A group of veterans, including “Augie” DeAugustinis of Gainesville, diagnosed with a rare and debilitating disease say they’re in a race against time, and they’re speaking out.
11 Alive reports they’re asking the Department of Veterans Affairs to automatically grant disability benefits for Inclusion Body Myositis, or IBM, a rare, progressive muscle disease that can eventually leave patients unable to move or speak.
The TV station has launched an investigation into the issue. DeAugustinis was featured in a report that aired Monday. “We’re running out of time”: Veterans urge VA to recognize rare disease as service-connected | 11alive.com