Section F - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite - Updated 9/22/14

Subpart II - Compensation
Chapter 1 - Development

Overview
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In this Section
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20.   General Information on Developing Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite
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Introduction
This topic contains general information on developing claims for service connection for disabilities resulting from exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite. It includes information on
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 ·      service connection based on full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite

 ·      disabilities for which service connection may be granted

 ·      Veterans eligible for benefits, and

 ·      action to take when no disability is claimed. 
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Change Date
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a.   Service Connection Based on Full- Body Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite
<p class="MsoBlockText">38 CFR 3.316 authorizes service connection for certain diseases diagnosed in Veterans who underwent full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during military service.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Full-body exposure means that the entire body was exposed to mustard agents or Lewisite as opposed to placement of drops of mustard agent or Lewisite on one or more locations on the skin.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Mustard gas refers to either of two blister producing agents, sulphur mustard (Yperite) or nitrogen mustard.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Lewisite is a mustard vesicant agent containing arsenic.

<p class="MsoBlockText"> <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">   Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 20. General Information on Developing Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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b.   Disabilities for Which Service Connection May Be Granted
<p class="MsoBlockText">Use the table below to identify the disabilities for which service connection may be granted by presumption under   38 CFR 3.316(a) based on full-body exposure during active military service. <p class="MsoNormal"> {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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c.   Veterans Eligible for Benefits
<p class="MsoBlockText">Veterans who are eligible for benefits include those who were
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      exposed during field or chamber testing

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      exposed under battlefield conditions in World War I (WWI)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      present at the German air raid on the harbor of Bari, Italy, in World War II (WWII), or

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      engaged in the manufacturing, handling or destruction of vesicant (blistering) agents during military service. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 20. General Information on Developing Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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d.   Action to Take When No Disability Is Claimed
<p class="MsoBlockText">A claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges exposure to mustard gas or lewisite during service, but does not claim service connection for a specific disability. In cases such as these
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      inform the Veteran that exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      ask the Veteran to identify the disability(ies) that resulted from exposure to mustard gas or lewisite during service.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Important:

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Do not

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in 27.35pt"> -     process the claim as a denial, or

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in 27.35pt"> -     establish end product (EP) control for the incomplete claim.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Whenever possible, telephone the Veteran to obtain the information needed to substantiate the claim.

<p class="MsoBlockText"> 

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For more information on what constitutes a substantially complete application, see

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      38 CFR 3.159(a)(3), and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      M21-1MR, Part I, 1.B.3.a. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt"> '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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21.   Centralized Processing of Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite
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Introduction
<p class="MsoBlockText">This topic contains information on the centralized processing of claims based on the effects of exposure to mustard gas and Lewisite, including
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      centralized processing of claims at the Muskogee Regional Office (RO)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      retention of claims at the local RO, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      forwarding claims to the Muskogee RO. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">
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Change Date
<p class="MsoBlockText">September 29, 2006 {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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a.   Centralized Processing of Claims at the Muskogee RO
<p class="MsoBlockText">All claims and appeals based on exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite received on or after January 19, 2005, are centrally processed at the Muskogee Regional Office (RO). {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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b.   Retention of Claims at the Local RO
<p class="MsoBlockText">Claims based on mustard gas or Lewisite exposure received before January 19, 2005, must be retained at the local RO for processing.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Local ROs must

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      expedite the processing of these claims, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      e-mail the final rating to the Compensation Service’s mustard gas mailbox at [mailto:MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV]. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 21. Centralized Processing of Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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c.   Forwarding Claims to the Muskogee RO
<p class="MsoBlockText">Claims and appeals relating to mustard agent or Lewisite exposure received on or after January 19, 2005, must be mailed to the following address for processing:
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Department of Veterans Affairs

<p class="MsoBlockText">VARO Muskogee (21-Mustard Gas)

<p class="MsoBlockText">Federal Building

<p class="MsoBlockText">125 S. Main Street

<p class="MsoBlockText">Muskogee, OK   74401

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Notes:

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Claims folders must accompany the new claim only if the record is located in an RO’s file bank. The Muskogee RO will recall all claims folders located in records repositories.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      ROs will permanently transfer the claims folder to the Muskogee RO when forwarding it for processing of a mustard gas-related claim.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      The Muskogee RO must send an e-mail copy of each final rating decision to Compensation Service’s mustard gas mailbox at [mailto:MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV].

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      If an RO subsequently receives a claim that is not related to mustard gas exposure, the RO will request permanent transfer of the associated claims folder from the Muskogee RO. The folder will not be transferred until processing of the mustard gas claim is complete. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt"> '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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22.   Developing Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite
<p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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Introduction
<p class="MsoBlockText">This topic contains information on developing claims based on the effects of exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite, including
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      end product (EP) and jurisdictional control of claims

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      when evidence of full-body exposure is necessary

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      forwarding requests for verification of exposure to the Compensation Service’s mustard gas mailbox

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      development when Veterans are not listed in the DoD chem-bio exposure database, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      what to consider when rating claims. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">
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Change Date
<p class="MsoBlockText">September 22, 2014 <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">
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a.   EP   and Jurisdictional Control of Claims
<p class="MsoBlockText">All claims received on or after January 19, 2005, in which a Veteran alleges exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite are processed at the Muskogee RO.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">All claims for service connection for disabilities resulting from exposure to mustard agents or Lewisite are controlled with a standard compensation EP.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Enter the “Mustard Gas” Special Issue identifier on the MAP-D/VBMS contention screen.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">References:   For more information on

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      exposure to mustard gas and Lewisite, see Training Letter 05-01, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      EP codes, see M21-4, Appendix C. {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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b.   When Evidence of Full-Body Exposure Is Necessary
<p class="MsoBlockText">If a Veteran alleges exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite, but claims service connection for a disease not listed in 38 CFR 3.316(a), ask the Veteran to submit medical or scientific evidence showing a causal relationship between the disease claimed and exposure. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 22. Developing Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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c.   Forwarding Requests for   Verification of Exposure to the Compensation Service’s Mustard Gas Mailbox
<p class="MsoBlockText">If the criteria stated in M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.F.22.b, are met, send an e-mail message to the Compensation Service’s mustard gas mailbox ([mailto:MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV MUSTARDGAS@VA.GOV]) requesting verification of full-body exposure.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">The e-mail message should include the following information:

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the Veteran’s

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     full name

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     e-mail address

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     telephone number

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     date of birth

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     date of death (if applicable)

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Social Security number (SSN)

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     branch of service

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     service number

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     dates of service

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the date of the alleged exposure (month and year)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the geographic location of the alleged exposure

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the unit to which the Veteran was assigned at the time of alleged exposure

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the type of exposure involved (full-body, patch, etc.), and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the disabilities claimed as having resulted from exposure.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Upon receipt of the e-mail message, Compensation Service personnel will review the Department of Defense’s (DoD) chemical and biological (chem-bio) exposure database and confirm or deny exposure.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note:   Request from the claimant any information listed above that is not already of record in the claims folder. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">   Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 22. Developing Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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d.   Development when Veterans are not Listed in the DoD Chem Bio Database
<p class="MsoBlockText">If Compensation Service reports that the Veteran is not listed in the DoD chem-bio database, mail documentation of the Veteran’s exposure to the Compensation Service at the following address:
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Department of Veterans Affairs

<p class="MsoBlockText">Compensation Service (212)

<p class="MsoBlockText">ATTN: Mustard Gas Manager

<p class="MsoBlockText">810 Vermont Ave, NW

<p class="MsoBlockText">Washington, DC   20420

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">The documentation should include the following:

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the Veteran’s

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     full name

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     service number

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     SSN, and

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     full organizational designation (unit, company, division, etc.) at the time of alleged exposure(s)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the number of exposures

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the date of the alleged exposure(s) (month and year)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the geographical location of the alleged exposure(s)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the type of activity the Veteran was engaged in at the time of each exposure, such as basic training or involvement in a test or experiment

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      details of the exposure, including

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     the length of time the Veteran was exposed

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     the procedures that were followed before, during, and after the exposure

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     the effect of the exposure on the Veteran’s body, and

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     whether the Veteran received medical treatment following exposure

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      a copy of the Veteran’s military personnel file, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      any 3-inch by 5-inch index card in the service records documenting exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite. (Note: In some cases, DoD placed in the service records a 3-inch by 5-inch index card containing detailed information about mustard gas or Lewisite exposure.)

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note:   Upon receipt, the Compensation Service will forward this documentation to the Deployment Health Directorate for a determination regarding exposure. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 22. Developing Claims Based on the Effects of Exposure to Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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e.   What to Consider When Rating Claims
<p class="MsoBlockText">When rating claims, consider that
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the acute effects of exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite may be evident in the service medical records (SMRs)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the delayed effects of exposure may appear even though no acute effects were noted in service, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the Veteran may have been exposed to mustard gas or Lewisite outside of service.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For more information on rating activity procedures, see Training Letter 05-01.
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