Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

Bill: 116-hr-566
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced: 2019-01-15
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia

Conflicts and wars

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Military personnel and dependents

Neurological disorders

Veterans' medical care

Vietnam
Latest action: action_date: 2019-02-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-15
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Orange) during military service in Vietnam. Specifically, the bill removes the manifestation period required for the presumption of service-connection for chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda. </p> <p>Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for a presumption of service-connection for certain cases of acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy without a manifestation period. </p> <p>Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 566 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 15, 2019 Mr. Courtney (for himself, Mr. Young , and Mr. Larson of Connecticut ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to remove the manifestation period required for the presumptions of service connection for chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act . 2. Removal of manifestation period required for presumptions of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents Section 1116(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking within one and all that follows through 1975 ; (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking within a and all that follows through 1975 ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (I) Acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more. .