Navigation New Presumptions added to Agent Orange List as of January 1, 2021
The Vietnam War officially ended in 1975, but the fight for benefits related to exposure to Agent Orange still continues. And with the passage of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the fight has been won for Veterans suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinson’s-like symptoms.
H.R. 6395-116th Congress: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 was enacted after a congressional override of the President’s veto on January 1, 2021. While there were many items covered in the bill, a major provision of the bill specifically added three new presumptive conditions after exposure to Agent Orange. The conditions of bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism (or Parkinson-like symptoms) were officially added.
Rep. Josh Harder, of California, one of the sponsors of the measures, stated “This is an incredible day for veterans who have waited decades to get the care they deserve — Congress has spent years paying lip service to vets, but thanks to our bipartisan efforts we’re putting our money where our mouth is.”
