Letter to Robert McDonald, Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Acknowledge Inadequate Research Following NPR'S Publication of Mustard Gas Exposure Database

Letter

Dear Secretary McDonald:

Thank you for your August 12, 2015, response to our letter regarding exposure of certain U.S. military personnel to mustard gas testing by the Department of Defense. As you may be aware, National Public Radio (NPR) has recently published an online database containing comprehensive results from its investigation. The Department should review that information as soon as possible, and work proactively to assist any newly identified veterans.

Recall, reports over the summer described a classified Department of Defense program to test mustard gas and other chemical weapons on U.S. service members during World War II. The report also stated that NPR investigators were able to locate more than 1,200 affected veterans over a period of weeks, while the VA had only located around 600 over two decades.

Yesterday NPR announced it has created a publically available database featuring its findings from that investigation. We urge the Department to review all available data to identify affected veterans and proactively contact those that may be eligible for VA benefits associated with their exposure, or may have received denied claims from VA in the past. These veterans were subjected to appalling mistreatment and many bear the physical and mental scars of this abuse. The Department has a duty to acknowledge NPR's efforts and adopt new research procedures to improve the way affected veterans are located.

We appreciate your continued attention to this matter, and look forward to working with you. Thank you for your continued service on behalf of our nation and its veterans.

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