Question:
My deceased husband was drafted in 1954 after having polio with paralysis 2 years earlier. In 1964, the Army administered all 3 live polio virus containing sugar cubes on the same day without a titer done first. He suffered neurological symptoms after that and was also adversely affected by the rigors of boot camp with one leg becoming weaker again. He passed away with one of his diagnosis being "post polio syndrome" on his death certificate. The VA denied aide and attendance and service connection due to "pre existing condition" during a draft? So I kept a 100% care patient at home and did all of his care myself during which I fell getting him into the shower and broke my leg. I have never heard of this reason during a draft and I also feel that they contributed to my broken leg, as I was just recovering from breast cancer surgery, yet was basically forced into taking care of him due to their lack to provide A & A. Thank You
Jim's Reply:
I'm sorry to have to tell you that although you feel you've suffered an indignity and much more, there isn't anything that I se that can be done. If a person is drafted or volunteers and they're accepted to active duty and perform as they are supposed to, they would have been seen as medically fit for service at the time. If he suffered a service connected disability during his life, he should have filed for that and had it rated. The diagnosis of post polio syndrome could mean a very limited disability or a very disabling one. But the time has passed to determine that and I'd guess VA will see this as permanently closed.