Low approval rate for vets' chemical tests claims

Low approval rate for vets' chemical tests claims
Erica Werner - Associated Press Writer - June 19, 2008
WASHINGTON -- The Veterans Affairs Department has granted only 6 percent of health claims filed by veterans of secret Cold
War chemical and germ warfare tests conducted by the Pentagon, according to figures obtained Thursday by The Associated
Press.
Veterans advocates called the number appallingly low.
By comparison, about 88 percent of processed claims from Gulf War vets were granted as of last year, according to VA
documents. More than 90 percent of processed claims from Iraq and Afghanistan vets were granted as of earlier this year.
In a statement the VA said it was "incorrect" to make such comparisons because of the unique circumstances of different groups of
veterans.
The VA noted that most of the veterans of the chemical and germ tests ended their service more than three decades ago and a
study by the advisory Institute of Medicine - dismissed by veterans as shoddily done - found no clear connection between the tests
and the cancer, respiratory illnesses and other problems the veterans are now having.
During the tests thousands of service members were exposed, often without their knowledge, to real and simulated chemical and
biological agents, including sarin and VX.

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This is only for the SHAD/112 veterans, the veterans of the other Cold War classified experiments conducted at Fort detrick, Maryland and Edgewood Arsenal that were funded by DOD and the CIA, DR Sidney Gottlieb, have an even worse approval rating for compensation claims. I am in contact with 20 other "medical volunteers" from the 1955 thru 1975 period and the VA refuses to address anything related to toxic exposurez. WHY?

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