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### Agent Orange Brief

**Prepared by the Environmental Agents Service (131)**

D11 VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420 August 2005

### AGENT ORANGE AND SPINA BIFIDA

> **What is spina bifida? Why are Vietnam veterans concerned about it?**
>
> Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling
> birth defect. It affects approximately one of every 1,000 newborns in
> the United States. Neural tube defects (NTD) are birth defects that
> involve incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or
> protective coverings for these organs. Spina bifida, the most common
> type of NTD, results from the failure of the bony spine to close
> properly during the first month of pregnancy. (Anencephaly and
> encephalocele are less common types of NTDs). In severe cases of spina
> bifida, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered
> only by skin or a thin membrane. Some Vietnam veterans have children
> born with spina bifida. While Vietnam veterans are now moving out of
> the age category usually associated with having children, it is
> anticipated that some future births will occur and that some of these
> children may have birth defects, including spina bifida. Some research
> efforts have suggested that there may be a relationship between
> exposure by Vietnam veterans to Agent Orange and/or other herbicides
> used in Vietnam and the subsequent development of spina bifida in some
> of their children.
>
> **What can be done for children with spina bifida?**
>
> Surgery to close the infant's back and to protect the spinal cord is
> generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk
> of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.
> Because of the potential paralysis resulting from the damage to the
> spinal cord, people born with spina bifida may need surgeries and
> other extensive medical care. Spina bifida is also associated with
> bowel and bladder complications. Many individuals with spina bifida
> also suffer with hydrocephalus, fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is
> controlled by a surgical procedure, which relieves the fluid build up
> by redirecting it to the abdominal area. Because of medical advances,
> most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood.
>
> **What did the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) conclude about the
> relationship between exposure to herbicides and spina bifida in its
> 1993 report, entitled [Veterans and Agent Orange - Health Effects of
> Herbicides Used in Vietnam]{.underline}**?
>
> While there were several references to spina bifida in this 832-page
> report, the condition was grouped with all other birth defects. The
> NAS reviewers concluded that there is "inadequate or insufficient
> evidence" to determine whether an association exists between exposure
> to herbicides used in Vietnam and birth defects among offspring.
>
> **What did the 1996 NAS update conclude about spina bifida?**
>
> In 1996, the NAS commented that published results of the analysis of
> birth defects among the offspring of the Operation Ranch Hand (the Air
> Force unit responsible for most of the Agent Orange spraying)
> personnel "suggest the possibility of an association between dioxin
> exposure and risk of neural tube defects." The NAS reviewers noted
> that a number of studies of veterans "appear to show an elevated
> relative risk for either service in Vietnam or estimated exposure to
> herbicides or dioxin and neural tube defects (anencephaly and/or spina
> bifida) in their offspring."
>
> NAS further noted that while the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
> Birth Defects Study revealed no association between "overall Vietnam
> veteran status" and the risk of spina bifida or anencephaly, the CDC
> herbicide "exposure opportunity index," based on interview data,
> indicated an increased risk of spina bifida in the children of Vietnam
> veterans who had high index ratings. There was no similar pattern of
> association for anencephaly. The CDC Vietnam Experience Study
> indicated that more Vietnam veterans reported that their children had
> a central nervous system disorder (including spina bifida) than did
> non-Vietnam veterans who participated in the study.
>
> The NAS observed that all three of these epidemiological studies
> (which are of the "highest overall quality") suggest an association
> between herbicide exposure and an increased risk of spina bifida in
> offspring. While the NAS took note of the weaknesses in each of these
> studies, the NAS report concluded that there is "limited/suggestive
> evidence" of an association between exposures to herbicides used in
> Vietnam and spina bifida. On the other hand, the NAS found "inadequate
> or insufficient evidence to determine whether an association exists"
> between exposure to the herbicides and "all other birth defects," that
> is, birth defects other than spina bifida.
>
> **What was VA's response to the NAS finding regarding spina bifida?**
>
> While VA's Secretary Brown could easily add peripheral neuropathy and
> prostate cancer (two other "limited/suggestive evidence" conditions
> cited in the 1996 update) to the list of conditions recognized by VA
> for presumption of service connection for Vietnam veterans based on
> exposure to herbicides, VA lacked the authority to provide benefits to
> non-veterans (including veterans' children) based on the possible
> relationship between those individuals' disabilities and a veteran's
> service.
>
> On May 28, 1996, President Clinton announced that VA would send to
> Congress proposed legislation that would provide an "appropriate
> remedy" for Vietnam veterans' children who suffer from spina bifida.
> On July 25, 1996, Secretary Brown sent to Congress a draft bill that
> would provide for the special needs of these children through the
> provision of comprehensive medical care, vocational training, and
> monetary benefits (monthly allowance). On July 28, 1996, the
> legislation was introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives.
> In September, Congress approved a similar version of the spina bifida
> legislation with an effective date of October 1, 1997, as part of the
> VA FY1997 appropriations bill. It became Public Law 104-204 on
> September 26, 1996, when President Clinton signed it.
>
> In May 1997, proposed rules regarding monetary allowance and
> healthcare for Vietnam veterans' children with spina bifida were
> published in the [Federal Register]{.underline}. (See 62 [Fed.
> Reg.]{.underline} 23724 and 23731, May 1, 1997). In July 1997, the
> proposed rule regarding vocational training and rehabilitation for
> Vietnam veterans children with spina bifida was published in the
> [Federal Register]{.underline}. (See 62 [Fed. Reg.]{.underline} 35454,
> July 1, 1997). The three final rules, effective October 1, 1997, were
> published in the [Federal Register]{.underline} in September 1997.
> (See 62 [Fed. Reg.]{.underline} 51274, 51281, and 51286, September 30,
> 1997).
>
> On May 24, 1996, VA announced a "solicitation for applicant to
> establish a research center for epidemiological, clinical, and basic
> science studies of environmental hazards and their effects on
> reproductive and developmental outcomes." On November 14, 1996, VA
> announced that the Louisville VA Medical Center was selected as the
> site of this center.
>
> **What benefits/services are now available for Vietnam veterans'
> children with spina bifida?**
>
> **Monetary allowance.** Public Law 104-204 provides that the monthly
> monetary allowance for any Vietnam veteran's child with spina bifida
> be based on the degree of disability suffered by the child. The law
> required VA to establish three levels of disability for this
> allowance. Under the final regulations, the stipend or monthly
> monetary allowance now range from \$244 to \$1,440 (rates effective
> December 1, 2002), based on the degree of disability suffered by the
> child. This allowance is subject to annual cost-of-living increases
> and will not be counted as income in any federal means-tested
> programs. Vietnam veterans' children are eligible for the monthly
> allowance throughout their lives, [regardless of their age or marital
> status]{.underline}. VA regulations defined the three levels of
> disability as follows:

-   For Level I, the least severe level of disability, the child is able
    to walk without braces or other external support, has no sensory or
    motor impairment of arms, has an intelligence quotient (I.Q.) of 90
    or higher, and is continent of urine and feces. The monthly
    allowance is \$244;

-   For Level II, the intermediate level, none of the child's
    disabilities are severe enough to be evaluated at Level III, and the
    child can walk, but only with braces or other external support, or
    has sensory or motor impairment of arms, but is able to grasp a pen,
    feed him or herself, and perform self care, or has an I.Q. of at
    least 70 but less than 90, or requires drugs or intermittent
    cauterization or other mechanical means to maintain proper bowel
    function. The monthly allowance is \$844.

-   For Level III, the most severe level, the child is unable to walk or
    has sensory or motor impairment severe enough to prevent grasping a
    pen, feeding self, and performing self care, or has an I.Q. of 69 or
    less, or has complete urinary or fecal incontinence. The monthly
    allowance is \$1,440.

> A child who meets any one of the criteria in a level is rated at that
> level. For example, a child who meets all the criteria for level one,
> but who has total incontinence (Level III criteria) will be rated and
> paid at Level III. About 70 percent receiving benefits under this
> program are at Level III.
>
> **Health Care.** Under the final rule for health care, VA provides
> Vietnam veterans' children who are suffering from spina bifida with
> health care services VA determines are needed for the spina bifida or
> any disability that is associated with spina bifida. This is not
> intended to be a comprehensive insurance plan and does not cover
> health care unrelated to spina bifida. Under this final rule, health
> care may be provided directly by VA, by contract with an approved
> health care provider, or by other arrangements with an approved health
> care provider. VA may inform spina bifida patients, parents, or
> guardians that health care may be available at not-for-profit
> charitable corporations (such as Shriners hospitals) for children
> under age 18. In March 1997, VA and Shriners Hospitals for Children
> (SHC) reached an agreement for SHC to care for Vietnam veterans'
> children with spina bifida at no charge for outpatient or inpatient
> care for children up to the age of 18 with this condition. VA
> reimburses non-SHC facilities providing care to children older than 18
> and whose parents or guardians choose not to receive their care at
> SHC. VA also reimburses non-SHC facilities for necessary medical
> services not offered by SHC and covers transportation costs for
> patients and their parent or legal guardian to an SHC unit or any
> outside facility required for treatment of the patient. SHC currently
> treats about 5,000 children with spina bifida, the largest number of
> such patients treated by any hospital system in the world.
>
> **Vocational Training and Rehabilitation.** VA provides an evaluation
> to a Vietnam veteran's child who VA has determined suffers from spina
> bifida. If this evaluation establishes that it is feasible for the
> child to achieve a vocational goal, VA will provide the child with the
> vocational training, employment assistance, and other related
> rehabilitation services that VA finds the child needs to enable the
> child to achieve a vocational goal, including employment. Vocational
> training program for a child with spina bifida must consist of such
> vocationally oriented services and assistance, including such
> placement and post-placement services and personal and work adjustment
> training, as VA determines are necessary to enable the child to
> prepare for and participate in vocational training and employment.
> Training may include a program of education at an institution of
> higher education if VA determines that the program of education is
> predominately vocational in content.
>
> **What did the NAS conclude about spina bifida in subsequent
> updates?**
>
> The 1998 report concludes that new occupational studies (Canadian
> farmers/Norwegian farmers and a case control study of parental
> occupation and spina bifida incidence in the Netherlands) all indicate
> a higher incidence of this condition among the children of males
> exposed to herbicides/pesticides. This update stated that "There are
> no changes from Update 1996. In Update 1996, there was
> limited/suggestive evidence of an association between exposure to the
> herbicides considered in this report and spina bifida." In 2000, the
> NAS concluded that the "available scientific literature provides
> limited/suggestive evidence of an association between exposure to
> ....herbicides (considered in this report) and spina bifida in
> offspring." In 2002 and 2004, the NAS reported that there were "no new
> relevant studies" on the association between exposure to herbicide and
> spina bifida and that the evidence is still "limited or suggestive" of
> an association.
>
> **Where and how does someone get these benefits and services?**
>
> Approval of monetary support, health care, and vocational training is
> based on eligibility determinations made at VA regional benefit
> offices. Prospective beneficiaries must first complete an application
> for benefits. They should contact the nearest VA regional office
> toll-free at **1-800-827-1000**.
>
> **Are there benefits available for children of Vietnam veterans with
> birth defects other than spina bifida?**
>
> There are benefits and services similar to those described above
> available for the certain disabled children of [women]{.underline}
> Vietnam veterans. For information about these benefits and services,
> see **Agent Orange Brief, D1**, or contact the nearest VA regional
> office at **1-800-827-1000**.
>
> **Where can a veteran get additional information about spina bifida?**
>
> Some information regarding spina bifida and related matters can be
> obtained at VA medical center libraries, in other medical libraries,
> from the Environmental Health Clinician at every VA medical center, or
> from the Environmental Agents Service (131), Department of Veterans
> Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420.
> Non-government organizations, such as the Spina Bifida Association of
> America (SBAA), Easter Seal Society, and the March of Dimes, also have
> a great deal of information. The SBAA is located at 4590 MacArthur
> Blvd., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20007-4226. The toll-free telephone
> number for SBAA is (800) 621-3141. The e-mail address is
> <sbaa@sbaaa.org>. The website is [www.sbaa.org/]{.underline}.
>
> Where can a veteran get additional information about Agent Orange --
> related issues?
>
> The following Agent Orange fact sheets (including the one you are
> reading) are available on the World Wide Web at
> [www.va.gov/AgentOrange](http://www.va.gov/AgentOrange): **A1**.Agent
> Orange - General Information; **A2**.Agent Orange Class Action
> Lawsuit; **B1**.Agent Orange Registry Program; **B2**.Agent Orange --
> Health Care Eligibility; **B3**.Agent Orange and VA Disability
> Compensation; **B4**.VA Information Resources on Agent Orange and
> Related Matters; **C1**.Agent Orange -- The Problem Encountered in
> Research; **C2**.Agent Orange and Vietnam Related Research -- VA
> Projects; **C3**.Agent Orange and Vietnam Related Research -- Non-VA
> Projects; **D1**.Agent Orange and Birth Defects; **D2**.Agent Orange
> and Chloracne; **D3**.Agent Orange and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma;
> **D4**.Agent Orange and Soft Tissue Sarcomas; **D5**.Agent Orange and
> Peripheral Neuropathy; **D6**.Agent Orange and Hodgkin's Disease;
> **D7**.Agent Orange and Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; **D8**.Agent Orange
> and Multiple Myeloma; **D9**.Agent Orange and Respiratory Cancers;
> **D10**.Agent Orange and Prostate Cancer; **D11**.Agent Orange and
> Spina Bifida; **D12.**Agent Orange and Diabetes; and **D13**.Agent
> Orange and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Hard copies can be obtained
> from local VA medical centers or from the VA Central Office at the
> Environmental Agents Service (131) Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
> Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420. At the same Web site you
> will find copies of past and current issues of the "Agent Orange
> Review" newsletter and other items of interest.
>
> This fact sheet was updated in August 2005 and does not include
> subsequent developments.