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New ruling promises fix for ‘Blue Water’ Veterans
Last week, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., announced plans to back a ruling that promises a permanent fix for ‘Blue Water’ Vietnam veterans who claim that their rare illnesses are caused by exposure to chemical defoliants while in service. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com “[The] “blue water” veterans problem centers on…
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New veterans community care rules scheduled for June
New community care standards granting veterans access to private-sector health care will be in place this June, regardless of ongoing concerns. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, the new veterans community care rules, also known as Veterans “choice” , is happening in 10 weeks, unless Congress can find a way to stop it. Veterans eligible for…
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VA to Announce Decision on New Agent Orange Presumptive Illnesses
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,…
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Report finds post-9/11 vets have far higher disability ratings than prior generations
According to an annual survey of veterans’ employment and status by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, post-9/11 active-duty veterans have significantly higher disability rates than those of prior generations. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, the Current Population Survey of 60,000 households in 2018, states that “41 percent of Gulf War-era II…
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Burn Pit Registry strengthened by new bill
This month, the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act was passed which will allow family members of deceased veterans to enter cause of death in the registry. This will aid the registry in becoming a useful tool for researching the health effects of toxic exposure on veterans. According to an article published by Stripes.com, “burn pits…
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Veterans groups appeal for Blue Water Navy veterans benefits
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…
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VA launches investigation of bots using fake news to target veterans
This month the US Department of Veterans Affairs launched an investigation into “anonymous internet actors” impersonating veterans service organizations in an effort to scam veterans. According to an article published by Stars and Stripes, “Vietnam Veterans of America has investigated the issue since 2017, when the organization discovered a Facebook page using its name and…
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New “HAVEN” act promises to protect bankrupt veterans
The Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need (HAVEN) Act seeks to shield disabled veterans’ benefits from debt collectors and provide them with bankruptcy immunity. According to an article published by the Military Times, “when a disabled vet declares bankruptcy currently, the law allows debtors to count a veteran’s disability benefits as disposable income, allowing them…
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Push for “Blue Water Navy” veterans benefits continues
Last week, House and Senate leaders began another push for a “Blue Water Navy” bill on Agent Orange veterans benefits. This was following a previously failed attempt last year due to opposition from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to an article published by Military.com, “Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee were joined by Rep. Mark…
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Veterans exposed to ‘burn pits’ continue to fight for medical care
U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan believe that exposure to trash fires known as ‘burn pits’ has caused them to sustain long-term breathing problems and chronic illnesses. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains that exposure to ‘burn pits’ has not been definitively linked to any long-term health effects. The VA are therefore continuing to…
