New VA Health Care and Benefits Provided for Many Vietnam Veterans

Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and
other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify
for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on
August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).  The new rule expands the list of
health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other
herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category
of conditions.

The VA is adding Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart
disease and expanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B
cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia. 

Veterans who served in Vietnam during
the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association
between their medical problems and their military service.  By
helping Veterans overcome evidentiary requirements that might otherwise present
significant challenges, this “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the
application process and ensure that Veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime
during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, are
presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.  

To learn more, visit our WEBSITE.  Also, we have written a FREE
VA Benefits
Handbook, if you would desire a copy please email or call our office
301 663 9230.

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