EXAMPLES FROM DISABILITY RATING SCHEDULE Elbow, ankylosis of, at unfavorable angle (major). Kidney, removal of 1, with nephritis, infection, or Anemia, pernicious, chronic, following acute at- Esophagus, stricture of permitting passage of Neurocirculatory asthenia, with marked weak- 50 133 of extrinsic pelvic girdle muscles... *90 90 32 59 *90 59 50 87 Leprosy-as active disease and for 1 year's con- 100 65 50 30 Amputation, thumb, index, and middle fingers (major hand). Tongue, loss of whole or part-with inability to communicate by speech. 100 89 60 30 Brain, abscess of as active disease. 100 111 Also entitled to additional allowance of $47 per month (wartime) or $37.60 (peacetime). The CHAIRMAN. The next witness this morning will be Congressman John E. Henderson, from the great State of Ohio. John, would you like to come up? Do you have someone with you? STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN E. HENDERSON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO Mr. HENDERSON. No, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. We bave some conflicting committee hearings this morning, it seems. Mr. HENDERSON. I can well understand that. I am needed in committee, also, this morning. my Mr. CHAIRMAN. I have a brief statement here which I believe I would like to read. It tells just the story as I would like to have it told to this committee. The CHAIRMAN. Go right ahead. Mr. HENDERSON. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee: I appreciate the opportunity of appearing before you this morning to urge your favorable consideration of H. R. 5719. This bill, which I introduced last year, provides that in the cases of veterans developing arthritis, psychoses, or multiple sclerosis within 3 years after their separation from active duty, it will be presumed that the disability was incurred or aggravated by military service. The bill also provides that the degree of disability must be 10 percent or greater. I know, Mr. Chairman, that legislation of this nature has been considered by your committee in the past. In studying the record of such previous measures, it is my understanding that the committee has been favorably disposed toward these proposals. I believe that in justice to those of our disabled veterans who are in need of the benefits this bill will provide, it should be favorably reported during the present session of Congress. It was recognized many years ago that to fairly evaluate veterans disabilities, it was necessary to presume the possibility of service connection for certain chronic diseases whose origins and causes in individual cases are not firmly established. For instance, in the case of arthritis, diagnosticians have concluded that it is virtually impossible to approximate a date to establish the onset of the disease. It is apparent, however, that arthritis is slow to manifest its disabling and crippling effects, often involving the passage of years before even a 10 percent disability occurs. Mr. Chairman, I recognize that this leads us to medical questions wherein we must depend upon the counsel of physicians. Nevertheless, we have been informed that arthritis is thought to result from the very conditions which are the common lot of the men in our armed services. Prolonged exposure to cold and wet weather, which most servicemen have experienced, must be regarded as a casual factor in this disease for some men who suffer from it in later life. It would seem entirely proper to assume that such conditions would seriously aggravate tendencies toward arthritis in men already susceptible to the disease. Under these circumstances, I firmly believe that the present regulations which provide a presumption of service connection for arthritis occurring within 1 year following a veteran's return to civilian life are inadequate. My personal knowledge of seriously disabled veterans suffering from this disease in my own congressional district and elsewhere caused me to introduce this bill. The difficulties they have experienced in their attempts to obtain disability compensation and hospitalization have been most distressing. Established criteria requiring a presentation of definite evidence that the disease occurred while in service, or within the first year following it, is often impossible to obtain. I do not believe our veterans should be penalized because of the nature of this disease. To a great extent, veterans suffering from psychoses are in even more desperate circumstances. The complex emotional and nonfunctional causes of this disease and the public opprobrium mistakenly associated with it create great difficulties for its victims and their families. Psychiatrists have advised when the disease is diagnosed within 3 years after military service, a presumption of service connection is entirely appropriate. Here again, this disease is slow to become apparent. Often, too in the early stages of the disease, those suffering from it are protected by their families to avoid public embarrassment. It is seldom that medical attention will be sought by those who are beset by mental diseases until the disorder has reached a severely disabling stage. Again, too, we are dealing with a disability which is caused and more often aggravated by the emotional strains and tensions imposed by military life. Those of us who have been in the service have seen the effects of these strains on the men around us. I was in the infantry during World War II and observed the results of the necessary but rigorous demands of training on the emotional stamina of many men. In combat situations, these demands are multiplied many times over. These disabled veterans are entitled to the fullest consideration from their government, and I believe that the evidence for broadening the consideration they have received is overwhelmingly favorable. As a Multiple sclerosis has already received recognition to the extent of a 2-year presumption period in evaluating veterans' claims. disease, it seems even more baffling in its processes than either of the other disorders listed in my bill. It is known, however, that multiple sclerosis is more prevalent in men and that it most often attacks in the age group from 20 to 40. I am informed most medical authorities concur that multiple sclerosis develops over a long period of time and is caused by such conditions as infections, overexertion, and repeated chilling and exposure. Again, we are faced with circumstances which emphasize a need for this legislation. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of our disabled veterans, I respectfully urge that the committee carefully consider this legislative proposal. It is my belief-a belief which this committee has constantly demonstrated through the years-that we in the Congress must make all possible provision for our veterans, particularly for those who are disabled and in need. I feel strongly that the enactment of this legislation would assist in furthering the clear definition of this policy. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my statement. I appreciate very much the opportunity of being here this morning. |