tanstaafl4y
09-23-2008, 03:43 PM
This is a bit scary...Military service has been corralated to developing ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease)
Link to Full Press Release:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1583
Snippets of "stolen" text
VA Secretary Establishes ALS as a Presumptive Compensable Illness
September 23, 2008
Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may receive badly-needed support for themselves and their families after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military.
"Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than the general population, and it was appropriate to take action," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said.
ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neuromuscular disease that affects about 20,000 to 30,000 people of all races and ethnicities in the United States, is often relentlessly progressive, and is almost always fatal.
ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that leads to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. Currently, the cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no effective treatment.
For more information on VA's disability compensation program, go to www.va.gov or contact 1-800-827-1000.
Link to Full Press Release:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1583
Snippets of "stolen" text
VA Secretary Establishes ALS as a Presumptive Compensable Illness
September 23, 2008
Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may receive badly-needed support for themselves and their families after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military.
"Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than the general population, and it was appropriate to take action," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said.
ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neuromuscular disease that affects about 20,000 to 30,000 people of all races and ethnicities in the United States, is often relentlessly progressive, and is almost always fatal.
ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that leads to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. Currently, the cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no effective treatment.
For more information on VA's disability compensation program, go to www.va.gov or contact 1-800-827-1000.