Friday, April 23, 2010

H. R. 2254 and S-1939


This life-saving bill is designed to extend the presumption of herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure to US Navy veterans serving offshore. Informally, we are told that members of the House are hesitant to move because of its potential cost. It is estimated that approximately 265,000 “blue water” Navy and/or US Marine Corps personnel or their surviving family members will file claims if these two bills become law.

In 1999, the Royal Australian Department of Veterans Affairs discovered Agent Orange related cancers among sailors of their Navy who had never set foot in Vietnam . Australian Sailors were developing cancer at an even higher rate than those who served on the ground. The Australians found that the distilling process, used by ships to convert salt water to potable drinking water, was using contaminated water. That process actually enhanced the effect of the dioxin producing an Agent Orange cocktail that was ingested by the sailors through their drinking water. The American VA has inexplicably rejected the study. Although the Australians have granted an exposure presumption for over five years, the Americans continue to deny the claims.

In July of 2009, the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM)’s committee on Agent Orange independently validated the Australian report and recommended that the exposure presumption be extended to the Navy veterans. The IOM is required by law to provide recommendations and scientific support to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA has rejected the IOM recommendation without adequate explanation.

H. R. 2254 and S-1939 will correct this problem.

Paul Sutton

2 comments:

  1. Why can't we extend this to all those who server in South East Asia, Tailand, Cambodia, and Loas as well. There is very good documentation that supports that from the military. After our unit reunion of those serving with me in Thailand there are a number of those with Agent Orange related illness; diabetes II, Cancer, etc... SEA was in the Theater of War for the Vietnam War. All that served there were awarded the VSM, and VCM. We have the illness to match. Come on Uncle Sam, step up, you give more money than is needed to foreign government that have not done as much for you as we have.

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  2. DONT FORGET GUAM WHERE I PREPARED, MIXED AND HAND SPRAYED IT ON ANDERSEN AFB AND OFF BASE FOR TEN YEARS 1968 TO 1978 WORKING FOR THE 3960TH/4133RD/43RD SUPPLY SQUADRON FUELS DIVISION FUELS STORAGE SECTION. IT'S IN MY AIRMEN'S PERFORMANCE REPORTS AND HAVE EYE WITNESSES AND ALSO DISEASE STARTING WITH CHLORACNE ON GUAM IN 1968 AND STERILITY

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