Pages: Lists of Fundamental Documents

31 January 2016

According to the VA glossary of terms, the terms "Environmental Contaminants" and "Gulf War Illness" are one and the same!

(Thanks for pointing this out, John. Remember, everyone, that VHA Post Deployment Health is the group which redefined "exposure" to prevent exposure claims!

– John Olin, 30 January 2016 

"Environmental Contaminants / Gulf War Illness": 
Gulf War Veterans were exposed to a wide variety of environmental hazards and potential harmful substances during their service in Southwest Asia. These include depleted uranium, pesticides, the anti-nerve gas pill pyridostigmine bromide, infectious diseases, chemical and biological warfare agents, and vaccinations (including anthrax and botulinum toxoid), and oil well free smoke and petroleum products. 

VA recognizes that there are other health risk factors encountered by Gulf War Veterans. Veterans with service during the Gulf War are eligible to receive treatment for conditions related to this service. 

If the treatment provided is for an illness or symptom that may possibly be associated with environmental contamination, copay for medical care and medication copay will not be charged. 

Conditions Associated with Environmental Contaminants: 
Persistent fatigue 
Skin rash 
Headache 
Arthralgias/myalgias 
Sleep disturbance 
Forgetfulness 
Joint pain 
Shortness of breath/chest pain 
Feverishness 
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 

However, the above language was quietly removed by the VA very recently.  
It now reads: 
Environmental Contaminants: Environment hazards and potential harmful substances such as pesticides and chemical and biological warfare agents. It is very important to note that the language recently removed from the glossary of terms by VA had a huge implication on claimants co-pays. "If the treatment provided is for an illness or symptom that may possibly be associated with environmental contamination, copay for medical care and medication copay will not be charged." 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Got something to share? Nothing commercial or off-topic, please.