|
|
  The Nation's #1 Independent Veterans Web Site Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 07-03-2008 |
|
|
|
The Nation's #1 Independent Veterans Web Site Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 07-03-2008 |
|
|
|
PRESUMPTIVES FOR HERBICIDE EXPOSURE -- And reiterates its "no" to hypertension, saying, "The science doesn't support it."
For the previous story about the VA's denial of
presumptive hypertension benefits, click here... For more about veterans and Agent Orange, use the
VA Watchdog search engine...click here... Story here... http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_9766248 Story below:
-------------------------
VA says it will not grant disability claims for hypertension related to Agent OrangeBy Chris Roberts / El Paso Times
|
| Article continues below: |
The study of the accident in Italy, updated
earlier this year in an American Journal of Epidemiology article, lists
hypertension as a contributing cause to deaths of people exposed to
dioxins, which are used in the herbicides.
Brown, a toxicologist, said Peake's decision was based on a broad review
of existing research done by the Institute of Medicine of the National
Academies, which veterans advocates have criticized for a lack of
objectivity.
However, Brown said the review - which Congress requires every two years,
the most recent of which was released about a year ago - examined about 25
studies, and was "very exhaustively thorough."
The Institute of Medicine does not make recommendations to VA on policy,
said Christine Stencel, an institute spokeswoman.
"There are scientific studies of adequate quality that have yielded
information that points to a possible statistical link or plausible
biological
means, by which exposure to Agent Orange, the herbicides, the dioxins that
contaminated them could result in the increased risk of developing
hypertension," Stencel said. "But at the same time, it's not clear-cut.
There are contradictory results from other studies."
On June 10, Peake sent a letter notifying the veterans affairs committees
in the House of Representatives and the Senate that he would not allow the
"service-connected" status for hypertension.
"It's ambiguous," Brown said, "which is, in some ways, the worst
situation."
Brown said recommendations from the team Peake formed to look at the issue
didn't mention cost. He also points to type 2 diabetes, an illness he said
is very costly to treat and fairly common, which was recently added to the
list.
"I would argue that, really, the decision was driven by the science,"
Brown said.
When the Institute of Medicine released its review in July 2007 with a
finding of "limited or suggestive evidence" linking hypertension to
herbicide exposure, VA was required by law to determine whether it should
be listed as "service-connected," according to an internal agency document
obtained by the El Paso Times. The document - called a "fast letter" and
distributed to all VA regional offices and centers - states that a
decision was expected by September 1.
Veterans who served during certain time periods in Vietnam, in vessels off
the shore of Vietnam, and in Korea along the demilitarized zone would have
been eligible for the benefit if Peake had approved it, according to the
document. It concludes that, if the service connection is not warranted,
"we will not, of our own initiative, take any additional action on this
issue."
AL amyloidosis was added to the list because it was very similar to a type
of cancer linked to herbicide exposure and "it made sense to make a
service connection," Brown said. In the past, it has taken about six
months between approval of a new illness for service-connected status and
new regulations being issued that allow claims to be processed, he said.
Part of the reason veterans exposed to the herbicides are angry is that
their cases were more extreme than those of most people exposed in
nonmilitary situations.
The Zumwalt report quotes Dr. James R. Clary: "When we (military
scientists) initiated the herbicide program in the 1960s, we were aware of
the potential for damage due to dioxin contamination in the herbicide. We
were even aware that the 'military' formulation had a higher dioxin
concentration than the 'civilian' version due to the lower cost and speed
of manufacture. However, because the material was to be used on the
'enemy,' none of us were overly concerned. We never considered a scenario
in which our own personnel would become contaminated with the herbicide.
And if we had, we would have expected our own government to give
assistance to veterans so contaminated."
Although there are no lack of studies on hypertension's relation to
herbicide exposure, Brown said, there also has been nothing definitive -
either way.
"This could change of course," Brown said. "We had a similar situation
with prostate cancer. ... There were new developments and new scientific
studies and we had to reconsider that position. This is not static."
Chris Roberts may be reached at
chrisr@elpasotimes.com ; 546-6136.
-------------------------
posted by Larry
Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)
Military
Medical Malpractice
Legal
Network
VA Watchdog Stuff...
cups, hats, shirts...
click on item to order
and support the site.
|
|
