I normally don’t comment on proposed federal legislation regarding Title 38 (Department of Veterans Affairs) unless I feel reasonably certain that the legislation is likely to be passed in some form. A recent Military Times article, however, identified two issues that have been ongoing within the Department of Veterans Affairs: (1) Title 38 benefits for veterans exposed to VOCs at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and (2) proposed changes to the statute regarding presumptions of exposure to Agent Orange (TCDD) for Vietnam-era veterans who served aboard ship off the coastal waters of the Republic of Vietnam (colloquially referred to as “Blue Water Veterans”). The Military Times Article can be accessed at this link.
In relation to the Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s cited “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015”, this bill was referred to committee in March 2015 (this is normally not a positive indication of passage). I believe a similar bill was also re-introduced in the House early this year. You can track the bill at S 681 (Blue Water Veterans). The Australian Agent Orange study Senator Gillibrand referred to can be accessed — without cost —- at the following link Researchgate Australian Veteran Study.
If you have questions concerning eligibility or entitlement to benefits under Title 38, please do not hesitate to contact me at (732) 382-6070 or via email at sdirector@FRE-L.com.