Vietnam Veterans Eligible for VA Benefits.

Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Now Eligible for VA Benefits Under New Rules

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced that an estimated 500 area veterans of the Vietnam War who were exposed to Agent Orange are now eligible for medical care and disability under new rules approved by Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Kaptur said the VA has now begun the process of awarding benefits to Vietnam veterans who qualify.

“I urge any Vietnam veteran from our area who is suffering from a medical condition due to Agent Orange exposure to contact the VA or my office,” she said. “This includes veterans who have had their claims denied in the past because the new rules dramatically expand the scope of coverage.”

Kaptur urged Vietnam veterans to contact her office at 419-259-7000 or toll free 800-964-4699.

The rules change, which Congresswoman Kaptur announced at a news conference in September, has now taken effect following a 60-day review period.

The new rules could provide coverage and benefits to an estimated 200,000 veterans nationally and more than 500 veterans in the Ninth Congressional District, which includes most of Lucas, all of Erie and Ottawa counties, and western Lorain County.

Under the new rules, up to 200,000 Vietnam veterans nationwide will become eligible for disability compensation for medical conditions recently associated with Agent Orange. The expansion of coverage includes ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and B-cell (or “hairy cell”) leukemia.

The three new illnesses are added to the list of presumed illnesses previously recognized by VA. In practical terms, Kaptur said, a veteran who served in Vietnam during the war and has a “presumed” illness need not prove an association between his or her illness and military service. This “presumption” will simply and accelerate the application process for benefits.

For new claims, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the effective date of the regulation or to one year before the date VA receives the application, whichever is later. For pending claims and claims that were previously denied, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.

Congresswoman Kaptur again encouraged all Vietnam veterans with these three diseases to contact her office or the local veterans service commission for assistance in applying for access to VA health care and compensation so that VA can begin development of their claims.

“The joint efforts of Congress and VA demonstrate a commitment to provide Vietnam veterans with treatment and compensation for the long-term health effects of herbicide exposure,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.