Wednesday, September 01, 2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expected to spend an additional $40 billion in the next ten years to provide health services to Vietnam veterans who became ill as a result of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War. The added cost is a result of the VA adding numerous medical conditions to a list of qualified disorders stemming from exposure to the chemicals. Among the illnesses being added are ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and several forms of leukemia.
More than 150,000 Vietnam veterans are expected to file for medical and disability benefits as a result of the rule change, according to the VA. In addition, another 90,000 veterans with the illnesses who were previously denied benefits will have their claims reviewed by the department.
The change in coverage can be blocked by Congress and the president in the next 60 days, a possibility considered unlikely in an election year. Assuming Congress does not act, the VA could begin paying out benefits on October 29.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
VA to Spend Billions in New Viet Vet Claims (by Bryant Jordan, Military.com)
Agent Orange: Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure (Department of Veterans Affairs)
VA Approves Agent Orange-Parkinson’s Disability Claims (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Obama Doubles Funds to Clean Up Agent Orange in Vietnam (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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