Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act

Bill: 117-hr-2569
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Introduced: 2021-04-15
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia

Cambodia

Cancer

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Conflicts and wars

Digestive and metabolic diseases

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Laos

Military education and training

Military facilities and property

Musculoskeletal and skin diseases

Neurological disorders

Thailand

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation

Vietnam
Latest action: action_date: 2021-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-15
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act</strong></p> <p>This bill expands the presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions 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> <p>Specifically, the bill expands the presumption to cover veterans who served </p> <ul> <li>in Thailand at a U.S. Army base or Royal Thai Air Force base between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975;</li> <li>at the Royal Thai Army Replacement Training Center, Pranburi Military Reservation between January 1, 1964, and April 30, 1964;</li> <li>in Laos between December 1, 1965, and September 30, 1969; or</li> <li>in Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kompon Cham Province between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2569 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 15, 2021 Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Morelle , Mr. O'Halleran , Ms. Norton , Ms. Titus , Mr. Sires , Mrs. Hayes , Ms. Tlaib , Mr. Pascrell , Mr. Lawson of Florida , Mr. Carson , and Mr. Kilmer ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for veterans who served in close proximity to the Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act . 2. Presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for veterans who served in close proximity to the Republic of Vietnam (a) In general Section 1116 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking , during active military, naval, or air service, served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 each place it appears and inserting performed covered service ; (2) by striking performed active military, naval, or air service in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 each place it appears and inserting performed covered service ; (3) by striking subsections (b) through (e) and redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (b); and (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) In this section, the term covered service means active military, naval, or air service— (1) performed in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; (2) performed in Thailand— (A) at a United States Army base or Royal Thai Air Force base during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; or (B) at the Royal Thai Army Replacement Training Center, Pranburi Military Reservation during the period beginning January 1, 1964, and ending on April 30, 1964; (3) performed in Laos during the period beginning on December 1, 1965, and ending on September 30, 1969; or (4) performed in Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kompon Cham Province during the period beginning on April 16, 1969, and ending on April 30, 1969. . (b) Clerical amendments (1) Section heading The heading for section 1116 is amended by inserting , or in close proximity to, before the Republic of Vietnam . (2) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1116 and inserting the following new item: 1116. Presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents; presumption of exposure for veterans who served in, or in close proximity to, the Republic of Vietnam .