27
Jan
Insist that the Veterans Administration Cover Conditions Caused by Agent Orange
(Beyond Pesticides, January 27, 2020) United States military veterans suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms after their exposure to Agent Orange will remain unprotected and uncompensated until at least late 2020, according to a letter sent by Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT).
Congress included a provision in the must-pass December federal spending bill requiring VA to provide legislators “a detailed explanation” for the now multi-year delay in determining whether to list the diseases. The provision is intended to cut through the ongoing delays, but there is no indication VA is going to meet the 30-day deadline. “The longer VA continues to drag its feet on expanding the list of conditions associated with Agent Orange, the longer our veterans continue to suffer—and die—as a result of their exposure,” Senator Tester said in a statement to the news site Connecting Vets. He continued, “It’s time for VA to stop ignoring the overwhelming evidence put forth by scientists, medical experts and veterans and do right by those who served. Any prolonging of their suffering is unacceptable.”
The delay is seen by advocates for veterans as a serious lack of support and compensation at a time when the current administration is mobilizing the military. In October 2019, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) attempt to introduce a resolution requiring the Trump Administration’s VA to list the diseases was shot down by U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA), citing costs. Rick Weidman, legislative director of Vietnam Veterans for America, summed up his response to ProPublica, “If you can afford the goddamn war, you can afford to take care of the warriors.”
“Some might accuse this body that we are waiting for them to die, as hard as it is to say that,” Sen. Brown said on the Senate floor. He continued, “Veterans shouldn’t have to fight this one at a time … we did this to them. The American government decided to spray Agent Orange. We knew it was harmful.”
According to Military Times, 83,000 veterans suffer from bladder cancer, Parkinson’s-like symptoms or hypothyroidism, and an untold number have high blood pressure. It is imperative that soldiers who fight for their country know they will be compensated when they fall ill as a result of their service.
Agent Orange, given its name because it was stored in orange striped drums, contained the active ingredients 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. This formulation was contaminated with the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (also called TCDD or simply dioxin) and is now banned. Not only were soldiers exposed on the battlefield, but many veterans who flew in post-Vietnam UC-123 Agent Orange spray aircraft had their health devastated by residual contamination.
The Vietnam government is part of an ongoing lawsuit against Bayer’s Monsanto as the manufacturer of the deadly herbicide during the war. Recent reports find that dioxin continues to contaminate Vietnam’s soils, water, sediment, fish, aquatic species, and food supply.
While Agent Orange is banned, 2,4-D, which comprised one half of its make-up, is still one of the most widely used herbicides on lawns, school grounds, and parks today. It is considered a possible human carcinogen, and has been linked to liver damage and endocrine disruption in humans, in addition to being toxic to wildlife, pets and beneficial insects. Previous research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has detected dioxin contamination in a number of 2,4-D herbicide products produced for consumer sale.
Letter to Secretary Robert Wilkie
Dear Secretary Wilkie:
I am writing in support of United States military veterans suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms after their exposure to Agent Orange—who remain unprotected and uncompensated.
The VA continues to drag its feet on expanding the list of conditions associated with Agent Orange, and our veterans continue to suffer—and die—as a result of their exposure. As Senator Tester said, “It’s time for VA to stop ignoring the overwhelming evidence put forth by scientists, medical experts and veterans and do right by those who served. Any prolonging of their suffering is unacceptable.”
Your delay is evidence of a serious lack of support and compensation for veterans at a time when the current administration is mobilizing the military. Opponents of compensation cite costs, while others, like Rick Weidman, legislative director of Vietnam Veterans for America, say, “If you can afford the goddamn war, you can afford to take care of the warriors.”
“Some might accuse this body that we are waiting for them to die, as hard as it is to say that,” U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown said on the Senate floor. He continued, “Veterans shouldn’t have to fight this one at a time … we did this to them. The American government decided to spray Agent Orange. We knew it was harmful.” According to Military Times, 83,000 veterans suffer from bladder cancer, Parkinson’s-like symptoms or hypothyroidism, and an untold number have high blood pressure.
It is imperative that soldiers who fight for their country know they will be compensated when they fall ill as a result of their service. Please add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms to the VA’s list of eligible conditions.
Thank you.
Please add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms to the VA’s list of eligible conditions.
Thank you.
January 27th, 2020 at 2:47 pmWhy so long with a decision when the VA promised a few years ago that they would announce their decision.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:46 amIt’s used to be that the VA had 90 days after the Academy of Science findings to make a decision.
Prolonging this is not the right way to treat our veterans.
I am a victem of the essential tremors you are talking about. How do I relate it to Agent Orange?
I contracted Bcell lymphoma and a heart problem from Agent Orange. They are all related.
I am 100% disabled so this wouldn’t help me. However it will help my fellow veterans.
Thank you for your consideration.
January 30th, 2020 at 1:56 pm