In case it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere on this forum. Earlier this month, the US House passed HR 3967. Which deals with a number of issues relating to veterans exposed to toxic substances. The "burn pit" moniker comes from the practice of the military burning toxic chemicals in the open in Afganistand and Iraq, which has poisoned some servicemen.
Also of interest for Vietnam veterans. Section 404 of this act adds hypertension (high blood pressure) to the list of presumptive illnesses caused by exposure to Agent Orange. This has been an issue for many years, with the Dept. of Veteran Affairs trying to wait us out until we are all dead. HR 3967 has now moved on over to the US Senate, and we don't know what will happen with it there. There is Senate companion legislation on both the burn pit and Agent Orange add-on issues. If there is enough traction in the Senate, there will reconcilation of the multiple bills and we may see a favorable result. If you are already a compensible Vietnam veteran, and if you have hypertension, you could be up for a bump in your compensation. If you are not already a compensible Vietnam veteran, this could entitle you to become one. From what I've read on the subject, diseases on the Agent Orange list that are long-time developing don't have a time limit for filing a claim (Nehmer decision).
Also of interest for Vietnam veterans. Section 404 of this act adds hypertension (high blood pressure) to the list of presumptive illnesses caused by exposure to Agent Orange. This has been an issue for many years, with the Dept. of Veteran Affairs trying to wait us out until we are all dead. HR 3967 has now moved on over to the US Senate, and we don't know what will happen with it there. There is Senate companion legislation on both the burn pit and Agent Orange add-on issues. If there is enough traction in the Senate, there will reconcilation of the multiple bills and we may see a favorable result. If you are already a compensible Vietnam veteran, and if you have hypertension, you could be up for a bump in your compensation. If you are not already a compensible Vietnam veteran, this could entitle you to become one. From what I've read on the subject, diseases on the Agent Orange list that are long-time developing don't have a time limit for filing a claim (Nehmer decision).
