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From: Otis Willie PIO The American War Library 
Newsgroups: fidonet.vietnam_vets
Subject: VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
 in Korea hhtp://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange
Organization: The American War Library
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Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:54:37 -0800
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VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange in Korea
hhtp://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange

{EXCERPT} Will Provide Easier Path to Health Care and Benefits

WASHINGTON - Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving along the
demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea will have an easier path to access quality
health care and benefits under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) final
regulation that will expand the dates when illnesses caused, By herbicide
exposure can be presumed to be related to Agent Orange.

"VA's primary mission is to be an advocate for Veterans," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki "With this new regulation VA has cleared a
path for more Veterans who served in the demilitarized zone in Korea to receive
access to our quality health care and disability benefits for exposure to Agent
Orange."

Under the final regulation published today in the Federal Register, VA will
presume herbicide exposure for any Veteran who served between April 1, 1968, and
Aug. 31, 1971, in a unit determined by VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to
have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ in which herbicides were
applied.

Previously, VA recognized that Agent Orange exposure could only be conceded to
Veterans who served in certain units along the Korean DMZ between April 1968 and
July 1969.

In practical terms, eligible Veterans who have specific illnesses VA presumes to
be associated with herbicide exposure do not have to prove an association
between their illness and their military service. This "presumption" simplifies
and speeds up the application process for benefits and ensures that Veterans
receive the benefits they deserve.

Click on these links to learn about Veterans' diseases associated with Agent
Orange exposure
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/disea ses.asp
at
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp and birth
defects in children of Vietnam-era Veterans
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/birth
_defects.asp at
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/birth_defects.asp.

VA encourages Veterans with covered service in Korea who have medical conditions
that may be related to Agent Orange to submit their applications for access to
VA health care and compensation as soon as possible so the agency can begin
processing their claims.

Individuals can go to website
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm to get a more complete
understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to
herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision
about disability compensation or survivors benefits.

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA's services for Veterans exposed
to the chemical is available at
hhtp://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange

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-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
   Military News and Information Editor http://www.13105320634.com
   The American War Library, Est. 1988 http://www.amervets.com
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