Blumenthal Calls on DOD to Take Immediate Action after 629 Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans Report Toxic Exposure

(Hartford, CT) – Following media accounts that 629 Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans who reported toxic exposure to chemical weapons never received proper medical screenings and that the U.S. Department of Defense failed to document such reports, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today issued a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urging immediate action. In his letter, Blumenthal requests a full list of Connecticut veterans who reported toxic exposure to chemical weapons, as well as a comprehensive plan from the DoD to address benefit claims related to such exposures. 

In response to previous reports of toxic exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, Blumenthal introduced the bipartisan Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014, which calls for research into the health conditions of descendants of veterans exposed to toxins while serving. Further, the bill would authorize the DoD to declassify certain incidents of toxic chemical exposure to enable further research, and would create a national outreach campaign on the long-term effects of exposure to toxic substances.

Full text of the letter:

 Dear Secretary Hagel:

The Pentagon’s recently initiated internal review of the potential toxic exposure of Iraq veterans to chemical weapons such as mustard agents and sarin gas is an important first step. I appreciate your efforts to address this tragic failure to respond adequately to the needs of veterans at risk. The military must act swiftly and decisively to identify anyone who may have been exposed to toxic substances and ensure that they receive the care they need. 

One major cause of inadequate past medical care was apparently concealment of exposure incidents. Whatever the motives or reasons, the failure to disclose this severely dangerous medical risk also often meant denial of proper medical care. If reports of such actions are accurate, now is the time for the full truth to be disclosed, and for immediate and complete medical treatment to be provided. 

This issue also demonstrates one of the most pressing problems confronting veterans – made clear concerning other health issues both during hearings of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and directly from my constituents: the lack of continuity of medical care as military personnel transition from active service into civilian life. My constituents have told me about their difficulties in completing post-deployment health assessments, particularly as medical service records too frequently are not delivered to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Problems of coordination are vividly illustrated by issues like this one: the military has too often failed to record and share with the VA data regarding potential or confirmed toxic exposure. 

The net result is unconscionable: more than 600 soldiers who reported their belief that they were exposed to chemical, biological, or radiological warfare agents received no adequate medical care. 

In response to previous reports of toxic exposure, such as Agent Orange in Vietnam and the “burn pits” in Iraq, I introduced the bipartisan Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014 (S. 2738) this July. The legislation provides for increased study and treatment of health conditions that result from exposure to toxic weapons during military service. Among other reforms, the legislation would establish a national center to spur research and declassify appropriate documents related to incidents of toxic exposure. Several of the actions that the bill directs, such as initiating a national outreach and education campaign to reach potential victims of toxic exposure, are already within your power.

I urge you to take such steps -- and others --to address this issue as quickly as possible. You have authority and responsibility to identify comprehensively those service members, veterans, and families who may have been exposed to toxic substances; ensure that all necessary and appropriate information about these cases is declassified and provided to the responsible medical treatment centers; and, crucially, provide that any applicable veteran’s or other benefit claims decision is made in accordance with the sacred obligation of the United States to keep faith with our military and veterans. If any adverse benefits decisions have resulted from a lack of understanding about this problem, or from any concealment, those decisions should be reversed. 

I call for the Department of Defense to develop and implement a comprehensive, inter-agency plan to take these steps. I also request that you provide me, as soon as possible, with a list of any service members, veterans, and military family members identified in your review who are from Connecticut. I look forward to working with you to ensure that all who have served our nation receive the highest standard of care to address harm caused by exposure to chemical weapons. 

Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal

United States Senate