VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers

-
BlogOn April 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) adding nine respiratory cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits during military service for certain veterans.VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers
-
Blog
VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers
On April 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) adding nine respiratory cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits during military service for certain veterans. The administrative action, which is the result of a new, expedited review process underway at VA, will allow more veterans to access VA health care and disability benefits without having to prove that their medical conditions are connected to their military service.
Under the IFR, veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning August 2, 1990, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning September 19, 2001, may be eligible for disability compensation benefits if they have or had one of the listed cancers during or after their service.
VA has not released an estimate of the number of veterans who will now receive coverage, though the cancers in question are considered quite rare. However, the effort marks another step by the federal government to expand access to VA benefits for the estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne toxins during the Global War on Terror. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (H.R. 3967), which would add 23 presumptive conditions along with funding research, outreach and education. That measure, which is estimated to cost $300 billion over 10 years, is undergoing negotiations in the Senate as lawmakers seek to reach bipartisan agreement.
Counties support legislative action to ensure veterans in our communities are no longer denied the disability compensation and health coverage they are owed after being exposed to contaminants and environmental hazards in service to their country. Such action would improve the health and wellbeing of our valued former servicemembers while yielding significant savings throughout county health systems, particularly by expanding access to preventative care.
NACo will continue to monitor action on toxic exposure among veterans.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure
On April 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) adding nine respiratory cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits during military service for certain veterans.2022-04-26Blog2022-04-26
On April 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) adding nine respiratory cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits during military service for certain veterans. The administrative action, which is the result of a new, expedited review process underway at VA, will allow more veterans to access VA health care and disability benefits without having to prove that their medical conditions are connected to their military service.
Under the IFR, veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning August 2, 1990, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning September 19, 2001, may be eligible for disability compensation benefits if they have or had one of the listed cancers during or after their service.
VA has not released an estimate of the number of veterans who will now receive coverage, though the cancers in question are considered quite rare. However, the effort marks another step by the federal government to expand access to VA benefits for the estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne toxins during the Global War on Terror. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (H.R. 3967), which would add 23 presumptive conditions along with funding research, outreach and education. That measure, which is estimated to cost $300 billion over 10 years, is undergoing negotiations in the Senate as lawmakers seek to reach bipartisan agreement.
Counties support legislative action to ensure veterans in our communities are no longer denied the disability compensation and health coverage they are owed after being exposed to contaminants and environmental hazards in service to their country. Such action would improve the health and wellbeing of our valued former servicemembers while yielding significant savings throughout county health systems, particularly by expanding access to preventative care.
NACo will continue to monitor action on toxic exposure among veterans.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
-
Blog
Senate passes historic bipartisan toxic exposure legislation
The bill, which amends legislation previously passed in the U.S. House, would provide $278 billion over the next ten years to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. -
Blog
VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. -
Blog
VA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
On April 15, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officially published the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). -
Blog
VA shares implementation plan and locations of PAWS Act pilot program
On March 30, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a Federal Register Notice on its plan for implementing a five-year pilot program required by the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act (PAWS Act), which aims to connect veterans with mental health treatment through work with service dogs. -
Blog
VA publishes Interim Final Rule for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
New Interim Final Rule specifies VA’s implementation plan for a new community-based suicide prevention program -
Blog
House introduces bill that would increase resources for veteran and military caregivers
On February 25, U.S. House Reps. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) introduced the bipartisan Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022 (H.R. 6823) to provide critical investment in caregiver support at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
-
Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
On November 15, 2021, President Biden enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), into law. This page and its contents are supplemental to NACo's comprehensive legislative analysis of the BIL for counties.Reports & Toolkitsdocument030310:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
-
BlogSenate passes historic bipartisan toxic exposure legislationJun. 16, 2022
-
BlogVA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicideMay. 31, 2022
-
BlogVA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant programApr. 18, 2022
Related Resources
-
Press ReleaseCounties Applaud Passage of Veterans Health Care PackageMar. 3, 2022
-
Policy BriefAuthorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)Jan. 13, 2022
-
County Examples & SolutionsDeschutes County, Ore. ARP PlanOct. 1, 2021