§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have on the decision of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to compensate Gulf war veterans afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease, and the reasoning that informed their decision. [HL168]
§ Lord BachOn 10 December 2001 the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the preliminary findings of a US Government-sponsored study of the prevalence among US Gulf veterans of motor neurone disease (MND), known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the US. The VA and US Department of Defense both released some information about the study and its implications via news releases available on the Internet atwww.va.gov/opa/pressrel/docs/dsals.doc and www.gulflink.osd.mil/latest_news.html. The Ministry of Defence has received no further information and awaits publication of the detailed research. The MoD cannot take a view on whether there is a link between MND and service in the Gulf until the research has been published.
72WAIt has always been the case in the United Kingdom that because the cause of MND is not known, if it is diagnosed and claimed within seven years of leaving the Armed Forces a war disablement pension, and associated benefits, may be paid. In addition, UK Gulf veterans may qualify for benefits under the Armed Forces Pensions Scheme.