Posted on Apr 20, 2016
Being stationed in the UK in the 80s did anyone claim mad cow disease with the VA and now unable to donate blood?
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
TSgt Mark Carrico You are unable to donate blood because the blood banks are erring on the side of caution. Now if you have Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), then you have a valid claim with the VA.
Does Mad Cow Disease Affect Humans?
A human version of mad cow disease called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is believed to be caused by eating beef products contaminated with central nervous system tissue, such as brain and spinal cord, from cattle infected with mad cow disease. For this reason, the USDA requires that all brain and spinal cord materials be removed from high-risk cattle -- older cattle, animals that are unable to walk, and any animal that shows any signs of a neurological problem. These cow products do not enter the U.S. food supply. The USDA believes this practice effectively safeguards U.S. public health from vCJD.
According to the CDC, four deaths from vCJD have been identified in the U.S. However, it's believed those cases were caused by consumption of meat outside the U.S.
It is important to clarify the differences between variant CJD and another form of the disease, referred to as classic or sporadic CJD. Classic CJD has no known cause and occurs each year at a rate of one to two cases per 1 million people throughout the world, including in the U.S. and countries where mad cow disease has never occurred. It is not linked to eating nerve tissue from mad cow disease-affected cattle -- both vegetarians and meat eaters have died from classic CJD. CJD most commonly affects people over 65 and is usually fatal within six months from onset of symptoms.
Does Mad Cow Disease Affect Humans?
A human version of mad cow disease called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is believed to be caused by eating beef products contaminated with central nervous system tissue, such as brain and spinal cord, from cattle infected with mad cow disease. For this reason, the USDA requires that all brain and spinal cord materials be removed from high-risk cattle -- older cattle, animals that are unable to walk, and any animal that shows any signs of a neurological problem. These cow products do not enter the U.S. food supply. The USDA believes this practice effectively safeguards U.S. public health from vCJD.
According to the CDC, four deaths from vCJD have been identified in the U.S. However, it's believed those cases were caused by consumption of meat outside the U.S.
It is important to clarify the differences between variant CJD and another form of the disease, referred to as classic or sporadic CJD. Classic CJD has no known cause and occurs each year at a rate of one to two cases per 1 million people throughout the world, including in the U.S. and countries where mad cow disease has never occurred. It is not linked to eating nerve tissue from mad cow disease-affected cattle -- both vegetarians and meat eaters have died from classic CJD. CJD most commonly affects people over 65 and is usually fatal within six months from onset of symptoms.
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PFC Maurice Thomas
Whom may I contact in the VA about this ? I've been showing the 3 major signs . 1. I had a multiple aneurysm back in September of 2010 ( they had to place 5 clips in the front right part of my brain) . 2. I've been having major issues with my joints and tendons in both knees and shoulders .( ACL & MCL in those joints are stretched & torn and the damage is to the extent that 2 VA orthopedic surgeons said there is no repairing them) 3. I can't get any sleep until totally exhausted , unless I take a 50 mg Amitriptyline (which I hate because I feel like crap the entire day after taking them ) The worst thing is that the FDA has no way of testing for it until an autopsy is performed . I called the CDC in Atlanta this morning and spoke with 2 specialists and am currently awaiting for a 3rd to contact me . So Sgt Hallock if you know of anyone in the VA I can contact to discuss this with , please Email me . My Email is [login to see] . This way I'll be sure to get it as soon as it's sent . At times I'm unable to stay concentrated on something - or get confused easily then I get frustrated and stop looking . Thank in advance for any assistance in this matter . I hope you have a good day .
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Sgt (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see) - Curt, I do not have a contact number at the VA. Please send me your email, and I will forward what I sent to Maurice.
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Just asking, but how does "not being able to donate blood" make a person disabled?
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SPC Matthew Eccles
One could say that about other reason why people are unable to donate, but unless it documented that the person has mad cow virus in their blood, then it would be hard to prove a disability.
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You don't have to claim mad cow disease. Just having been in Europe in the 80s is an automatic DQ. It comes up in the sceening process
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