Rep. Griffith Announces Extended Veterans Benefits

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10/13/2009 -- WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith today announced extended benefits to more veterans that are suffering illnesses due to exposure to chemicals during their service to our country. Vets who suffer from hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease will now receive expanded benefits as a result of the recent decision by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to streamline the application process for benefits.

“When it comes to taking care of our troops and vets, we must cast as wide a net as possible,” Griffith said. “As we approach Veterans Day and celebrate the constant sacrifice our soldiers endure, it is essential that they have access to every benefit that we have promised them.”

The illnesses affected by this decision have shown to manifest as a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The chemical was used to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to Agent Orange.

“Our military heroes do not deserve an inch of red tape in the benefits process,” Griffith added. “This is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to deliver our troops the benefits they deserve.”

The decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the VA due to exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War. Other illnesses recognized are Lymphocytic Leukemia, Type 2 Diabetes, Hodgkin’s Disease, Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Prostate Cancer and Respiratory Cancer. Additional information about VA services and programs for Veterans exposed to Agent Orange is available at www.publichealth.va.gov.

Source: Congressman Parker Griffith