I had a seizure in the middle of the road and did not make it back to the barracks.  A man and his son in a light blue Dodge pickup found me and took me to the base hospital, where I was admitted.  I later learned that the content of the barrel I had opened was radioactive material.  This exposure was the subject of several Congressional investigations, including an investigation by Bob Stump, Chairman House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

I do not remember the accident, but there is a notation in my records that I was a passenger in a car that was rear-ended, and I reinjured my back, received whiplash, and suffered another concussion.

I was in the process of being medically retired when Col. Myer, the base Dentist, pulled four impacted wisdom teeth without first checking my platelet count.  I had an extremely low platelet count because of my radiation exposure.  I had to be hospitalized for about a week for blood loss and received numerous transfusions during that week at George AFB Hospital.

On the second day of my hospitalization, Col. Myer entered my hospital room and asked what had happened to me to cause the uncontrolled hemorrhaging.  I told him about the barrel at the base MX track.  He had me describe the barrel, the contents, and the location.  He came back with the Base Engineer, Hospital Commander, Base Command, and the base JAG (attorney).  Three days after I was discharged from the hospital, I was called into the base JAG’s office.  I was told that I did not want a Medical Retirement and that I “wanted” an Honorable Discharge.  With a disabling and severe back injury, I was forced to sit on a hard metal chair in an office for about four days until I agreed to take an  Honorable Discharge with the guarantee that if I needed Medical Retirement, the Air Force would help.  In 47 years, the Air Force has done nothing to help, and I spent 23 years homeless.

I was given an Administrative Discharge under Honorable Conditions (a fuckup discharge) instead of being Medically Retired. It is illegal to discharge anyone until he or she is stable and able to work or on disability with medical care. At the time of discharge, I had been hospitalized five times and had been on duty restriction for the last 8 months of service; I was having seizures and tremors; I was on crutches, bleeding out of all my body’s orifices and with constant migraines; and I could barely walk, talk, read, or write. I was discharged with nothing more than boxes of medication. Because I was honorably discharged instead of being medically retired, the Air Force fraudulently altered and withheld my medical records. I spent about 23 years incredibly sick, in pain, homeless, and hungry, until 1997 when the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Jesse Brown, intervened on my behalf and ordered the Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) to award me Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) at 70% with Individual Unemployability (IU). This is equal to a Service-Connected Rating of 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability. Unfortunately, I had already spent the majority of the previous 23 years homeless.

On this page, numerous documents refer to my “probable radiation exposure” or “non-service connected radiation exposure.”  Unfortunately, until the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), and Air Force (AF) acknowledge the presence of the radioactive material and the cleanup that took place in the early 1980s, my exposure will remain probable and non-service connected. The radioactive waste dumpsite located south of Air Base Road and east of the Bomb Dump and small arms range was cleaned up at the same time as the former small arms range was.

Buried Radioactive Waste at George AFB

1971

• George AFB was notified by HQ USAF that all of its radioactive waste burial sites were to be accounted for, fenced off, and clearly marked.  They were not.
  See: Headquarters USAF survey letter – Radioactive Waste Disposal, Hq, SCN 71-28 -AF – 19 February 1971

1972

• Burial of Radioactive Waste in the USAF – 15 March 1972
  Positive Responses for George AFB Pages 13, 21, & 31
• I voluntarily enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, was physically healthy, passed my induction physical with no restrictions, was reasonably intelligent, scored a 98 Category I on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), and was of good moral character and psychologically stable, passed my Extended Background Investigation (EBI)  and was nuke qualified and had a promising career in the Air Force. See DD-214 Report of Separation from Active Duty  – Box “27 Remarks”
• I was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, and graduated fifth in my flight from basic training.
• I was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, CO, for Tech School, and I tied for third place in my class from tech school (AFSC 462×0).  I went to weapons tech school in the “Black Shack.”

1973 – 1974

• Stationed at George Air Force Base, CA
  At George Air Force Base, CA, lived on-base in the 35th MMS barracks and was discharged 17 months later after having been hospitalized twice, having lost 58 lbs., going from 192 lbs. to 134 lbs., which is a significant weight loss for someone 6ft 4in. My first hospitalization was at the George Air Force Base Hospital for about 1 week, and I was then transferred to March AFB Hospital for about 3 weeks. The second hospitalization was at the George AFB hospital for about a week. I was on duty restriction for the last 8 months of service. In the first 3 months of duty restriction, I was on light duty, and in the last 6 months, I was on complete duty restriction. I was discharged on crutches, having seizures, bleeding out of all of my body’s orifices, with nonstop migraines, and could barely talk.

While I was stationed at George AFB, I had five major injuries and complications from these injuries.

1973

 1. Accident in the gun shop – a 1,100-pound M61A1 Vulcan gun system from an F-4E was dropped on me – George AFB
1973 Accident in the gun shop Flicker
1973 Accident in the gun shop PDF

2. Trichloroethylene (TCE) Exposure – I was placed on light duty after the accident in the gun shop and was assigned to wash parts in TCE in the hot wash tank at the Gun and Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) shops  for about two months – George AFB

3. Probable Radiation Exposure – I opened and dug into a barrel in the Southeast Disposal Area (SEDA) (the DoD will not comment on the contents of the barrel) – George AFB

• I almost bled to death when Col. Myer, DDS, pulled four impacted wisdom teeth. I had a very low platelet count, likely caused by my radiation exposure, and spent about 5 days in the hospital getting blood transfusions. – George AFB
  

  1973-04-xx letter – E Zigo to F Vera - wisdom teeth extraction_Redacted.pdf

1974

Improper and possibly illegal honorable discharge from the Air Force at George AFB

I was in the process of being medically discharged when Col. Myer, DDS, decided to pull out 4 impacted wisdom teeth.  Because of an extremely low platelet count I almost bled to death and spent about 5 days in the hospital getting blood transfusions. Col. Myer asked what had happened to me that could have caused this, and I told them about finding and opening the barrel in the base-sanctioned motocross track south of Airbase Road and being hospitalized at George and March AFB hospitals.  When I was discharged from the hospital or the wisdom teeth extractions, I was called to the JAG’s office to explain what had happened.  I repeated the story about finding and opening the barrel and being hospitalized.  The JAG sent me back to my barracks.  They called me back about 3 days later and insisted that I take an Honorable discharge instead of a medical discharge.  I think the AF did not want to medically discharge/retire me because it requires a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), and the AF would have to explain in writing on my permanent record what happened and why there was a radioactive waste dump in the base sanction recreational area (an MX track).

DD-214 Report of Separation from Active Duty – George AFB
My DD-214 has my AFSC listed as 70010 Apr Admin Helper. I never worked as an Admin Helper. My AFSC was 46250 Weapons Systems Specialist. I had an EBI security clearance and had an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 98% I.  My AFSC and my security clearance was pulled just before I was discharged.

1976

• Workers Compensation
  Workman’s comp ruled that I was permanently and totally disabled because of a preexisting medical condition (seizures were the result of an injury in the military).  Unfortunately, because of the seizures, I was no longer insurable under worker’s compensation insurance.

1977

• Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  The worker’s comp attorney filed for SSI for me. Social Security denied the claim.

1979

•  John R. Sabol, J.D., P.E. – letter # 1
  1979 environmental assessment of the Southeast Disposal Area (SEDA) and a radioactive disposal site was fenced off, and clearly marked
  See: FOIA Request AF Civil Engineer Center Sabol

1980

• Lymph node biopsy – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “Benign lymph node with marked sinus histiocytosis”
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Denial
  Prior to the lymph node biopsy, my doctor wrote a letter and referred me to the hospital Patient Advocate to have them file for SSDI. In the letter from my doctor to Social Security stated Mr. Vera is extremely ill. We think that he has lymphoma, he is homeless, and he has about six months to a year and a half to live. Because of his extensive medical problems, he should be granted SSDI.
  Social Security denied my claim on the grounds that the illness was not expected to last more than a year.

1983

• After having the VA deny my disability claim several times over the last 9 years, I told my Service Officer to tell the VA if it is so important for the VA to lie, cheat, and steal from me to close my VA Claim and keep their fu+*ing money.
  

  1983-05-31 close my VA case and acknowledgement letter_Redacted.pdf

1985

• 1985-09-01 News – Low-level radioactive dump discovered at George AFB

• Prior to the Bone marrow biopsy, my Doctor, Hunt Enacio MD, asked what I was exposed to while I was in the AF. A friend saw a newspaper article, “Low-level radioactive dump discovered at George AFB “. At my next appointment, I brought the article into my doctor told him about finding and opening the barrel, and getting sick. I asked if this could be the cause of my health problems. He said yes, and had me write a letter describing the barrel, contents, location, and draw a map. He sent a letter asking what I was exposed to and he included my letter and map. Colonel White responded to my doctor stating “that the request was too vague in nature to respond to”. I later found out that Colonel White was the base commander of George AFB.

• Bone marrow biopsy – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “Mildly hypocellular marrow – Peripheral blood – mild neutropenia and ovalocytosis”
  Hypocellular marrow, neutropenia, and ovalocytosis are common side effects of a radiation exposure
• Letters from AJ Hobson, Patient Representative, Loma Lind VA MC

  • 1985-12-09-letter LLVAH Patient Rep Hobson The information requested is general in nature_Redacted.pdf

  • 1985-12-12-letter LLVAH Patient Rep Hobson to Congressman Lewis_Redacted.pdf

1987

• Mitral Valve Prolapse – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “Mr. Vera has mitral valve prolapse. it is advisable that he not lift any load weighing more than 50 lbs.”
• Seizures – VA Loma Linda Medical Center

1988

• I qualified for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SS found that I was permanently and totally disabled

1990

• VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam diagnoses probable radiation myocarditis – VA Bay Pines Medical Center.
  In 1990 I won the medical side of a Compensation and Pension Exam with diagnoses of probable radiation myocarditis. This was done with the help of the medical staff at VA Bay Pines Medical Center and the research librarians at the Stetson University of Law Gulfport, FL. Unfortunately, I lost the Compensation and Pension case with the Veterans Affairs because the DoD would neither confirm nor deny the presence of the radioactive material at George AFB, CA.
• Congressman George E. Brown request that the Air Force investigate my radiation exposure
  “Mr. Vera opted for an honorable discharge versus the medical discharge, that was recommended by his superiors when he separated from the military. Mr. Vera’s military records indicated that he was exhibiting the same symptoms that are indicative of exposure to nuclear radiation (radiation myelitis). The fact that it was not diagnosed accurately, while Mr. Vera was in the military, does not prove that he was not suffering from radiation myelitis.“

1991

• OSI / FBI investigation into my possible exposure to an unknown, possible CBRN material at the former George Air Force Base, CA.  A separate investigation into “potential [environmental] hazards that were known to the Air Force at that time” at George Air Force Base, CA.
  See: FOIA request – OSI investigation CBRN – George AFB – 4 April 2012

1993

• CAT scan Bone Density
  “Mean spinal bone density is 88 mg per cc: which is significantly lower for this patient’s age and sex.” “Major Abnormality, No Attn. Needed”

1994

• Vera referral Oak Ridge DOE – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “40-year-old w/male w/complicated H/0 exposure (Extensive) to possible toxic and weapons-grade isotopes in the 1970s or 1980s. Suspect long-lived isotopes. The patient has hematologic dyscrasias and bone abnormalities including osteomalacia or osteoporosis wondering about possible ingestion of long-lived isotopes, possibly radioactive and could include Gamma, Beta or Alpha emitters. Please schedule for total body survey for these types of isotopes.“
  This 1994 referral was the result of about 1 year of work by my congressman’s office, several doctors, and myself.  The Department of Veterans Affairs Department and the Department of Energy (DOE) had approved a whole-body count to be done at the Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN.  The appointment date was being confirmed and to get the airplane tickets and lodging. The DoD stopped the radiation assessment.
• Osteoporosis research consent form – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
• William C Capel Vocational Rehabilitation – non-service connected radiation exposure – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “The veteran has apparently exhausted all means to get the VA to recognize the radiation exposure. Apparently, there is no rating for radiation exposure and the Rating Board is hamstrung from acting. The veteran is urged to write letters to Clinton, Gore, and Jessie Brown with full documentation of the detail of the radiation exposure and ask for assistance. This CP concurred with this action on the veteran’s part as apparently, no other option was available.”
• GAFB Airman [Frank Vera] Exposed to Radiation – newspaper article

1996

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea – VA Loma Linda Medical Center
  “Cardiac arrhythmias, Moderate obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder mild – Apnea Index 25 – Considered Life-Threatening”
• 1996-10-03 Letter from Stewart Liff, Director VA Los Angeles Regional Office to Bob Stump Chairman House Committee on Veterans Affairs – files from the Clinton Library obtained under FOIA
  “His non-service connected disabilities are osteoporosis, condition of the skeletal system, pulmonary emphysema, heart condition [radiation myocarditis see: 1990] and radiation exposure.”
• 1996-10-03 Letter from Stewart Liff Director VARO Los Angeles To Senator Boxer Non-Service Connected Radiation Exposure Redacted – files from the VARO Los Angeles – “His non-service connected disabilities are osteoporosis, condition of the skeletal system, pulmonary emphysema, heart condition [radiation myocarditis see: 1990] and radiation exposure.”

1997

• Jesse Brown, United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs personal interest case -Debi Bevins – Frank Vera – Los Angeles VARO
  “This is a Secretary Brown Interest case.” “Personal Interest of the Secretary – Expedite“
• VA Secretary Jesse Brown / President Clinton’s investigation – Frank Vera – files from the Clinton Library obtained under FOIA
  In 1997 after an investigation of my medical care and my C&P claim, VA Secretary Jesse Brown ordered the Los Angeles VARO to award me 70% with Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). This is equal to a Service Connected Rating Of 100%. Unfortunately, I had already spent the majority of the previous 23 years homeless and hungry. This investigation centered on injury caused by the accident in the Gun Shop in 1973.
• At the recommendation of VA Secretary Jesse Brown’s staff, the radiation exposure was not addressed this investigation because there is no rating for an accidental radiation exposure. The only radiation exposure that the VA will acknowledge is Veterans that participated in atmospheric and certain underground nuclear tests; Took part in the American occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan; Certain veterans who were POWs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki; or Served at gaseous diffusion plants in Paducah, Ky., Portsmouth, Ohio, and area K25 at Oak Ridge, Tenn. (See: VA Programs For Veterans Exposed To Radiation)

2012

• FOIA Appeal AF OSI/FBI investigation of the environmental contamination at George AFB and my exposure in 1973
  This 2012 FOIA Appeal contains a description on the barrel and its content (page 2 of the PDF) and a map showing the location of the barrel (page 12 of the PDF) and a sworn statement from the former OSI agent who investigated the contamination and my exposure (page 12 of the PDF) in 1973 at George AFB.

2013

• FOIA Appeal – Denial of Fee Waiver – Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC)
  This 2013 FOIA Appeal gives an overview of the contamination and Completed Exposure Pathways and problems with the ATSDR Health Assessment for George AFB.
• War-Related Illness Injury Study Center (WRIISC) intake letter