
According to the court ruling, the Army, NOT the VA, is to
provide medical care for these veterans. The medical care, including
medications, will be provided on a space-available basis at the veteran’s
nearest military medical facility with the capability and the capacity to treat
these conditions. Care will be provided for a specific period of time as stated
in the authorization letter and will be supplemental to any care the veteran is
entitled to receive through the VA.
The Army is required to notify by mail those veterans that
they can identify who may be eligible for treatment. The first notification
letters were sent out November 1, 2017. A veteran does not have to wait to
receive a letter in order to apply, however.
To be eligible, veterans must have:
-A DD214 or
War Department discharge (or the equivalent)
-volunteered
as a medical research subject in a US Army testing program
for
biological or chemical substances between 1942 and 1975, including
medications
or vaccines received as part of the US Army investigational
drug review
-a diagnosed
condition that may be connected to their participation in
these
programs
Veterans who believe they are eligible must apply through
the Army, using MEDCOM Form 840. Along with the form, veterans must submit all medical evidence regarding the condition, their VA rating determination letter, and any documents that support their involvement in the testing programs.
Because the records of many participants were destroyed and others
classified, it may be difficult for some veterans to prove their participation
in these programs. Documents, like orders showing that the veteran was
stationed at participating locations at the time, statements from physicians
stating that the condition is “more likely than not” connected to research
participation, etc., will be considered and could strengthen the veteran’s
case. Ultimately, the eligibility
decision rests with the Army Medical Command.
The court order requires the Army to set up a Benefits
Application Panel that will look at all the evidence available to determine
whether or not the diagnosed condition is related to research participation. At
this time, a list of eligible conditions/injuries has not been published, so the
Panel will review all cases that may qualify.
If you feel that you may be eligible to receive care, please
go to www.armymedicine.mil or call 1-800-984-8523.
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