Vets Falsely Told They Have Lou Gherig’s Disease

At least 2,500 letters were sent to inform ALS sufferers of their disability benefits, with half being a mistake.  In the letters, recipients were informed that they had the neurodegenerative condition known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  The disorder is fatal, usually killing the patient within five years of diagnosis.  While roughly ten of the recipients of the letter returned them saying there had been a mistake,  some of the at least 1,200 individuals who received the letter in error experienced tremendous stress and anxiety over the news.  Others underwent a battery of extremely painful and expensive medical related procedures and tests.

Representatives for the National Gulf War Resource Center say that the mistake was a result of a coding error.  A Gulf War Veterans Group is asking that the VA reimburse those who spent money for medical tests related to the blunder. They said they will try to work with the VA on the matter because they realize was an honest mistake.  If the issue is not resolved however, the possibility of litigation to recover financial and punitive damages remains open.

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