Recently lawmakers unanimously approved a bill that would extend benefits to Vietnam War sailors who have fought for years to prove they were exposed to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange. The House voted 410-0 to advance the bill to the Senate, following a vote last year of 382-0. According to an article published by Stars…
Lawmakers have once again passed a bill that would ease disability benefit rules for veterans who served on ships off the coasts of Vietnam and suffered serious illnesses. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “The legislation — the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act — passed 410-0 with strong messages of support from both Democratic and…
Last week, lawmakers moved to expedite extending disability benefits to “blue water” Vietnam veterans and servicemembers who served in the Korean demilitarized zone in the late 1960s. According to an article published by Military.com, “a bill proposed by the House Veterans Affairs Committee would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide disability compensation for veterans who…
Lats week, a Congressional committee approved a variety of legislation for veterans that included bills to extend benefits to “Blue Water” Navy veterans and create a fourth administration within the Department of Veteran Affairs. According to an article published by ConnectingVetsRadio.com, the committee Chairman Mark Takano “launched the meeting by highlighting the first bill on…
A new legislation that was introduced would add nine more diseases to a list of illnesses assumed to be caused by Agent Orange, giving veterans who suffer from these conditions a fast-track to disability benefits and health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to an article published by Stripes.com, the Keeping Our Promises…
This week the Supreme Court granted a 30-day extension to Department of Justice officials regarding the appeal of a January court ruling which extended presumptive benefits to tens of thousands of Navy veterans. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “advocates say they are not concerned by the move, calling it a typical legal maneuver and…
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that they will not appeal a January court ruling that will likely pave the way for “Blue Water Navy” veterans to receive Agent Orange benefits. According to an article published by Military.com, “VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that he will recommend the Justice Department not fight the decision, handing…
According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, during a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing this week, Dr. Richard Stone (executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration) announced that a decision regarding presumptive illnesses linked to Agent Orange would likely come in the next 3 months. This announcement would mean that conditions such as bladder cancer, hypothyroidism,…
According to an article published by Stripes.com, ten national veterans organizations pleaded with the President last week, asking him to direct the Justice Department not to appeal a recent federal court decision that could extend Agent Orange benefits to thousands of Vietnam War veterans. The article continued by saying, “The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit…
According to an article published by Channel 8 News, “just days after the VA awarded Navy veteran Lonnie Kilpatrick disability benefits for his exposure to toxic herbicides, Lonnie passed away. Over the course of a decade, the VA refused to approve his benefits, claiming that because he was stationed on Guam and not in Vietnam,…
