Your comments are helping me process my case for submitting additional evidence supporting my case. I now wonder if I should include research studies supporting connections between submarine atmospheres and toxicity!
Here are my thoughts:
Evidence of submarine environments is lacking. But I found one or two studies indicating that sub environments are generally not detrimental. However, the studies tested a few of the possible exposures.
If I need to appeal, I will argue that many neurotoxic chemicals are neither monitored or cleaned by a boat's scrubbers or filters. An older Navy report on submarine atmospheres identified 125 potential toxic items, of which only 12 were studied. LINK, page 127. Also, there is evidence that diesel particulate matter may be neurotoxic. LINK. I will also argue that there is no evidence supporting or refuting relationships between toxic submarine items and their effects on neurocognitive functioning.
I can not provide specific exposures as many toxic elements are not monitored. But, the VA received the following letter outlining my case.