Agent Orange Legislation Set to Expire

Agent Orange Advocacy http://covvha.net/

© 2014 ‎(COVVHA) Children Of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC
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Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015
Without your help the legislation will expire on September 30th, 2015.
This bill extends for two years the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 is amended to extend for two years the authority of the VA to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, including the association between exposure to a herbicide used in U.S. and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

Through the years, the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have had a significant impact on Vietnam Veterans getting benefits for Agent Orange exposure. The list has grown to fourteen debilitating, often fatal illnesses; including Hodgkin’s Disease, Ischemic Heart disease, Type II diabetes, soft tissue sarcomas, Multiple Myeloma, among others.

IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND:
For new illnesses to be added to the presumptive list, the Institute of Medicine committee must show through their review of data, a correlation between herbicide exposure and the presenting illness. Once causation is shown, the IOM gives the data to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. If the Secretary concludes that a presumption of service connection is warranted, he or she must issue regulations within 60 days of the determination. This process is how illnesses are recognized and veterans are compensated.

If there are no more biennial scientific reviews, there will be no new illnesses added to the presumptive list. If something is not done to extend the legislation it is the proverbial, “end of the line,” for many ill, but still hopeful Vietnam Veterans, their families, and their Veterans Service Officers. This will be demise to over 35 years of work and dedication by activist in the Agent Orange Community. EVERY VIETNAM VETERAN AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS are critical in ensuring the Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015 passes.

Here is the link to let your support for the Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015 be known.

https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/hr3423

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© 2014 ‎(COVVHA) Children Of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC
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(COVVHA) Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC. AO2GEN