Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-2950
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Africa
Air quality
Asia
Bahrain
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Djibouti
Fires
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Iraq
Kuwait
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Solid waste and recycling
United Arab Emirates
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxins, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air.
 
Specifically, the bill identifies the following covered locations and corresponding time periods
 
 
Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location;
 
Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; 
 
Afghanistan and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and
 
other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. 
 
 
Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.

action_date: 2020-09-15
text: 

Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air.
 
Specifically, the bill covers the following covered locations and corresponding time periods
 
 
Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location;
 
Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; 
 
Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and
 
other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. 
 
 
Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxic substance, chemical, or hazard.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate