VA Secretary Rejects Presumption for
Diabetes for Agent Orange Veterans

It was reported some time ago that Agent Orange contained carcinogens that caused diabetes and other illnesses. This is ofgreat interest to Atomic veterans because the diabetes from which some of them suffer may have been caused by a carcinogen produced by nuclear explosions. The VA Agent Orange Task Force recommended unanimously on April 30, 1999 one year ago as this is being written, to make diabetes presumptive for Agent Orange veterans. Then VA Undersecretary for Health, Dr. Denneth Kizer and Joe Thompson who handles benefits for the VA concurred with the Task Force's findings and asked to make diabetes presumptive. But VA Secretary Togo West informed Dr. Kizer last June that due to certain "unresolved issues," he was unable to "establish a prersumption of service connection for diabetes."

Rick Weidman, director of government relations for the Vietnam Veterans of America said "West is siding with the cost-cutters." [Source: An AP despatch to The New York Times, April 16, 2000]. Obviously, the "cost-cutters" referred to are probably the same as those who reject legislation to make more diseases presumptive for Atomic Veterans. [See our article on prostrate cancer on page 2. Ed]

Return to Atomic Veterans Radiation News Menu
Return to U.S. Veteran Information Main Menu

---

This message was brought to you by Atomic Veterans Radiation News, a monthly publication of the Atomic Veterans Radiation Research Institute, Oscar Rosen, Ph.D. President. For additional information, click HERE. Thank you.