SGT. SHAFT: Disease’s ties to herbicide unclear

My husband was in the Army from 1966 through ‘68. He was exposed to Agent Orange. He is getting disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs because he is a diabetic.

In July 2007, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is scarring of the lungs. There is no cure for this disease. It is called idiopathic because doctors don’t know what causes it. One of the pathologists who diagnosed his condition said it could be caused by his exposure to Agent Orange.

Could you tell me why IPF is not on the list of disabilities for Agent Orange? Could it be possible that it could have caused his IPF? I would be interested in your finding.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

Claudette Z

Dear Claudette:

My sources tell me that this disease is not on the presumptive list because neither VA nor the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has established that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is “positively associated,” even weakly, with exposure to environmental toxins such as Agent Orange. As the lady said, the etiology is “unknown.”

Congress granted the presumptive power to NAS to look at these kinds of issues and, based on NAS findings, for VA to service-connect them - but they haven’t identified this disease as so associated. Chapter 11 is full of diseases that Congress in earlier years presumptively service-connected, but I think the modern thought is that the designation should be driven by science, not politics.

Shaft notes

The Sarge joins the 2.2 million of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in asking an airline trade association for help to establish a set baggage policy for all military personnel traveling on official orders.

This was prompted by a recent Texas newspaper article about an airline charging a young soldier heading to Iraq $100 for a third piece of luggage.

In a letter, George J. Lisicki, national commander of the VFW, asked the Air Transport Association to negotiate an agreement with its member airlines to exempt military personnel traveling on official orders from paying baggage fees on a third piece of luggage.

All major U.S. carriers waive baggage fees for up to two bags for military traveling under orders. However, a $100 fee for checking a third bag appears to be the industry norm, unless the passenger is flying first class or is an elite frequent flier.

“I completely understand the financial constraints the airline industry is in,” wrote Mr. Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J., “but I also know the military traveler is an extremely small fraction of the total passengers carried. Those who wear the uniform today are a special class of citizen who enable everyone else to enjoy every liberty our great country holds dear. They deserve special treatment because they have earned it.”

Story Continues →