Patrick Hardesty

Born in Portland Oregon. Dropped out of high school and joined the Army on 9-20-1966. To Viet Nam the first time in Oct. 1967. To hospital in Camp Zama Japan about March of 1968. Spent 4 months in the head ward, I only had a disease called eosinophilc granuloma. They cut out the infected area of my skull and sent me home. Spent a few months at Fort Ord, ca. Then back to Viet Nam again Oct. 1968. April of 1969 back to the hospital in Japan, this time hepatitis from eating food and drinking water. There a month and Army said giving me an early out ETS was 9-20-69. A few days before going home and after an exit physical something happened in Korea and all early outs were stopped. They said I was being sent to Korea. I said no way I was going there and they said then I have to go back to Viet Nam. Four days later I was back to Viet Nam again. At last home and out of Army 9-5-1969. All my 14 months in country I was with MACV Advisory Team 28 Tuy Hoa. I filed a claim at VA for my hepatitis and hole in my head because I advised to do so the day I got out. The VA approved the two items as being service connected but gave me zero percent. I lived my life the best I could and never talked about my Viet Nam experience , not even to my two best friends that were getting 100% for service disabilities. In about 2008 a friend told me I should try and get VA medical. I applied and was put into category 8D. Got nothing! I retired 10-2010. Went to get a hair cut and my barber said he just got VA medical. Monday I was down to VA hospital asking why I couldn't get medical. After two people telling me no a Retired Sergeant Major told me I was qualified because of my time in Viet Nam. He also told me I was screwed in 1969 and should have been given a percentage. I got my card. I then followed direction and re-filed my original claim on 4-7-2011 and added PTSD. July 3, 2012 I was given 30% for the hole in my head and 10% for PTSD. I am now in treatment and learning a lot about PTSD . Why didn't we get help 40 years ago?