Topics

VA To Grant Benefits To More Vietnam Veterans

Based on 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. Additionally, for more than 20 years, VA has offered special access to medical care to Vietnam veterans with any health problems that may have resulted from Agent Orange exposure, and this decision will ensure higher priority access to care in the future.

The decision to provide compensation was based upon a recent report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that found among scientific studies “sufficient evidence of an association” between exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War and CLL.

Agent Orange Alert!

VA decided that Vietnam Veterans who were in country, and who now have Adult Onset Diabetes their disease was caused by Agent Orange! Final rules for Type II Diabetes were published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2002, Contact our office for information.

The VA announced a toll-free Hot Line for Vietnam Veterans whose children have Spina Bifida: 1-888-820-1756 between 10am-1:30pm and 2:30pm-4:30pm Eastern Standard Time, or visit the VA web site for more information.
 

State Veterans Benefits Alert!

Service connected disabled veterans (regardless of rating percentage) your children (regardless of age) may be eligible for fees and tuition waivers if they are attending any California State Community College, CSU Campus or UC campus and their income does not exceed the national poverty level income for a single individual. Spouses of veterans may also be eligible for this waiver.  See or call our office for more details.