VA expansion of benefits for disability claims for conditions related to certain toxic exposures

VA announced today two major decisions related to presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange and particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia. RE: AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE VA will begin implementing provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283), adding three conditions to the list of those presumptively associated with exposure to herbicide agents, more commonly known as Agent Orange. >>>Those conditions are bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism.<<<

RE: BURN PIT EXPOSURE [...] recommendation to consider creation of new presumptions of service connection for respiratory conditions based on VA’s evaluation of a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report and other evidence. VA’s review supports initiation of rulemaking to address the role that particulate matter pollution plays in generating chronic respiratory conditions, which may include asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis for >>>Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War and/or after September 19, 2001, or in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War.<<< https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/89496/breaking-news-va-plans-expansion-benefits-disability-claims-conditions-related-certain-toxic-exposures/?utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&fbclid=IwAR3hznoq43YzLDiwQvL1vmBv4NI_aFuSJMk2vIBVIt8DfRzkSy9fiVYWDzQ