Determination of Presumption of Service Connection Concerning Illnesses Discussed in National Academy of Sciences Report on Gulf War and Health: Volume 5: Infectious Diseases, 15063-15066 [E9-7342]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 62 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15063-15066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7342]



[[Page 15063]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Determination of Presumption of Service Connection Concerning 
Illnesses Discussed in National Academy of Sciences Report on Gulf War 
and Health: Volume 5: Infectious Diseases

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As required by law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
hereby gives notice that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, under the 
authority granted by the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998, Public 
Law 105-277, title XVI, 112 Stat. 2681-742 through 2681-749 (codified 
in part at 38 U.S.C. 1118), has determined that there is no basis to 
establish a presumption of service connection for Al Eskan disease, 
idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia, wound and nosocomial 
infection, mycoplasmas, as discussed in the October 2006 report of the 
National Academy of Sciences, titled ``Gulf War and Health Volume 5: 
Infectious Diseases'', or for any illness based on exposure to 
biologic-warfare agents during service in the Persian Gulf during the 
Persian Gulf War.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Kniffen, Chief, Regulations 
Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Statutory Requirements

    The Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998, Public Law 105-277, 
title XVI, 112 Stat. 2681-742 through 2681-749 (codified at 38 U.S.C. 
1118), and the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, Public Law 
105-368, 112 Stat. 3315, directed the Secretary to seek to enter into 
an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review and 
evaluate the available scientific evidence regarding associations 
between illnesses and exposure to toxic agents, environmental or 
wartime hazards, or preventive medicines or vaccines to which service 
members may have been exposed during service in the Persian Gulf during 
the Persian Gulf War. Congress directed the NAS to identify agents, 
hazards, medicines, and vaccines to which service members may have been 
exposed during service in the Persian Gulf during the Persian Gulf War.
    Congress mandated that the NAS determine, to the extent possible: 
(1) Whether there is a statistical association between exposure to the 
agent, hazard, medicine, or vaccine and the illness, taking into 
account the strength of the scientific evidence and the appropriateness 
of the scientific methodology used to detect the association; (2) the 
increased risk of illness among individuals exposed to the agent, 
hazard, medicine, or vaccine; and (3) whether a plausible biological 
mechanism or other evidence of a causal relationship exists between 
exposure to the agent, hazard, medicine, or vaccine and the illness.
    Section 1118 of Title 38 of the United States Code provides that 
whenever the Secretary determines, based on sound medical and 
scientific evidence, that a positive association (i.e., the credible 
evidence for the association is equal to or outweighs the credible 
evidence against the association) exists between exposure of humans or 
animals to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent, environmental 
or wartime hazard, or preventive medicine or vaccine known or presumed 
to be associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of 
operations during the Persian Gulf War and the occurrence of a 
diagnosed or undiagnosed illness in humans or animals, the Secretary 
will publish regulations establishing presumptive service connection 
for that illness. If the Secretary determines that a presumption of 
service connection is not warranted, he is to publish a notice of that 
determination, including an explanation of the scientific basis for 
that determination. The Secretary's determination must be based on 
consideration of the NAS reports and all other sound medical and 
scientific information and analysis available to the Secretary.
    Although section 1118 does not define ``credible evidence,'' it 
does instruct the Secretary to consider whether the results (of any 
report, information, or analysis) are statistically significant, are 
capable of replication, and withstand peer review. See 38 U.S.C. 
1118(b)(2)(B). Simply comparing the number of studies that report a 
significantly increased relative risk to the number of studies that 
report a relative risk that is not significantly increased is not a 
valid method for determining whether the weight of evidence overall 
supports a finding that there is or is not a positive association 
between exposure to an agent, hazard, medicine, or vaccine and the 
subsequent development of the particular illness. Because of 
differences in statistical significance, confidence levels, control for 
confounding factors, and other pertinent characteristics, some studies 
are clearly more credible than others, and the Secretary gives the more 
credible studies more weight in evaluating the overall weight of the 
evidence concerning specific illnesses.

II. Prior National Academy of Sciences Reports

    The NAS issued its initial report titled, Gulf War and Health, 
Volume 1: ``Depleted Uranium, Sarin, Pyridostigmine Bromide, 
Vaccines,'' on January 1, 2000. In that report, NAS limited its 
analysis to the health effects of depleted uranium, the chemical 
warfare agent, sarin, vaccinations against botulism toxin and anthrax, 
and pyridostigmine bromide, which was used in the Persian Gulf War as a 
pretreatment for possible exposure to nerve agents. On July 6, 2001, VA 
published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the Secretary's 
determination that the available evidence did not warrant a presumption 
of service connection for any disease discussed in that report. See 66 
FR 35702 (2001).
    The NAS issued its second report titled, ``Gulf War and Health, 
Volume 2: Insecticides and Solvents,'' on February 18, 2003. In that 
report, the NAS focused on the health effects of insecticides and 
solvents that were shipped to the Persian Gulf during the Persian Gulf 
War. The pesticides considered by the NAS were organophosphorous 
compounds (Malathion, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, and 
azamethiphos), carbamates (carbaryl, propoxur, and methomyl), 
pyrethrins and pyrethyroids (permethrin and d-phenothrin), lindane, and 
N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). The NAS considered 53 solvents in 
eight groups: aromatic hydrocarbons (including benzene), halogenated 
hydrocarbons (including tetrachloroethylene and dry-cleaning solvents), 
alcohols, glycols, glycol esters, esters, ketones, and petroleum 
distillates. On August 24, 2007, VA published a notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the Secretary's determination that the available 
evidence did not warrant a presumption of service connection for any 
disease discussed in that report. 72 FR 48734 (2007).
    The NAS issued an update on sarin in a report titled ``Gulf War and 
Health: Updated Literature Review of Sarin,'' on August 20, 2004. In 
that report, the NAS focused on the long-term health effects from 
exposure to the nerve agent, sarin. VA published a Federal Register 
Notice announcing the Secretary's determination that it was not 
necessary to establish new presumptions of

[[Page 15064]]

service connection for any diseases based on the updated findings on 
long-term health effects from sarin. 73 FR 42411 (2008).
    The NAS issued its third report, titled ``Gulf War and Health, 
Volume 3: Fuels, Combustion Products, and Propellants,'' on December 
20, 2004. In that report, the NAS focused on the health effects of 
hydrazines, red fuming nitric acid, hydrogen sulfide, oil-fire 
byproducts, diesel-heater fumes, and fuels (for example, jet fuel and 
gasoline). VA published a Federal Register Notice announcing the 
Secretary's determination that the available evidence did not warrant a 
presumption of service connection for any disease discussed in that 
report. 73 FR 50856 (2008).
    The NAS issued its fourth report, titled ``Gulf War and Health 
Volume 4. Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War,'' on September 12, 
2006. In that report the NAS focused on the health status of veterans 
of the 1991 Gulf War. The report was intended to inform VA about 
illnesses and clinical issues including possible relevant treatments, 
which might have been overlooked among this population, regardless of 
the specific underlying cause. VA is drafting a Federal Register notice 
announcing the Secretary's determination that the available evidence 
does not warrant a presumption of service connection for any disease 
discussed in that report.

III. Gulf War and Health, Volume 5: Infectious Diseases

    The NAS committee issued its fifth report, titled ``Gulf War and 
Health Volume 5: Infectious Diseases'' on October 16, 2006. The 
committee reviewed published, peer-reviewed scientific and medical 
literature on long-term health effects from infectious diseases 
associated with Southwest Asia. Based on the NAS's report, VA is 
currently drafting a proposed rule to establish presumptive service 
connection for nine infectious diseases discussed in the report and 
providing guidance regarding long-term health effects associated with 
these diseases.
    However, the NAS additionally discussed several infectious diseases 
and agents that had been identified as possible causes of illnesses in 
veterans with service in Southwest Asia or that otherwise presented 
issues of special interest to such veterans. This notice provides the 
Secretary's determination that the scientific evidence in the report 
does not warrant a presumption of service connection for any illnesses 
caused by these diseases and agents. The diseases and agents are Al 
Eskan disease, idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia, wound and 
nosocomial infection, mycoplasmas, and biologic-warfare agents.

Al Eskan Disease

    Al Eskan disease is named after a village in Saudi Arabia where 
U.S. military personnel lived during the 1991 Gulf War. These soldiers 
reported a vague systemic illness causing primarily respiratory 
symptoms that was termed Al Eskan disease or Desert Storm pneumonitis 
in three studies: Korenyi-Both et al. 1992; Korenyi-Both et al. 1997; 
Korenyi-Both et al. 2000. During Operation Desert Shield (ODSh) and 
Operation Desert Storm (ODSt), approximately 697,000 troops were 
deployed. Although researchers are unable to determine the exact number 
of troops affected by Al Eskan disease, data on respiratory illnesses 
in troops reveal that respiratory symptoms in general were more common 
in those with a history of lung disease, smoking, and longer 
deployment; more common in those with less outdoor exposure; more 
common in those with less outdoor exposure; and were most prominent in 
personnel who slept in air-conditioned facilities. Al Eskan disease or 
a similar illness has not been reported in troops deployed to Operation 
Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
    Al Eskan disease was first reported in 1992, and was characterized 
by sudden or insidious onset of chills, fever, sore throat, hoarseness, 
nausea and vomiting, and generalized malaise followed by respiratory 
tract complaints which included increasingly severe dry cough or 
expectoration of tan sputum (Korenyi-Both et al. 1992). The disease 
appears to be self-limited, and physical findings are minimal. Systemic 
description and precise definition of Al Eskan disease are unavailable.
    Korenyi-Both and colleagues have ascribed Al Eskan disease to an 
immune response to sand-particle exposure, and argued that Al Eskan 
disease is most likely a form of acute silicosis aggravated by the 
pulmonary immune response and perhaps other genetic and environmental 
factors (Korenyi-Both et al. 1992; Korenyi-Both et al. 1997; Korenyi-
Both et al. 2000). There are no clinical data to support this 
hypothesis and no reports of chronic lung disease consistent with 
silicosis in veterans. The hypotheses and conclusions of these 
researchers have not been uniformly accepted and have generated 
considerable debate (Clooman et al. 2000; Kilpatrick 2000).
    The NAS found that no data link Al Eskan disease to any specific 
chronic illness. Further, there is no evidence that the syndrome or 
disease observed in troops in Al Eskan village was caused by a 
communicable microbial pathogen. Koryeni-Both et al. have argued that 
the disease is caused by exposure to the unique sand dust of the 
central and eastern Arabian Peninsula and in particular to the silica 
in the sand. However, more than 13 years have passed since the initial 
description of Al Eskan disease appeared in the literature, and 
researchers have been unable to link chronic respiratory diseases in 
military personnel to exposure to Persian Gulf sand.
    Based on the NAS report, the Secretary has determined that there is 
insufficient evidence to conclude that there is a positive association 
between the condition described as Al Eskan disease and exposure to an 
agent, hazard, preventive medicine or vaccine associated with Gulf War 
service. To the extent the described condition involves respiratory 
symptoms of unknown etiology, current VA regulations provide a 
presumption of service connection for chronic disability due to 
undiagnosed illness manifest by respiratory signs and symptoms. See 38 
CFR 3.317.

Idiopathic Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia

    Idiopathic Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia (IAEP) is a syndrome 
characterized by a febrile illness, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, and 
pulmonary eosinophilia (Allen et al. 1989; Badesch et al. 1989; Philit 
et al. 2002). Patients with IAEP have no history of asthma, allergy, or 
chronic lung disease and no discernible infection. Patients with IAEP 
present with fever, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, cough, shortness of 
breath, and, not infrequently, respiratory failure. Most IAEP patients 
who survive the acute illness make a complete recovery. Eighteen 
soldiers deployed to Southwest Asia in OIF developed IAEP.
    In many cases, IAEP has been associated with cigarette smoking and 
exposure to dust (Badesch et al. 1989; Pope-Harman et al. 1996; Rom et 
al. 2002). No causative pathogens were detected or implied by the 
immune repose of soldiers with IAEP (Allen et al. 1989; Shorr et al. 
2004). Survey results failed to identify a common source of 
environmental, drug, or toxin exposure (Shorr et al. 2004). IAEP would 
not be expected to have long-term adverse health outcomes.
    Based on the NAS report, the Secretary has determined that there is 
insufficient evidence to conclude that there is a positive association 
between IAEP and exposure to an agent, hazard,

[[Page 15065]]

preventive medicine, or vaccine associated with Gulf War service.

Wound and Nosocomial Infection

    Soldiers can experience a wide variety of exposures to pathogens 
from explosives or combat (wound infections) or in health-care settings 
(nosocomial infections). One condition that is more prevalent in troops 
in Southwest Asia than in civilian settings is infection with 
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, a well-recognized cause 
of wound infection in general and among military troops in particular 
(CDC 2004; Davis et al. 2005). The complex is also a cause of 
nosocomially-acquired infection when wounded, infected soldiers are 
intermingled with other patients in the intensive care unit, emergency 
room, or hospital ward.
    Research data has also revealed that A. baumannii bacteremia was 
common in OEF and OIF returnees who were hospitalized for injuries, 
although it was rare before the state of OEF and OIF (CDC 2004; Davis 
et al. 2005; Zapor and Moran 2005), and that nearly any war-theater 
injury, whether combat-derived or otherwise, may result in infection. 
The risk of infection is inherent in military service, training, 
readiness activities, transport, or combat (Zapor and Moran 2005).
    Both wound infections and nosocomial infections are hazards for 
U.S. personnel deployed to Southwest Asia. Given modern medical and 
surgical treatment and the ability to evacuate injured military 
personnel rapidly, most infections will be seen within days or weeks of 
wounds.
    The NAS found that both wound infections and nosocomial infections 
manifest within a short period after injury or exposure, such that 
making an epiodemiological link between a particular infection and the 
precipitating wound or exposure is rarely difficult. The NAS further 
noted that, in rare cases, infections associated with chronic 
osteomyelitis could go undetected and become manifest after service, 
although it noted a ``near absence'' of case reports documenting that 
occurrence. In view of the possibility of infections from other 
military and civilian sources outside of Gulf War service, the NAS 
stated that determining whether any infections manifest after service 
were associated with such service or with other causes would require 
case-by-case evaluations of the epidemiologic, clinical, and 
microbiological characteristics of the infection.
    Based on the NAS report, the Secretary has determined that there is 
insufficient evidence to conclude that there is a positive association 
between wound or nosocomial infections manifest after service and any 
exposure to an agent, hazard, preventive medicine, or vaccine 
associated with Gulf War service. Any such infections manifest within 
service or within a short period following an in-service wound or 
exposure would be subject to service connection on a direct basis under 
current law.

Mycoplasmas

    Mycoplasmas are ubiquitous microorganisms found as commensal 
colonizers and as pathogens in plants, insects, and animals. They are 
pleomorphic and filamentous and have a deformable membrane, which 
allows them to pass through filters that retain bacteria. They are 
fastidious and difficult to culture on cell-free media; at the same 
time, because of their common presence as nonpathogenic colonizers, 
they are common contaminants of cell cultures. The propensity for 
contamination of cell cultures can lead to false conclusions about the 
association of mycoplasmas with a variety of clinical syndromes (Baum 
2005).
    Culture of Mycoplasma fermentans on cell-free media (which decrease 
the risk of contamination) has been extremely difficult, and this has 
led to controversy over whether the organisms are true pathogens or 
merely contaminants.
    The NAS noted that mycoplasmas are ubiquitous and did not suggest 
that they are more prevalent in the Gulf War theater than in other 
locations. However, it addressed mycoplasmas as a matter of special 
interest to Gulf War veterans because certain researchers have 
suggested that many of the symptoms of Gulf War illness could be 
explained by aggressive mycoplasma infections present as contaminants 
in vaccines administered to service members before deployment to the 
Gulf.
    Several studies by Nicolson and colleagues report a link between 
Mycoplasma fermentans and health problems in Gulf War veterans 
(Nicolson et al. 2002; Nicolson et al. 2003; Nicolson and Rosenberg-
Nicolson 1995; Nicolson and Nicolson 1996). Nicolson and colleagues 
hypothesized that the source of such infections in Gulf War veterans 
may have been contamination of the multiple vaccines received by troops 
before and during deployment (Nicolson et al. 2003). It was suggested 
that many of the symptoms of Gulf War illness could be explained by 
``aggressive pathogenic mycoplasma infections, and they should be 
treatable with multiple courses of antibiotics, such as doxycycline or 
macrolides'' (Nicolson and Rosenberg-Nicolson 1995). However, 
independent attempts to confirm the results of studies conducted by 
Nicolson and his colleagues have been unsuccessful (Gray et al. 1999; 
Lo et al. 2000). One report noted that the methodology used by Nicolson 
and colleagues was ``an inappropriate diagnostic method for detection 
of M. fermentans'' and that neither the specificity nor the sensitivity 
of the test had been established (Dybvig 1998). Because of the 
conflicting data related to M. fermentans infections and their possible 
association with Gulf War illnesses and the suggestion of possible 
benefits of treatment with doxycycline, VA conducted a randomized 
placebo-controlled trial to determine whether doxycycline could improve 
functional status of persons with Gulf War illness (Donta et al. 2004). 
Overall, the results of this study revealed no statistically 
significant difference between the doxycycline-treated and placebo 
groups.
    Although several studies by Nicolson and colleagues report a link 
between Mycoplasma fermentans and health problems in Gulf War veterans 
(Nicolson et al. 2002; Nicolson et al. 2003; Nicolson and Rosenberg-
Nicolson 1995; Nicolson and Nicolson 1996), other investigators were 
not able to duplicate their work and there are concerns about the 
nuclear gene tracking technique used by Nicolson et al. (Dybvig 1998; 
Gray et al. 1999; Lo et al. 2000). After reviewing the evidence, 
mycoplasma infection is not believed to be related to the symptoms 
reported by Gulf War veterans.
    Based on the NAS report, the Secretary has determined that there is 
insufficient evidence to conclude that there is a positive association 
between mycoplasma infections and any exposure to an agent, hazard, 
preventive medicine, or vaccine associated with Gulf War service. The 
evidence does not show that mycoplasma infections are associated with 
Gulf War illness or any other chronic health outcome.

Biologic-Warfare Agents

    Biologic warfare is defined as the use of microorganisms or toxic 
products derived from microorganisms to inflict mass casualties in 
military and civilian populations (Horn 2003). At the time of the 1991 
Gulf War, Iraq had an active biologic warfare program. Iraq developed 
bombs, missile warheads, aerosol generators, and helicopter and jet 
spray systems for dispersal of biological warfare agents (Leitenberg 
2001). Iraqi sources reported that aflatoxin, botulinum toxin, and 
Bacillus anthracis were loaded in missiles and air-delivery bombs in 
preparation for

[[Page 15066]]

the Gulf War (Roffey et al. 2002). Of the four biological warfare 
agents that Iraqi sources reported weaponized: aflatoxin, botulinum 
toxin, Bacillus anthracis, and ricin, only anthrax is a living 
microorganism and capable of multiplying in infected people. However, 
no evidence has been found that Iraq deployed any weapons containing 
biological warfare agents (Roffey et al. 2002; Zilinskas 1997).
    Based on the NAS report, the Secretary has concluded that a 
presumption is not warranted for any disease associated with exposure 
to biological warfare agents because such weapons were not shown to 
have been deployed in the Gulf War.

IV. Conclusion

    After careful review of the findings of the 2006 NAS report, ``Gulf 
War & Health Volume 5: Infectious Diseases,'' the Secretary has 
determined that the scientific evidence presented in the report and 
other information available to the Secretary indicate that no new 
presumption of service connection is warranted for Al Eskan disease, 
idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia, wound and nosocomial 
infection, mycoplasmas, or for any illness based on exposure to 
biologic-warfare agents.

    Approved: March 26, 2009.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E9-7342 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE