ALS "Ice Bucket Challenge"

The ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” has become the internet sensation this summer. Your Facebook account probably has received dozens of these videos and challenges designed to raise money for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.  You may have seen former President George W. Bush participate in the challenge which made broadcast news.  The DOD has now declared that military personnel cannot participate in such a challenge in uniform because it may be construed as an implied endorsement of support by DOD. Ok, that is overreacting, without thinking the problem through. 

DOD should know that ALS afflicts US Military Veterans at twice the rate of the civilian population.  The data which VA, ALS, Harvard University and many medical schools have reviewed supports this conclusion.  The reason for the startling medical fact is unknown at this time. 

In fact, no one knows why U.S. military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS than the general population, or why those who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990-91 may be twice as likely to get the disease as other troops. Although it’s still a rare illness, affecting about 30,000 people across the country, it is so devastating to its victims and their families that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have made a mission out of trying to reduce their suffering.   

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/08/3682151/more-vets-suffer-from-als-but.html#storylink=cpy

VA will treat ALS as a presumptive disease for veterans disability compensation purposes.  So after viewing the 100^th bucket of cold water being dumped on friends, relatives and celebrities, the challenge is getting a little tedious.   However, it is raising money for necessary medical research.  I just wish that DOD & VA would use this opportunity to let veterans and the general population know that this is a situation that is inflicting our veterans at twice the normal rate.  Did you know that?  Think about that or “paste” the above comment into your Facebook page next time a friend sends you one of those videos. 

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140821/NEWS05/308210042

Veterans With ALS

Kristina Derro
Veterans Disability Lawyer

Veterans may be at a higher risk of developing ALS, also known as Lou Gherig’s disease.

Several studies have found a possible link between the disease and military service.  Because of these findings, in 2008 the Department of Veteran Affairs began setting aside benefits specifically for veterans who developed the disease.

The results of these studies were mixed.  Several suggested an increased incidence of the disease in veterans who served as far back as 1910.  Another study concluded that veterans are 50% more likely to develop ALS than the general population.

The benefits provided to these veterans vary based on service time and other factors, but ALS is now presumed to be a disease compensable by VA.  Veterans diagnosed with ALS are eligible for disability pay as well as money to modify their homes, vehicles to transport them, insurance for dependents, and survivors’ benefits.

However, none of the above studies have been able to find a common element among veterans with ALS.  One study found increased levels of lead in the blood, but it is unclear if that was significant.  Another found that ALS might be linked to head trauma, pesticides, or burning oil fields – but the findings weren’t conclusive.

For now, all that is certain is the link between ALS and military service is complicated, and there are probably a lot of factors at play.

To learn more or to see the original article, please visit:

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/veterans-risk-of-developing-als-might-be-higher-1.184919