William Collins Jet Fuel Exposure Recognition Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of toxic exposure for certain veterans who, while serving in the Armed Forces, were consistently exposed to jet fuel, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the William Collins Jet Fuel Exposure Recognition Act 2. Presumptions of toxic exposure (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 11 1119. Presumptions of toxic exposure (a) In general The Secretary shall, for purposes of section 1110 and chapter 17 of this title, presume that any covered veteran was exposed to toxic substances, chemicals, and airborne hazards during the service of the covered veteran, unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the covered veteran was not exposed to any such substances, chemicals, or hazards in connection with such service. (b) Adjudication of claims If a covered veteran submits to the Secretary a claim for compensation for a service-connected disability related to jet fuel exposure under section 1110 of this title with evidence of a disability and a presumption of toxic exposure under subsection (a) that occurred during active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary shall, in adjudicating such claim— (1) provide a medical examination and request a medical opinion for service connection; and (2) direct a medical provider providing such a medical examination to consider— (A) the exposure of the veteran to toxic substances during all military deployments; and (B) the synergistic effect of all combined toxic substances through inhalation, dermal exposure, and ingestion. (c) Covered veteran The term covered veteran . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1118 the following new item: 1119. Presumptions of toxic exposure. . (c) Biennial report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter during the subsequent eight-year period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, and make publicly available, a report that includes— (A) a discussion of the effect of various different types of jet fuels used by the Armed Forces on the health of individuals by length of exposure; (B) an identification of the immediate symptoms of jet fuel exposure that may indicate future health risks; (C) a chronology of health safeguards implemented by the Armed Forces intended to reduce the exposure of members of the Armed Foces to jet fuel; and (D) an identification of any areas relating to jet fuel exposure about which new research needs to be done. (2) Use of findings In evaluating claims for compensation for service-connected disabilities submitted by veterans who were exposed to jet fuel, the Secretary shall take into consideration the findings of the reports under this subsection.

Summary: William Collins Jet Fuel Exposure Recognition Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for purposes of wartime disability compensation and VA health care, to presume that covered veterans were exposed to toxic substances, chemicals, and airborne hazards during military service, unless there is affirmative evidence that the veterans were not exposed to such substances in connection with their service. Under the bill, covered veterans are those who worked for a cumulative period of at least two years in active service in a military occupational specialty that involved consistent exposure to jet fuel. In adjudicating claims for compensation for a service-connected disability related to jet fuel exposure with evidence of a disability and a presumption of toxic exposure during active service, the VA must (1) provide a medical examination and request a medical opinion for service-connection; and (2) direct the medical provider to consider the exposure of the veteran to toxic substances during all military deployments and the synergistic effect of all combined toxic substances through inhalation, dermal exposure, and ingestion. Every other year for a period of eight years, the VA must make publicly available a report related to the effect of jet fuel used by the Armed Forces on the health of individuals. In evaluating claims for compensation for service-connected disabilities, the VA must take into consideration the findings of such reports.