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Catherine Herridge @CHerridge - RESULTS: The Department of the Air Force @usairforce has responded to Straight to the Point's investigation into the treatment of Air National Guard Fighter Pilot Capt. Cody Kirlin.  
They are making changes:  
1. Establishing a central patient support cell to answer questions and concerns from members who have received Not In Line of Duty determinations.
2. Developing awareness training for service members and leadership to ensure a clear understanding of the LOD process and subsequent actions/entitlements. 
3. Standardizing LOD Program Manager responsibilities and training.
4. Establishing a web-based platform to increase transparency for ARC members awaiting an LOD determination.
5. Reviewing medical adjudication processes, staffing and subject matter expertise of ARC LOD Board members.
6. Establishing the requirement for the Surgeon General to designate medical specialists to sit on and advise the LOD Boards and appellate authorities.
7. Establishing the requirement for an immediate Department of the Air Force-level appellate review authority process for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve LOD denials.
An Air Force spokesperson said the Department "is committed to ensuring there are robust processes in place to help..."  
Adding a recent Inspector General inquiry found the "Line of Duty" (LOD) program had "significant shortcomings” and "required improvements."
@thelatmg @latimesstudios_ Quote Catherine Herridge @CHerridge
STRAIGHT TO THE POINT INVESTIGATES:  Fighter Pilot’s Last Stand  
Air National Guard Fighter Pilot’s “In Line of Duty” Neck Injury DENIED By Trained Gynecologist Serving As Medical Reviewer For National Guard Bureau.  
Military records showed Capt. Cody Kirlin had multiple herniated discs due to high G-force maneuvers while flying fighter jets.    
Kirlin was forced to spend six years and $70,000 in a legal battle with the Air Force before they finally overturned this denial and officially recognized his neck injuries as service-related.  
A spokesperson for the Air Force acknowledged “shortcomings” and said “required improvements” are being made.  
Citing the government shutdown and the Privacy Act, the National Guard Bureau (NGB) did not address many of our questions.  
A spokesperson said “The National Guard Bureau does not employ specialists as subject matter experts when reviewing medical cases.  National Guard Bureau follows current Department of the Air Force policy when assigning healthcare professionals to review medical cases.”  
@thelatmg @latimesstudios_ @GuardReserve
0:00 Air National Guard fighter pilot speaks out after $70,000 and 6 years fighting to prove neck injuries were service-related
1:45 “I gave everything I had to serve this country and the Air Force.”
2:45 Injured pilot claims MRIs denied twice: “We were told there's no such thing as emergency MRIs.”
3:19 Neck injuries common: Fighter pilot helmet can exert pressure +100 lbs under high G-force maneuvering
3:56 After case reviewed by trained gynecologist, National Guard Bureau denies fighter pilot’s injuries
5:20 Pilot alleges medical reviewer cherry-picked evidence to deny claim: cites bike riding
6:20 Veterans advocate says the National Guard Bureau/Air Force process is “hard broke”
7:00 Air Force does a 180 and now acknowledges fighter pilot’s injuries are “In The Line of Duty”
8:15 Allegations of retaliation against service members who speak out
8:45 Fighter pilot still waiting for disability evaluation and whether he will be medically retired
9:20 “Is it about dollars and cents?”
9:37 What can the Trump Administration do differently than the Biden Administration? 
10:16 Response Air Force and National Guard Bureau
https://x.com/C__Herridge/status/1990462088091959725
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