http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/12/09/opinion/doc4d010e1d8898e323653020.txtAs we enter our second decade of war, the DoD has released some sobering statistics.
According to multiple studies by Dale Griffin of the USGS and Capt. Mark Lyles of the Naval War College, the troops based in Iraq and Kuwait have been subject to multiple toxic exposures. Most of these exposures were a result of the severe sandstorms that exist both naturally and as a result of construction and battle.
A recent analysis of these studies revealed that in active-duty troops the rate of respiratory ailments from 2001 to 2009 rose 32 percent.In that same time frame, pregnancy and birth complications were up 47 percent; and neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, were up nearly 200 percent.
I point this out to remind stop-lossed veterans to submit your application for retroactive pay and to register with the Veterans Benefit Administration. The application for stop-lossed veterans has been extended until Dec. 18.
Application Instructions are as follows:
1. Have a copy of your DD-214 and your DD-4 (enlistment contract) easily accessible.
2. Go to www.defense.gov/stoploss.
3. Find the link for your branch at the top right of the site and follow the instructions.
Please register with the Veterans Benefit Administration, as well. You can find out everything you need to know at the following site:
http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/You have served your country well. It’s our turn to repay the favor.
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