A bill to amend section 1116 of title 38, United States Code, to modify and extend authorities on the presumption of service-connection for herbicide-related disabilities of Vietnam era veterans, and for other purposes.
Last action on Jun 28, 2001Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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Summary
Repeals the requirement that, in order to be presumed service-connected and therefore compensable through the Department of Veterans Affairs, respiratory cancers of individuals who served in the Vietnam era must become manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within 30 years following such service. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reconsider each claim that was denied by reason of such requirement. Provides a retroactive effective date for the award of an otherwise valid claim.
Extends from ten to 20 years the effectiveness of a determination by the Secretary of a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam era.