Edward Robinson
S. 81. Edward Robinson, of Price, Utah, was a private in Company
L, Fourteenth United States Infantry. He enlisted June 6, 1898, and was
discharged August 16, 1899, by reason of the close of the war with
Spain.
He filed his first application for
pension April 30, 1904, alleging that at Bacoor, in the Philippine
Islands in July , 1898, he contracted malarial fever, dysentery, and
Manila itch. The claim was legally rejected in February, 1905, on the
ground of no satisfactory evidence showing continuance of malarial fever
and dysentery from date of Discharge and on the ground of no record or
other evidence showing service origin and continuance of Manila itch.
The claim was also medically rejected on the ground that a ratable
degree of disability was not shown from causes alleged from date of
filing application.
Soldier filed a second
application September 25, 1906, alleging that in February, 1899, he
contracted mumps, affecting testicles, causing varicocele, and that in
July, 1899, he contracted a cold and resulting catarrh of respiratory
organs and partial deafness of left ear. The second claim has never been
adjudicated, no evidence of consequence having been filed in support of
same.
The medical records on file in the War
Department show that claimant was treated while in service July 4 to
August 5, 1899, enteric fever; August 6 and 7, 1899, acute dysentery;
August 9 to 13, 1899, acute diarrhea. On his examination preliminary to
discharge claimant declared to the discharging offers that he was
suffering from no disability or impairment of health, whether incurred
in the military service or otherwise. His commanding officer certified
that claimant had no disability to his knowledge and the Army surgeon
reported that he found none after physical examination. It is observed
that the certificate of examination preliminary to discharge was signed
and dated anterior to the sickness and treatment of record in July and
August, 1899.
Filed n the claim in August,
1904, was the testimony of three neighbors to the effect that claimant
was totally disabled when he returned from the service, suffering fro
dysentery, chills and fever, and dyspepsia and was confined to his bed
for several months afterwards and was under treatment of physicians;
that during the years following to 1904, claimant was unable to perform
manual labor and his appearance was that of an unhealthy man.
Dr. Lutellus Burdick testified July 20, 1904, that he treated soldier in October and November, 1899, for chronic
diarrhea, dyspepsia, and malaria; that soldier was then totally disabled and confined to his bed; that he attended
soldier again in 1900 for indigestion; that he was not able to do manual labor.
Dr. Charles Jensen testified July 16, 1904, that he
was called to treat soldier in March, 1900, for enterocolitis with
accompanying emaciation, loss of appetite, and diarrhea; that he treated
soldier during the following three or four months; that soldier was
totally disabled and confined to his bed.
Claimant, who is about 40 years of age, was first
examined June 8, 1904, by a Pension Bureau surgeon, who reported that he
was unable to find a trace of malaria except slight enlargement of
liver; that the heart and lungs were normal; stomach and digestion good;
that soldier had no itch in any form; that he had a very marked
varicocele at 6/12. Soldier was again examined November 21, 2906, by a
full board of surgeons, who reported that the only disability found was
left varicocele, for which they recommended a rating of $6.
In soldiers second claim he filed the affidavit of
two neighbors, who stated February 13, 1907, that soldier returned from
the Army quite sick, being troubled with rheumatism, deafness at times,
also bloating spells and by diabetes; also cararrh of respiratory organs
and varicocele.
Accompanying the bill is the affidavit of Dr. F. F. Fisk, who
states December 16, 1914, that he attended soldier about December 1,
1913, for an acute exacerbation of a chronic appendicitis; that his
condition required an operation which was performed December 24, 1913;
that an abscess having formed it was necessary to drain for a
considerable time which predisposed to a hernia which soldier now has
and which incapacitates him from work.
Also
affidavit of two neighbors to the effect that soldier is financially
unable to care for himself or for his family.
This committee report the bill favorably and recommend that the increase be granted at $17 per month.
