April 1999
In 1991, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relaxed requirements for evaluating mustard gas-related compensation claims because of the confidentiality of some of the World War II testing and a lack of military medical records and followup. At that time, a review of studies of the effects of mustard gas exposure led VA to publish regulations authorizing service-connection and disability compensation payments to veterans who were exposed to significant levels of mustard gas and who suffer from chronic forms of certain diseases.
An estimated 4,000 servicemen participated in tests using significant concentrations of mustard gas either in chambers or field exercises in contaminated areas during World War II. This secret testing was conducted in order to develop better protective clothing, masks and skin ointments. There is no central roster of World War II participants in either the laboratory or field tests. The Army conducted tests on Army personnel in the laboratory and in the field. The test sites included Edgewood Arsenal, Md.; Camp Sibert, Ala.; Bushnell, Fla.; Dugway Proving Ground, Utah; and San Jose Island, Panama Canal Zone. Military personnel from the U.S. Navy Training Center, Bainbridge, Md., also were sent to the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C., to participate in tests. Gas testing facilities also were located at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois and Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Also in 1991, VA contracted with the Institute of Medicine
to conduct a study of medical and scientific literature worldwide
to determine the long-term health effects of mustard gas and Lewisite.
The $600,000 VA-funded study, entitled "Veterans at Risk:
The
Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite," was released
Jan. 6, 1993. The study found a relationship between exposure
and the subsequent development of certain diseases.
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Mustard Gas -- Page 2
VA policies generally authorize service-connection and compensation payments to veterans who were exposed to mustard gas and/or Lewisite and who suffer from a number of diseases or conditions:
Service-connection is not allowed if the claimed condition is due to the veteran's own willful misconduct or if there is affirmative evidence that establishes some other nonservice-related condition or event as the cause of the claimed disability.
Veterans who were exposed to significant amounts of mustard gas and have health problems that may be compensable -- or their survivors -- may contact the nearest VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 for more information about benefits.
Medical Care
Veterans currently seeking VA health care receive medically indicated diagnostic and treatment services without any need to document mustard gas exposures. VA has announced that for fiscal year 1999, it is planning to provide virtually all needed medical services for any veteran who comes to VA for care. In any future year in which appropriations are insufficient to meet projected demand, VA will use a priority system that provides a special category for those requiring treatment for illnesses specifically related to environmental exposures (although some veterans may qualify for an even higher eligibility category based on their service-connected status or other factors). Further, if the veteran can document exposure to receive care under the special enrollment Category 6, copayments are avoided. More information about VA health-care enrollment is available toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS, at the veteran's nearest VA medical center, or at http://www.va.gov/pubaff/enroll.htm on the Internet.
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