Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Stands Behind Agent Orange Payouts

September 30, 2010 - Ever since the last additions to the Agent Orange presumptive disease list were announced, certain Senators have been questioning the presence of every listed disease. Last Thursday Senators were given a chance to question Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials on their decision to pay disability claims to what will amount to tens of thousands of veterans.

According to Senate Veterans Affairs Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), the meeting was held to examine the legitimacy of the process the VA uses when selecting what service-related illnesses will be added to the presumptive disease list. Given how many soldiers are returning from deployments with symptoms suffered because of exposure to burn pits, this topic is going to rear its head again in the future. It is better then, to have a sound selection process in place before the need for one becomes necessary again.   

If a veteran develops a disease on the presumptive disease list, that veteran does not have to prove a connection between his service in the military and that sickness in order to make a disability compensation claim. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va) has attacked the idea of blindly providing disability to veterans who could develop the presumptive diseases because of other reasons not related to military service.

VA Sec. Shinseki supports the VA's decision to add certain diseases to the presumptive list by citing to multiple studies. These studies conclude the diseases on the list are more likely to occur in those who have been exposed to Agent Orange. Sec. Shinseki also pointed out to other diseases that were not added to the list because they could not be scientifically established.

Sec. Shinseki spoke to the VA's mission to take care of all veterans. There are thousands of veterans suffering from the diseases on the presumptive list. Placing them on the list allows veterans to be compensated for their disability as well as receive health care for their condition.