Air Force Retiree News reports that based upon a recently
released review of scientific studies, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Anthony J. Principi has decided to extend benefits to Vietnam veterans
with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The ruling means that veterans
with CLL who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War don't have to
prove that illness is related to their military service to qualify for
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation. Principi ordered
the development of regulations to enable the VA to begin paying
compensation benefits once a final rule takes effect. Publication of
that regulation is expected in the near future. The VA will publish
further details, when available, on its Website.
In the meantime, veterans with questions about health-care, compensation
and survivor benefits may call a toll-free help line at 1-800-749-8387
for information. The VA also encourages Vietnam veterans who have not
done so to request a subscription to Agent Orange Review, the VA's free
newsletter that will keep them abreast of developments on this issue and
other policies and scientific findings in the future. Additional
information about Agent Orange is available at the Agent
Orange Page.
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