FederalDaily - November 14, 2006
Studies Suggest Link Between Military Service, ALS
Researchers are cautiously interpreting new data that suggests an association between military service
and later development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare but fatal neurodegenerative disorder—commonly
known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A new report from the National Institute of Medicine (IOM) indicates
that Gulf War veterans’ chances of developing ALS are as much as two times higher than those
of the general population, or of veterans who served during the same era but were not deployed to the
Persian Gulf during the 1990-1991 conflict. IOM looked at five studies, all with their own limitations.
Three studies suggested the link, and another study reported that military service prior to the Gulf
War is associated with a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing the disorder. The fifth study did not
find an association between military service and ALS. More studies on the relationship between military
service and ALS are needed and research also should explore what might be causing ALS among veterans—whether
it’s chemicals, involvement in traumatic events or something else, the report said. Currently,
veterans of the Persian Gulf War receive Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation if
they develop ALS; other veterans do not. To see more, go to: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11757
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Lawmaker Backs Increased Vet Benefits
In honor of Veterans Day, Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called for the incoming 110th Congress to consider
increasing veterans’ educational and job training opportunities to help them transition back
into civilian life. “Our nation must fulfill our obligation to veterans now and in the future,” Brown
said. “Members of the military need to know their families will be taken care of in their absence,
injured soldiers should have access to the best available health services, and disabled veterans must
have access to high-quality, comprehensive care for their service-connected injuries.” Brown,
an Iraq War opponent, is one of a number of lawmakers seeking troop withdrawals. Brown, who will soon
be moving to the Senate, said Congress should update the GI Bill, which provides post-service educational
benefits. It would “provide long overdue benefits for the veterans and military retirees who
have already served,” Brown said. A House member since 1992, Brown defeated Republican Sen. Mike
DeWine in the midterm election. To see more, go to: www.house.gov/sherrodbrown/releases/HonorVets.htm
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Jury Convicts Ex-Government Contractor
A former government contractor with a Top Secret security clearance was convicted of federal conspiracy,
wire fraud and identity-theft charges in connection with an extensive identity-theft ring based in
the Raleigh, N.C. Xavier Vidal Jennette, 33, of the Washington, D. C., area, worked as the Facilities
Security Officer (FSO) for a government military contractor in Alexandria, Va. As the FSO with a Top
Secret security clearance, Jennette had access to the personal identification information of the contractor’s
more than 120 employees—including their Social Security numbers and information about their security
clearances. In 2004, Jennette left the company and stole the personal information, bringing it to North
Carolina. With three co-conspirators, who already have pleaded guilty, Jennette used the stolen information
in a broad identity-theft scheme. The defendants opened credit accounts with cell phone companies and
various “big box” retailers and then used the fake charge cards to buy televisions and
video games, among other things. Sentencing has been scheduled for February. Authorities were tipped
off about the scam when one of the victims noticed a mistake on a financial account and reported it
to police, authorities said. To see more, go to: www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce/press/2006-Nov-06.html
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