NEWS FROM….

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, DC – Congressman Lane Evans of Illinois, Democratic Leader of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today wrote the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Togo D. West, Jr., to express his apprehension that an important research project may have gone awry. "I am writing regarding the sarcoidosis-pneumoconiosis clinical project recently completed by the VA to examine Navy veterans who may suffer from work related respiratory diseases," Evans said.

Concerns have been raised that Boatswain mates who served in the Navy during the 1960s and 1970s and were assigned the task of grinding non-skid material from the decks of ships may suffer from respiratory illnesses due to dust exposure. Many of these personnel may have been misdiagnosed as having sarcoidosis, a condition of unknown etiology that affects African-Americans in a disproportionate manner. "I am deeply concerned that the project may not have been conducted in a manner that would provide clear information on the potential health consequences of this service-connected work," Evans said.

These concerns, bolstered by Evans’ specific request for the VA to evaluate a number of cases that may involve work-related dust exposures, led the VA to conduct the sarcoidosis-pneumoconiosis clinical project. The effort, which involved contacting and evaluating some 58 veterans who may have occupational lung disease due to dust exposure, concluded that the results did not support misdiagnosis of pneumoconiosis as sarcoidosis.

"However, Evans wrote, "it has been brought to my attention that the study was conducted in a limited manner that impacted its ability to evaluate veterans effectively." Dr. Jerrold L. Abraham and Dr. Elaine Panitz, experts in occupational/environmental pathology and occupational medicine, found that outreach for the project was lacking. Additionally, they believe that the VA conducted an inadequate review of incomplete summaries of medical records, rather than reviewing medical records in their entirety. The two scientists also believe VA failed to use adequate diagnostic methods, and conclude the report's findings have no scientific basis.

"Due to their concerns, as well as my own, over the integrity of the project," Evans said, " I ask that you review their letter and respond to each one of their critiques point by point." The scientists’ letter also contains recommendations for further research. Evans asked West for VA's position and comments on these recommendations, and urged him to respond by March 31, 2000, to fit into the budget cycle.

How many sailors were grinding decks between 1960 and 1980? "It concerns me," Evans said, "that we could be talking about a significant number of Navy veterans. It seems that every time VA is asked whether veterans suffer from a service-connected environmental exposure, the initial response is a denial, followed by inadequate investigations. Congress needs to know that this study is being done right."