Reserve Officers Association

Recognition of Illnesses Caused by Hazardous Warfare Agents
Resolution No. 10-26

WHEREAS, many servicemembers have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), encountering similar as well as new circumstances as in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the First Gulf War; and,

WHEREAS, Afghanistan was not considered part of the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during Operation Desert Storm and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) did not update Title 38 U.S. Code 1117 and 38 CFR 3.317 to include Afghanistan; and,

WHEREAS, servicemembers were exposed to depleted uranium, chemical agents, and toxic fumes in the Gulf War, OIF, OEF, in Southwest Asia; and others were exposed to Agent Orange and other noxious chemicals during the Vietnam War or the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, many veterans of the First Gulf War, OIF, OEF, Vietnam War and Korean War, including members of the Reserve Components, have been unable to obtain military treatment pending thorough scientific investigations; and while the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and VA’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) agree the Gulf War Illness exists, but they cannot agree on the methodologies of the scientific research and have varying conclusions; and

WHEREAS, the General Accounting Office (GAO) determined in June 2003 that DOD’s plume modeling results – whether or not troops were exposed to hazardous chemical warfare agents – were unreliable and therefore invalid; and,

WHEREAS, the GAO concluded in June 1997 that "neither (DoD nor VA)...can determine the appropriateness or effectiveness of the treatment received by ill Gulf War veterans";

WHEREAS, young men and women contemplating future military service may reject serving their country on grounds of potential unfulfilled commitments for health care by the military services; and

WHEREAS, legislation is needed urgently to medically and financially support ill Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Vietnam War and Korean War participants with undiagnosed medical illnesses;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, chartered by Congress, urge the Congress to enact legislation to authorize eligibility of all Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Vietnam War and Korean War veterans with undiagnosed illnesses dating subsequent to the First Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Vietnam War, Korean War to use local, military, Veterans Affairs, Public Health Service, and contract medical provider services; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Reserve Officers Association urge the Congress to enact legislation to include Afghanistan in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, appropriating eligible benefits to these veterans retroactive to the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, fund and equip these agencies to diagnose and treat, and to provide disability support identical to those with any service-related injuries or illnesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Reserve Officers Association urge the Congress to encourage the Veterans Administration not to leave any veteran behind by tightening eligibility criteria for illnesses due to the cost of research and treatment.

Adopted by the ROA National Convention 10 February 2010
Rewritten by National Headquarters - EC
Renewed as 07-13 by the National Convention, June 30, 2007
Adopted as 04-20 by the National Convention: June 12, 2004