The National tribune., 1902-01-30
FOUR REYERSALS.
Evans's fragrant Injustice to
Poor Veterans Corrected by
the Secretary of the Interior.

In the claim OF William Watson Cdc-
ceased for invalid pension under the act
of June q, 1890, the claimant was re-
jected on the ground that his disablement
did not entitle him to a higher rating than
that $50 he was receiving under the gen
eral law. An appeal was taken to the
Secretary of the Interior. contending that
the claimant was wholly disabled for
earning support by manual labor, and
was, therefore, entitled to the maximum
rate ($12J under the act of 1890. Pending
decision on the appeal the claimant died.
The decision asst Secretary Campbell,
Oct. 81. 190D says:
Soldier was examined by q Board OF
Surgeons in June, 1888. He was , feet
"a inches in hight, weighed l3U pounds;
was 40 years of age. Had vision of but
l2-lOO in either eye, aided by glasses. His
skin was sallow, his muscles soft and
atrOphied. His palms were soft and his
body poorly nourished and debihtated.
His clavicles were prominent and the
ciavicular spaces sunken. His figure was
much stopped. Chest expansion 30. 81.
He had erysipelas, indicated by dark dis
colOratiOnS on face and numerous sears
over same. Disease of the heart existed,
impulse not being visible. murmur, action
very irregular and Intermittent. \ direct
incomplete inSuinal hernia was found; tu-
NOR two inches in diameter
Rheumatism WAS evidenced by crepitus
in the shoulders. hips and knees. The
knees were Stiffencd and enlarged. The
soldier was unable to raise his arms
above his shoulders save with great diff
hculty. He had a general brolen-down
condition of the nervous system, and gen.
eral debility, with no signs of vicious
habits.
1T is difficult TO understand what labor
an old man in this condition could per-
form. 1t is the opinion of the Depart
ment that your denial of the maximum
rate was error, and said action is, there
fore, reversed, and the papers returned
for Republication i'll accordance with the
contentious of the appeal and the con-
cluSionS herein"
In the claim of Samuel S. McMachan
deceased for invalid pension under the
act of June 81, 1890, the claimant was re
jected three times on the ground of no
pcnsionahle disablemcnt Quoting from
the decision asst Secretary Campbell.
Oct. 30, 19OD, the further facts, and the
official findings on appeal, appear as fol-
lows:
His next application was filed Dec. %,
1896, alleging lumbagO, rheumatism and
bronchitis. This application was rejected
Sept. 2:a, 1897; this time his application
was rejected OH the grounds of no ratable
disability from lumbago. rheumatism and
disease Of respiratory organs; syphilis
cannot be eliminated.
"Dct. 80, 1897, the medical acton was
amended 50 as to read rejected, no rata
bic disability under act of June 81. 1890.
Syphilis cannot be eliminated
His last declaration was filed July 81.
lS.iS. and alleged rheumatism, bronchitis.
affection of left arm. poor eyesight and
general debility, and he asked the benefit
of the act of March 6. 1896.
This was also rejected March 20, 1899,
upon the ground Of no ratable disability
under act Of June 81. 1890; syphilis can
not he eliminated
The claimant appealed Aug. -. 1899
and died May 8. 1900. leaving widow
and one child, the latter lacking two
months and seven days of being 1G years
of age
The army medical records show treat
ment for secondary syI hills in 1868. .
THE examination made Feb 10, 1897
disclOses an enlargement OF the muscles
and tcGdons of left elbow with marked
stiffness of muscles of forearm with pain
in movement of elbow joint and irregular
L 4
rated for both 1913.
'.In June, 1897. he was again examined
and found to he very badly afflicted. de
"idcd atrorhy of lumbar muscles, motion
impaired and limited in both shoulder
joints, left elbow and wrist much in
famed. almost no motion in left elbow
joint, circumference of left arm at elbow
three inches greater than same of right
arm. 'SonOrOus with sibilant rales with
mucous rales over whole upper part of
chest, also find atrophic rhinitis and
pharEnc'tis: vocal organs inflamed'
I'm Sertemher of the same year his left
arm had been operated upon and the bone
removed for few inches above and be-
low elbow joint. the disease having de-
veloncd into carries Of the bone. His arm
healed, but it was left useless and he
was rated for this as for the loss of a
hand or foot $36
I'm all these examinations the several
boards certify to no vicious habits. and
in two examinations the boards were di-
rprted to make q careful examination to
discover whether there were any indiG-
TORS of syphilis, and they both report
the absence of any syphilitic evidence or
taint.
''The disease of the elbow is ascribed
to an injury, and all the evidence lay and
medical, corroborates this origin.
Since the appeal and since the soldiers
death, special examination has been
held with the view of determining wheth-
cr any of his disabilities could be t',occd
to a syphilitic origin. Several physicians
were examined and questioned uDon this
point, and all declare that although they
had treated the claimant at different
times, they could never discover the least
taint from syphilis. He has reared many
and at date of his death had
several grandchildren, and the evidence
GiscloSes that no trace of hereditary syph-
Ills could be found in any OF them.
THE certificate of the Medical Boards
who were called upon to examine scru-
tinOusly for traces of syphilis. report to-
tai absence of any and all such sequelae,
and it is impossible to find from any of
the evidence that his disabilities are. any
of them, due to that disease. His habits
are abundantly shown to he. and to have
been, good since he was discharged. He
died of angina pectoris.
THE evidence clearly shows him dis
nhled in q degree which wnrrantS q ratinr