A bill to modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-657
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-03-10
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia

Conflicts and wars

Disability assistance

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Thailand

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-10
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that, if it creates a presumption of service-connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to an herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976, at a military base in Thailand, such presumption must also apply to exposure at any military base in Thailand, regardless of where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 657 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Mr. Boozman (for himself, Mr. Tester , Mr. Wyden , Mrs. Gillibrand , Ms. Warren , Mr. Portman , Ms. Hassan , and Mr. Braun ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

1. Modification of presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that if the Secretary creates a presumption of service connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the covered period at a military base in Thailand, such presumption also applies to exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the covered period at any military base located in Thailand without regard to where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered period The term covered period means the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on June 30, 1976. (2) Herbicide agent The term herbicide agent has the meaning given such term in section 1116(a) of title 38, United States Code. (3) Veteran The term veteran has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.