VA to Grant Benefits To More Vietnam Veterans


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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