Hundreds of thousands of servicemen were exposed to asbestos over decades, especially during the period from 1940 to 1980. Asbestos was used in construction of naval vessels as well as shore facilities. All branches of the military used asbestos, which was also widely used in civilian applications. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma. Because this cancer has a particularly long latency period, many servicemen who were exposed years ago are now developing this disease.
- Mesothelioma Patient & Family Resources: Mesotheliomahelp is provided by Belluck & Fox, LLP as a comprehensive resource for mesothelioma victims and their families. The site provides up-to-date information on the latest news and treatment options as well as an easy to use search feature to find local mesothelioma doctors and health care clinics.
We fight for veterans harmed by asbestos: Veterans with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer should know they have options: the opportunity to bring a suit against manufacturers and sellers of the asbestos that caused their illness. If you were harmed by asbestos exposure, for example, in ships or military housing, contact Weitz & Luxenberg to get a free case review.
Important Information for Veterans: Asbestos products were often used on military ships and within military housing, and Veterans may have been exposed. Previous exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that has no cure and affects countless Veterans and loved ones. For more information regarding military asbestos exposure visit Mesothelioma.com
Half of the twenty deaths were under the age of 50!
Count is 20 so far for October. Age Groups: 30's -3, 40's-7, 50's -6, 60's -3, 70s -1. Military Service count: Army- 4, Army Reserve 1, USMC 5, USAF 4, NG 1, Army National Guard 1, USN 3, Naval Reserve 1. Cause of Death factors: Residence 4, sudden 1, hospice 1, hospital 1 Cancers 6 to include Kidney, Leukemia/lymphoma. Multi war service:(3) VN and Desert Storm 1, VN, Desert Storm and current wars 2
Special Report: Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Final Report
The Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans has submitted its final report to Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
Below is the text of the letter to Gen. Shinseki, the report's introduction, and a listing of six issue areas. From the Final Report, "Changing the Culture, Placing Care Before Process," dated September 2009:
Special Report: Chairman of The VA RAC GWI Letter outlines the Need
Urgent Message to Friends of Gulf War Illness Research
Excerpts of the Chairman's message to the Senate
Friends of Gulf War illness treatments research:
"I was stunned to learn that the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee report on the 2010 defense appropriations bill includes no dedicated funding for the Gulf War illness research program of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
I implore your help to preserve this essential program to identify treatments to restore the health of 175,000 ill Gulf War veterans and to protect current and future servicemembers at risk of similar exposures."
Special Report: TAPS- 45 Gulf War(90-91) Veterans for August 09
August 09 Taps Gulf War 90-91 Veterans
A minimum of 45 Veterans of Operation Desert Storm died in August 09. These are collated from online obituaries and do not include all deaths. Small towns and rural areas are probably not being picked up. Of these 9 were Navy Veterans, 1 was a Navy Reserve, 26 were Army veterans, 3 were Army Reserves, 5 were Air Force Veterans, 8 Army National Guard,and 4 were Marines. Those that had prior service in other conflicts included: 1 Beirut and Desert Storm, 1 Korea and Desert Storm, 4 with Vietnam and Desert Storm, 2 Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and 1 Desert Storm and Operation Ennduring Freedom.
As far as known factor 12 died in hospital, 2 were unexpected, 2 with colon Cancer, 1 with brain cancer, 2 other forms of cancer, 14 had no details, 4 were sudden deaths, 2 were heart related, 6 occurred at home, 2 with accidents one motorcyle and one auto, and one mentioned long illness. As for as age distribution 6 were in their 30's, 18 were in their 40's, 15 were in their 50's, 4 were in their 60's and 4 were in their 70's.
Special Report: Gulf War Veterans Announcements and Requests
Gulf War Veterans Input Requests
Gulf War Veteran Update
Veteran's Affairs Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Advisory is holding their last meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in DC on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a phone line to use to listen in on this two day wrap up. They are continuing their work on reccommendations and their final report. The listen in line can be gotten by calling in to get the number 202-461-5758.
Also we here at Veterans Today want comments from Gulf War Veterans of 90-91. WE need your input in the following areas:
1. Have you been pleased with your care at the VA?
2. Do your doctors at the VA seem knowledgeable on Gulf War Illness?
3. Have you participated in any of the funded research programs, tell us about your experience.
Special Report: GULF WAR VETERANS THE TRUTH IS THERE! NOW Accountability and Leadership will be Judged
TRUTH - 12th Preventative Medical Team- ODS
The possession, probable use of, use of, and deliberate destruction of Iraq stockpiles VX, sarin, cyclo sarin, tabun, soman , multiple seven , and novachuks that were provided by the U.S., England, Germany, and the Soviet Union to Iraq throughout the 1980's was well known during ODS and the primary reason why Bauer's Raiders wre formed and the ARCENT Medical Management of Chemical and Biological casualties course was taught.
DOD officials, Colonel Pearlman, Colonel Kennison, Colonel Keeler, Colonel Merryman, LTC Dunn, and LTC Wade under orders from LTG Blanck decided to disregard all already known diagnosis of acute and primarily sub clinical exposures to these nerve agents at that time because Iraq got them from us, used them on us and our deliberate destruction of Iraq's stockpile that was the chosen course of action (December 10, 1990) to limit use and consequential acute exposures. FM 8-285 and other directives provided specific guidance- orders for diagnosis of exposures and treatment for exposures.
Special Report: Gulf War Veterans and Their Family and Friends Called to Action
GULF WAR VETERANS A CRITICAL WEEK RIGHT NOW
Gulf War Veterans who are ill and their family members have a critical week this week. Your US Senators are at their Home offices in your own state as are your US Representatives. It is time after 19 years of watching your fellow veterans getting worse and many have died!
WE your own Gulf War Veterans and advocates need you to become very active this week! WE need you even if it is just a few at each US Senator Home Office in your own state to go on Strike.
I mean carry posters and walk a picket line. We need other Veterans to help this effort for GUlf War Veterans. WE need family members and civilians that care about the Veterans to do this NOW! We need Surviving Spouses and Family Members that have lost a Gulf War Veteran to get out there form a picket line!
The Department of Veteran Affairs needs to act quickly to gain the trust of the Gulf War Veterans.
The National Gulf War Resource Center calls upon the Secretary to form a panel of veterans from the Gulf War Groups, VA staff and outside researchers that will create new guidelines on how the VA will deal with the Gulf War veterans in all areas of the VA. They should evaluate effectiveness in research, training, health care, outreach, and problems in compensation.
A Critical need is the updating of training for health care professionals in regards to Care of the Neurotoxin damaged Gulf War Veteran i.e. diagnosis and treatment. There has been no training or an educational program for VA Health Professionals that contains the most updated research on Gulf War illness and this is a critical need for the gulf war veteran to get the best health care within the next year.
Too many gulf war veterans have had their claims denied because the raters are not following the Rating manual on gulf war veteran claims, again immediate efforts are needed within the year.
News: UTSW Medical Contract for Gulf War Illness Canceled by VA
As a doctor, I committed myself many years ago to helping others through medicine. Research for undiagnosed or unknown illnesses is a critical part of providing care to patients.
So I was disappointed to hear that the Veterans Administration has decided to terminate its contract with the UT Southwestern Medical Center conducting research on Gulf War Syndrome. An estimated 175,000 to 210,000 veterans of the Persian Gulf War suffer multiple chronic symptoms that are considered to fall under the definition of Gulf War syndrome, according to the VA's own research.
How Do I go on? I am not sure. I ask all my veterans and civilian friends to unite and further distribute news of all the facts. The Gulf War Veterans are ill and are DYING! This is beyond sitting and just reading. The Government now for 18 years has refused to respond in the appropriate manner to an issue of life and death. This insane situation must come to the full light of day!
Most of the Gulf War Veterans feel it is just like Agent Orange or the Atomic Veterans, not enough of us have died yet for the government to tell the truth. They feel the government is just holding the cost of care and claims benefit cost down. But I feel this is more insidious!
Special Report: A Gulf War Veteran Salutes Senator Kennedy
A Gulf War Veteran Salutes Senator Kennedy
As we all mourn the passing of Senator Kennedy, The Lion of the Senate and Health Care and a Veteran himself, who always answered the call from service members and their families. I sit here and wonder what would he say about the current situation of cutting funds to the Gulf War Veterans Collaborative Research Center (VA/UTSWMED)? Would he sit quietly and then rise to be the Lion and find a way through the maze? I think he would have.
I sit and reflect on our Senators from that great state that I lived in for a year. I think of Senator Kerry and the times I have spoken to him, his staff, and his wife about Gulf War illness. I briefed him early on in a meeting in his office of Veterans that meet yearly in DC on Homeless Veterans. I sat behind him and when offered the chance I spoke, he turned and gave me the direct eye to eye contact that showed me he was truly connected to what I was speaking out on Gulf War Illness.
THE Critical Steps That Are NOW IN LIMBO For Gulf War Veterans
Next Steps
The symptoms of veterans suffering from Gulf War illnesses are subjective, and the causes, diagnoses, and treatments are elusive. Therefore, a guiding principle for this research program has always been that objective studies—verified by researchers at different institutions and replicated in representative and increasingly-large samples of veterans—are required to arrive at conclusions on which action can be based.
With this rigorous approach, the findings to date make us optimistic that this multi-perspective testing protocol might lead to objective diagnosis. If it continues to progress along these lines, the testing approach should prove useful for future clinical and research work in the following ways:
Special Report: The Government Side of the Dispute with Gulf War Illness UTSW Medical
The Government Side of the Dispute with Gulf War Illness UTSW Medical
AKAKA URGES SHINSEKI TO TERMINATE CONTRACT WITH UNIVERSITY AFTER INVESTIGATION REVEALS BREACH OF TERMS
IG finds VA in error and University in breach of $15 million contract on Gulf War Illness WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) reacted to the findings of VA’s Inspector General regarding the Department’s award of a $15 million sole-source contract to research Gulf War Illness to a University which then breached the terms of the contract.
“Unless the Department terminates this contract with the University, it risks setting a precedent that VA contracts can be ignored regardless of the legal or fiscal impact or the consequences for veterans.
Special Report: Limited Scope of Gulf War Illness Research
The Implications of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Limited Scope of Gulf War Illness Research340 Cannon House Office Building
Opening Statements
Hon. Harry E. Mitchell, Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hon. John J. Hall, a Representative in Congress from the State of New York
Witness Testimonies
Panel 1
Lynn Goldman, M.D., MPH, Professor, Bloomberg School of PublicHealth, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and Member, Committee on Gulf War and Health, Institute of Medicine, The National Academies
Accompanied By: Roberta Wedge, M.S., Senior Program Officer, Board on the Health of Select Populations, Institute of Medicine, The National Academies
James H. Binn, Chairman, Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illinesses Lea Steele, Ph.D., Adjunct Associate Professor, Kansas State University School of Human Ecology, Manhattan, KS, and Former Scientific Director, Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
Special Report: The Cut in the Funding of Gulf War Research at UTSWMed
Why can't there be a Third Way?
Personal Editorial on Gulf War Illness VA Collaborative Center UTSWMED Dallas
Here is a brief Editorial just posted from a Dallas Source.UT Southwestern's Gulf War setback
Just a few weeks ago, congressional influence and common sense seemed to have combined to save UT Southwestern's research efforts to determine why so many vets of the First Gulf War returned home with unexplained illnesses. But now the optimism we expressed when we wrote this editorial circulated by several Veterans groups has been dashed as this DMN story details.
There's a big picture being missed, namely that Gulf War vets are ill and have no idea why. It seems to be me that there must be a simple way for UT Southwestern and the VA to reach a compromise. If this is mostly about VA access to the names of patients, then wise heads ought to be able to find a compromise that serves the VA and allows UTSW to protect the rights of veterans. University researchers deal with privacy issues all the time and do it quite well, with UTSW reconsenting most vets to find a way to give the VA most of what it needs.
Special Report: NGWRC Issues Press Release on UTSWMED Gulf War Research Contract Failure
National Gulf War Resource Center
Responds to UTSWMED Contract Cancellation on Gulf War Illness Research
NGWRC in reviewing both sides of the Contracting Failure for the UTSWMED/VA Collaborative Center on Gulf War Illness views the situation as a potential loss most of all to the ill Gulf War Veterans.
Jim Bunker, President of the NGWRC, states that the VA has left the door open for Dr Hailey to complete his work on the diagnosing of gulf war veterans neurological damage. This is critical work that must be done in an expedited manner and reports must be submitted to the VA. Journal articles must be written and submitted to peer reviewed journals so that these scientific findings and recommendations to neurologists can have the true impact on diagnosing of ill gulf war veterans.
Special Report: NEW Research on Mortality of Gulf War and Vietnam Conflict Veterans Shows EXCESS Mortality Rates
EXCESS Mortality Rates in Shorter Time Period after Gulf War vs Vietnam War
In the publication just available on pubmed entitled, A systematic review of post-deployment injury-related mortality among military personnel deployed to conflict zones. Authors Knapik JJ,etal. from the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA show the following results:
Compared with non-conflict-zone veterans, injury-related mortality was elevated for veterans serving in Vietnam during 9 to 18 years of follow-up. Similarly, injury-related mortality was elevated for veterans serving in the Persian Gulf War during 3 to 8 years of follow-up. Much of the excess mortality among conflict-zone veterans was associated with motor vehicle events.
Special Report: Breaking NEW RESEARCH FROM BOSTON VA Confirms Gulf War Veterans Health Changes Related to Sarin Gas
Breaking NEW RESEARCH FROM BOSTON VA Confirms Gulf War Veterans Health Changes Related to Sarin Gas
Gulf War Syndrome Researchers Blame Sarin Gas and Toxic Exposures
by Lourdes Salvador
Toomey and colleagues, researchers at the Boston Veterans Administration Healthcare System, confirmed that Gulf War deployment is associated with subtle declines of motor speed and sustained attention as influenced by exposure to toxicants during deployment.
Special Report: Walk to Defeat ALS - Call For Support from Gulf War Veterans Community
Walk to Defeat ALS - Call For Support from Gulf War Veterans Community
Since the community of Gulf War Veterans were the ones that brought forward the issue of ALS in Gulf War Veterans that has since been expanded to an issue of veterans at large. We think it only appropriate to encourage support of the ALS association.
In the Memory of Major Michael Donnelly(USAF), "Falcon's Cry"(his book that is a definite read written by Major Donnelly and his sister Denise and publicized by a Larry King Show interview), and his families efforts to lead the charge for Gulf War Veterans in the 1990's who developed ALS we ask our readers and groups to consider support of their annual signature events. These Walks are taking place now and you can find locations of the Walks in each state on the ALS Association WEBSITE WWW.alsa.org
Special Report: Another Drug MS and Other Immune Problems
NATIONAL LDN AWARENESS WEEK
October 19 – 25th, 2009
an old drug, a controversial treatment, successful across a range of diseases, linked by immune system dysfunction BUT YOU won't hear of it, and YOU won't be offered it.
On October 19th, patients, physicians and researchers alike will convene at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, for the Fifth Annual Conference on Low Dose Naltrexone. October 19th will also kick off the First International LDN Awareness Week – a concerted push to get the word out through the media, about thousands of patients with autoimmune diseases who are benefitting from the off-label use of one inexpensive generic drug protocol, low dose naltrexone (commonly referred to as LDN).
News: VA Continues Gulf War Research, Cancels Contract with Texas Medical Center
VA Continues Gulf War Research, Cancels Contract with UTSW Medical Center
WASHINGTON – Citing persistent noncompliance and numerous performance deficiencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not exercise the third year of a five-year, $75 million contract with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSWMC) to perform research into Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (GWVI).
“Research into the illnesses suffered by Gulf War Veterans remains a priority for VA,” said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA’s Acting Under Secretary for Health. “As part of our commitment to this vital effort, we must make certain that our resources are used to support effective and productive research.”
Special Report: A Disaster for Veterans: VA cancels Largest Gulf War Veterans Research Project
A Disaster--VA Discontinues Gulf War Research
Who are the bad guys here? A first for veterans with a major medical university stepping forward for veteran to support veterans has had endless attacks. Were they deserved?
Where is Senator Hutchinson and Congressman Edwards in this? When will they Stand up and fight? Meetings in Dallas? Names involved in this battle includes Jack Thompson, Paul Hutton, Oleary, Kuppersmith on VA side and Senator Akaka(on VA side). Where are the Senate and House Hearings on this? WE need Joint Hearings on the Hill! This Action Must be stopped or reconsidered. Is it time for Veterans to Raise A Rukus or to be heard?
RISK: Squalene has been blamed for Gulf War syndrome
By Lucy Johnston THE new swine flu vaccine contains a deadly brain toxin linked to autism, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.
Mercury, a vaccine preservative, was withdrawn from childhood jabs five years ago after evidence linked it to brain damage. However, the Sunday Express has discovered the pandemic vaccine, to be rolled out across the country within weeks, contains the heavy metal.
It also contains a chemical called squalene, used to stimulate the immune system to respond to the vaccine. Some scientists believe squalene is linked to autoimmune illnesses including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Squalene was included in the anthrax jab given to British and US soldiers during the 1991 Gulf War.
Special Report: VA Sends out letters Erroneously to Gulf War Veterans that are not diagnosed with ALS
by Denise Nichols, Staff Writer
Veterans Today stands with the NGWRC to get the Clear and Real Truth of how many Gulf War Veterans were sent these erroneous letters from the VA.
WE want to know the breakdown by VA Regional Offices how many letters were sent out erroneously that caused anxiety, fear, uncertainty within the ill Gulf War Veterans' Population.
These letters have cost individuals that immediately considering the seriousness of the ALS Diagnosis went to civilian Neurologists for all the tests that would have to be done to diagnosis them as ALS.
The trust of the Gulf War Veterans is sinking further with the government they laid their lves on the line for 19 years ago! For 19 years they have sufferred. For 19 years they should have gotten the best health care in this country.
Special Report: Desert Storm Diaries: Update Matt Letterman
Matt Letteman is now in the Air headed home to Missouri. He was release today from the VA Hospital DC. He was hospitalized from July 21 until today. He got a world class Compensation and Pension Exam and he got a very complete testing which added to his known medical problems. They were able to stabilize him and get him in better shape than he has been!
The people that were involved included every major department of the hospital. The following people had the most direct contact and were instrumental in this success.
Special Report: Gulf War Veterans and America Needs answers NOW in regards to adjuvants Swine Flu, Gardasil, and Anthrax Vaccines
Health Alert Swine Flu Vaccine
My fears for the school children of the US and all other citizens! Denials on Anthrax vaccine problems starting with gulf war veterans 90-91 must now stop for sake of all citizens!
This is just one factor of the multiple synergistic exposures that hit the gulf war veterans and post gulf war veterans. Please all we must stand up now and demand the truth to any denials. This is at critical levels!
This can not be happening but it is! Who is making all this happen? Follow the money? All I know is everyone of you need to get informed NOW!
I suggest all read these articles and the others I have posted and get informed! And share with others you know.
Special Report: National News Media/Cable TV Misses and Neglects the Veterans Health Care Issue
In continuing the discussion on the hearings held on Exposures in Iraq/OIF, the White House held a meeting with military reporters on August 4th. I have to say that this is really news, When do you remember in the past a President specifically meeting with journalist that focus on the military? I am waiting to get comments from others on that question.
Within the report was another small nugget: " But a 2008 study by researchers at Vanderbilt University found higher incidences of respiratory diseases among Kentucky soldiers after they returned from Iraq in 2003. And a VA study of more than 6,000 Iraq war troops found about 10 percent of suffered from nasal allergies, a rate twice that of troops stationed in the U.S."
Special Report: The Exposure at Qarmat Ali: Did the Army Fail to Protect U.S. Soldiers Serving in Iraq?
by Denise Nichols, Staff Writer
This is one of the reasons I did back to back trips to DC. I attended this hearing on August 3rd, arriving late thanks to my usual fun airline trip with USAirways. But was there enough to know this is yet another hazardous exposure to our troops. I had to gag when they used the same "WE Will Leave No Stone Unturned" wording that they had used with gulf war illness in the 90's. They also promise them VA care! Well I am sure the rest of us exposed veterans Gulf War illness, Agent Orange, Atomic Veterans are just so relieved to know that history has changed?
Yes I almost regurgitated and not from airsickness. When will this craziness stop! When will the veterans get their claims through in a reasonable time to help keep these veterans and their families to stay together? There needs to be a radical change here now!
Catch up time, Sorry all it has been a busy month and a half. With two trips back to back to DC and other legs of the trip. There are several articles that I wanted to post here and raising to catch up, may not be possible but I will try!
The Next article was from Health Day on Deet and neural Damage in Mice! DEET has been looked at in conjunction with other exposures from the Gulf War 1990-91 and yes it was in inventory and still out there for military use in 1990-91 in the Desert. Those old olive green cans.....
by Denise Nichols, Staff Writer 
by Denise Nichols, Staff Writer
