MILITARY FILES Pension Claim of William German, Vandalia, Illinois
He filed an application for pension at the bureau April 3, 1901 alleging that in September, 1898, at Jacksonville, Fla., he contracted disease of bowels and loss of sight of right eye, due to typhoid fever and exposure in the service. His claim was rejected after special examination September 1, 1903, upon legal grounds that there was no record of disease of bowels and right eye, and that claimant was unable to furnish satisfactory evidence of their incurrence in the line of duty and continuance thereafter. A medical examination was had by the board at Vandalia June 5, 1901, who reported that there was extreme tenderness and tympanitis over stomach and bowels, liver engorged and tender spleen tender, skin sallow, with emaciation; also that there was darkness and congestion of the retinal field of the right eye. Recommendations of $6 per month on account of typhoid fever and resulting disease of bowels, and $12 per month for loss of sight of right eye, were made. The official records state that no report of defects was found on examination at enlistment, and the medical records show the soldier treated August 25 to September 3, 1898, for typhoid and malarial fever; also from October 14 to November 6, 1898, intermittent malarial fever in the line of duty. The company rolls show him further sick in quarters September 16 to 25, 1898, and October 8 to 9, 1898. Soldier is recorded as having declared at muster out that his eyes became weak at Camp Columbus, Cuba; his captain certified that soldier had been sick in line of duty October and November. The surgeon apparently stated that he had no knowledge. There is no question that the soldier was seriously ill, as claimed, in camp at Jacksonville, as fully shown by the record and the testimony of his comrades and company officers. He contends that he never made a good recovery; it also appears that his eyes were ailing, as Doctor Hilgard, late lieutenant and assistant surgeon, stated that he gave the soldier lotions for his eyes in Cuba in the spring of 1899. There is no indication in the testimony that the eye trouble resulted from an injury or otherwise as claimed. There is medical testimony that soldier has been under treatment since discharge for stomach and bowel trouble, and several lay affidavits to the general effect that his health has been much impaired since his service in the Tropics. Two affidavits accompany the bill, one by Dr. J. H. Wallace, who states that the bowel trouble has almost entirely prevented soldier from earning living by working, and that during the last two months he has been under treatment for hepatitis, involving the general viscera, and for an affection of the right eye. Other evidence shows that the soldier has no property of any value, but is obliged to obtain a livelihood for himself and four small children by day labor. After considering all the facts in the case, your committee believe this one properly pensionable at the rate of$15 per month, the rate carried in the bill, and they respectfully recommend such allowance. |
