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Fight Continues for Veterans with Toxic Exposure During Service in Thailand
Lawmakers and the VA Chairman are recommitting themselves to providing support to veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War-era by providing them the ability to prove toxic exposure and therefore be eligible for benefits. According to an article published by The Veterans’ Affairs committee, “The VA currently awards service-connected benefits for exposure to…
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Lawmakers and Advocacy Groups Push to Add High Blood Pressure to List of Presumptive Agent Orange Illnesses
This year, lawmakers and advocacy are pushing for high blood pressure to officially be added to the list of Agent Orange presumptive illnesses – a move that could potentially provide disability benefits to more than 160,000 Veterans. According to an article published by Military Times, “In an interview with Military Times this week, Senate Veterans’…
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VA Secretary Vowed to Urgently Review New Toxic Exposure Benefit Rules
This week, VA Secretary Denis McDonough vowed to crucially review the new rules for presumptive benefits for Vietnam Veterans with toxic exposure. However, he failed to give a specific timeline for when these rules will be implemented. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “In January, officials from President Donald Trump’s VA leadership team said…
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Wolf and Brown Secures Service-Connection for Vietnam-Era Veteran
Matthew J. Brown, Esquire, the accredited VA attorney for the Veterans Department at Wolf & Brown, successfully secured a favorable decision and settlement for a Vietnam-era veteran, who has been denied service-connection since 1968. The crux of the veteran’s appeal was whether he was “boots on the ground,” serving in the Republic of Vietnam, during…
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Proposed New Agent Orange Conditions Presented to Congress
After years of trying, a means to expedite benefits to thousands of Vietnam War veterans was presented to Congress via this year’s annual defense budget review. If approved, benefits would be granted to Vietnam War veterans suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms thought to be caused by chemical herbicide Agent Orange. According to an…
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Report Shows Vietnam-era Veterans on Guam Exposed to Agent Orange
A recent report by the National Veterans Legal Services Program and the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School stated that veterans who served on Guam between 1962 and 1975 are now eligible to make a valid claim for service-related toxic exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. According to an article published by Stars and Stripes,…
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Further Delays on Agent Orange Decision
Advocates are putting pressure on lawmakers to make a final decision on whether or not to add new illnesses to the list of diseases presumed to be linked to Agent Orange exposure. Last week, veterans groups wrote to the president in protest of a decision to delay the addition of Agent Orange illnesses until two VA…
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VA Disputes Findings on Proposed Agent Orange Diseases
Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have argued a scientific panel’s findings and are now under pressure from lawmakers to decide whether or not to add four diseases to the list of Agent Orange-related conditions. The decision is not expected until later this year. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, the VA “will wait for…
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Updated List Released Identifies Agent Orange Sites Outside Vietnam
An updated list of locations outside of Vietnam where Agent Orange herbicides were used, tested or stored was released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). According to an article published by the VAntage Point, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie was quoted as saying, “This update was necessary to improve accuracy and communication of information. [The]…
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New Funding Bill Demands VA to Reveal Plans for Adding Agent Orange Diseases to List
A federal funding bill that was introduced this month will require Veterans Affairs leaders and lawmakers to reveal plans regarding the addition of new diseases to the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list. According to an article published by the Military Times, “The legislation includes a provision requiring VA to report to Congress within 30 days…
