Did you know that the Veterans Health Administration is the largest health care system in the US? With that in mind, it’s hard to believe how often veterans health care falls short.
Our veterans made the ultimate sacrifice for us, so they deserve the very best care when they get home. The sad news is that veteran benefits and programs often fail our beloved veterans. The good news is that these programs are always improving.
Recently, President Biden announced legislation set to help support veterans more moving forward. Among the issues addressed were veterans suffering from WWII cancer and toxic burns.
Are you interested in learning more about how these bills are set to help? Read on to learn everything you need to know about how these bills will impact veterans health care.
Expands Care for Toxic Burn Pit Victims
One of the most crucial aspects of these new bills is the expansion of care for toxic burn pit victims.
During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, troops got exposed to toxic burn pits. These pits got filled with trash, plastics, medical waste, jet fuel, and more. Once it was set ablaze, troops often inhaled those chemicals.
It’s estimated that thousands could be experiencing the impacts of exposure. In many situations, that exposure has led to lung cancer.
This bill would expand eligibility to veterans who served after 9/11. It also added 23 burn pit and toxic exposure conditions to the covered conditions. Further, the provisions will take effect immediately!
President Biden’s Personal Connection to the Issue
This legislation is important not only for veterans but also President Biden himself. President Biden has a very personal connection to burn pit victims.
According to the president, Beau Biden served in the military. During his time overseas, he worked near burn pits. These burn pits, he explains, get filled with hazardous waste. Then, those toxins enter into the airspace.
The sad reality is that US troops were too close to these burn pits, and Beau Biden was one of them. Once Biden returned home, he started suffering physical health problems. By 2015, he passed away from a brain tumor.
In the following months and years, President Biden made the connection. The toxic burn pits likely caused his son’s cancerous tumor.
Improves Cancer Screening and Treatment
Another important issue addressed by legislation is the expansion of cancer care. According to a 2021 study, female veterans were 3 times more likely to develop breast cancer. What’s more, breast cancer cases have tripled within the VA Department.
To address these issues, the latest bill seeks to improve screening and treatment. It hopes to expand access to mammogram scans. It will also upgrade all the VA’s mammogram services to 3D imaging.
Further, it will help expand access to clinical trials for suffering veterans.
WWII Nuclear Programs: Consequences of Exposure
Breast cancer isn’t the only cancer addressed in the new legislation. Yet another bill focuses on WWII-era nuclear programs.
During WWII, the US government and others experimented with atomic weapons. This process involves several dangerous aspects. From uranium mining to deploying these weapons, exposure was very common.
Exposure to nuclear material causes a host of medical issues. In the past, though, these issues weren’t covered by the VA. Now, coverage has expanded to include veterans suffering from radiation exposure.
How to Identify the Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer is a very debilitating and devastating disease. The good news is that most types of cancer are responsive to treatment in the early stages. If you can identify your symptoms early, then you’ll have a better chance of recovering.
Here are a few things to watch for:
- Extreme and debilitating fatigue
- Explainable weight loss or gain
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Eating problems
- Unexplained pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Unexplained general changes to your body
If you’ve noticed some of these signs, then it might be wise to consult with your doctor. Take advantage of the recent VA bills to get screened for common types of cancers.
The Congressional Gold Medal Goes to U.S. Army Ranger Veterans of WWII
While giving remarks, President Biden also talked about the Congressional Medal. He said the gold medal will be going to the US Army Ranger Veterans of WWII.
These Rangers played a crucial role in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. This important WWII event occurred over 78 years ago. On that day, 7,000 American troops stormed the beaches.
Today, only 12 of those amazing and brave veterans continue to bless us with their presence. Each of them will be receiving a gold Congressional Medal.
How to Take Advantage of these Veterans Care Benefits
Knowing that this recent legislation could improve your health care as a veteran is step one. If you want to take advantage of these benefits, then you’ll have to go to a VA medical center.
You can opt to call or walk into a center during clinic hours. An agent will help you understand your rights, potential benefits, and coverage.
If you decide to apply, then you’ll fill out a VA Form 10-10EZ, which is a basic application. Feel free to go online or visit a nearby VA facility in person. You should receive correspondence regarding your application in following weeks.
Once you get approved, you’ll be able to seek the care you deserve.
Veterans Health Care in 2022 and Beyond
By signing these 9 bi-partisan bills, President Biden is improving veterans health care. Burn victims and cancer victims who suffered WWII exposure will both get support. Further, Biden is honoring veterans of WWII with the Congressional Gold Medal.
If you’re a veteran, then it’s important to understand these benefits and how they can help you! Depending on your situation, these bills could give you direct veterans aid.
If you need more help, consider reaching out to the Veterans Health Administration. Otherwise, you’ll want to keep up with the latest news to stay aware of the latest changes and updates.
Click over to our military news section now to see more of our latest articles.
This article was originally published on USMilitary.org and has been shared with permission.
I have used the GI bill. I used it to buy a home. 34 years ago thanks to the GI bill I was able to get a loan with the government backing. I couldn’t have been more thankful. I would’ve never been able to get a loan without it. Now my earing is getting worse, after working on the aircraft carriers. The older I get the worse it gets. I need help now. I’m asking for it now.
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
I had many problems in getting my health Beniffits NY NG moved to North Carolina a little better, but then I moved to Delaware .
Delaware is the best for me getting medical help and Bennifits. The VA is here to help us while we are alive, The comunity care system is working out well. The doctors and nurses are the greatest.
Best to join a group that helps, I joined Vietnam Veterans of America look for a chapter near you.
Paul Lardizzone PHC/PDC Service Officer does a great job he does his best to make sure you get your Bennifits that you earned and deserve.
The system takes a long time, why?
Veterans move to Delaware best overall for VA benefits
The government and the vet administration and the people of the United States just want the Viet Nam vet to die and or go away.
I tend to agree with this statement. First is the FACT that getting in touch can be larorious. It takes between 10 to 56 times to connect with the first VA reps and then reconnect with other reps. This can take between 39 minutes to over 2 hours. And then I don’t have either my regular in Santa Barbara (supposedly soon to Ventura) and West LA. Once I get medical person things are good, but getting to that person is like pulling teeth. Please fix the phone connection.
We live in Michigan. It took my husband 40 years to get his 100% disability. He had been suffering with all of his illness from A.O.. He died 6/15/22 due to extremely high blood pressure & kidney damage.
I was getting all my appts. free and my medicine free, even got a check from VA for back appts and medicine. Then when Biden took over appts went up to $50 and had to start paying for medicine again, was that something Biden reversed on the greatest President in our lifetime policy along with everything else he reversed and is destroying our country.
I LIVE IN KILLEEN TEXAS, THE NEAREST VA IS IN TEMPLE, TEXAS ANDTHEY ARE THE WORST VA FACILITY EVER. THE PEOPLE WHO GREAT YOU ARE VERY RUDE, WHEN I SAID I CAN’T HEAR YOU SHE SAID IT MUST BE FRIDAY. TOOK SIX MOUNTHS TO GET A AUDIO APPOINTMENT. TOOK ALMOST AS LONG TO GET AN EYE APPOINTMENT. WHEN I CALLED WAS ON HOLD FOR MORE THAN 30 MINS. MOST EMPLOYEES ARE RETIRED MILITARY OVER 70 AND ARE UNABLE TO DO THERE JOB PROFISHENITLY.
I AM NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS, SO FROM NOW ON I GO OUT ON THE OUTSIDE AND GET BETTER TREATMENT.
For 30 odd years, I lived the life of an Army solider. Finally, when we moved closer to a VA Medical Center, I enrolled in the health care system, this was about a year and half ago (which I feel I certainly had earned). No problem, certainly have earned this benefit (besides receiving the ” taxable” pension, I live in Delaware!). Then, out of the blue, I received a notice a few months stating I am no longer eligible due to a new order dated 1 October 2021 passed by the Democratic Congress reinstating an income cap!
I can’t believe this, while I (and I do include the thousands of
other military members) spent the better part of my adult life serving this country while civilians were paying off their 30-year mortgages and developing a nice career and retirement plan, now because of a ridiculous salary cap, I am no longer eligible.
I miss DJT!
I was in Nam in 65/66 I have 3 daughters and each one of them has med problems that no one in my family ever had . I’m sure they will find a connection to AO after we’re all dead. I also have problem with my legs shaking when I lift them off the ground. Doctors don’t know what it is or what’s causing this. I think it’s also AO but again when we’re all dead.
ya i know what you mean i have the same propblem with my legs but they dont shake they just lock up and i cannt walk but the U s wont do any thing about it but now if we live in or was in there army or what evevry they have dicided that that come form be exposed to the A.C. so they are trying to take care of there people so i now what you are going thought but like you said we be all dead before they do any thing
For over 30 years I have been trying to get dental care through the VA, contacting VA, Congressmen, Senators, and Presidents and I have gotten nowhere. During 20 years of military service my teeth rotted, military dentists put fillings and crowns on my teeth that are now falling out.
ALSO, I have been trying to get help to convince the State of New Mexico to remove the requirement for state income taxes from military retirement pay. Our retirement pay for a Sergeant First Class is low and the VA benefits are pitiful, we need for our country that we so honorable served to take care of us now in our after service years.
Hi
if you were ever injured while in the military for any reason put a cliam in for those injuries. if you ever get 100% you can get dental care. and also your children can also get medical from the VA. if the military did your dental put a claim in, do not give up
i was not injured while in the service by rather in the VA hosp. I crushed my ankle and was taken to VA hosp. No bones ever poke through the skin. 8 surgeries for anything from not having the right parts, to screw heads breaking off two rods, to cut blood vessels to finally a what they call a Tylor spiral brace. 4 metal rings with 20-something rods going all the way through. Then the phone call said. Ya need to come in so we amputating your leg. The VA Hosp had given me a bone infection.
When i asked how this could happen the first response was: You do know this is a training Hosp right,”. In the end when the rods were pulled through my leg the guy never cleaned them first. He was pissed for being there and in a hurry. I was held down on a table and he clipped and pulled. I have sent in and written to 25 different people and never received a response about being compensated. When i asked the dr there answer was, did it happen in war or are you an officer, then no nothing, This is just the tip of the horror from the va and how it destroyed my business? Any help would be great
I’m1 100% disabled my wife applied for campus in march 2022 no response as of yet what’s the timeline for getting her enrolled
I was married in December and my husband did not get his medical card until June!!!!
there is no time limit go to your nearest VA and go to the eligibility office its Champus
bring your Marriage certificate your Id card if you have children bring all your wife can go to the PX, the commersary, she is also entitle to education ( college) VA mortage
all the VA insepector gegneral at 1-800=488-8244
sorry for the spelling bur you can read it
hope this helps you
carmelo
They are still months behind due to covid. Anyway thats what they told me. Just keep calling champva and checking on the status. Otherwise you may get lost in the paperwork shuffle. It took about 3 month for him to get his card.
I filled for my dependents to be on champ VA back in December and was informed mid June, when I called to check status, that it won’t me done until mid to late July and to just keep all receipts for medications and check ups so I can file for reimbursement as they back date to date of application.
But do not go to the VA clinic unless you know they have a benefits office that deals with champ VA, most DO NOT. It will be a wasted trip and the VA medical has nothing to do with the enrollment process of Champva
The va will let a vet suffer all the doc has to do is nothing
This bill is Nice for everyone except Vietnam Vet. No where is it mentioned about Agent Orange. It did however mention spraying ibourder Perimiter areas but no mention with what. The orginal article in the news paper mentioned Vietnam vet Now we are gone.
This is NOT Right !!!
if you apply to the VA you will be covered you should have gotten compersation for agent orange
Not true even if you are a Veteran and served 20 years. In most cases your income is too high to qualify for VA.. I don’t understand this, my Dad was in the VA system, he made a lot more money than I did but he qualified and I didn’t. He was in the system over 20 years ago, maybe that makes a difference. Anyway, they told me I don’t qualify.
My husband was also in Vietnam. He was right in the areas where Agent Orange was. He had several medical problems from it: diabetes. Open heart surgery. Pstd, depression problems. Kidney damage. It took him 40 years to get 100% disability, unemployed. He died on 6/15/22 of his kidneys shutting down. His blood pressure were very extremely high (220/110.) Ect
He started getting sick & was hospitalized since 3/12/22…
The VA told me a little more than a year ago that I was exposed to so. I’ve told them for 45 years.amazing. they also told me that I would not be compensated because I am being treated for some of the stuff already. WHY?????
There are all kinds of benefits if you meet the criteria
As a man who began his Military career in the Army, an impressionable young man fresh out of high school, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I found myself, during a bivouac exercise, traumatized by being left in the field to find his way back to base alone, at night, who to this day at 69 still suffer the ramifications of that D. I’s racist, bigoted, careless, “oh, it was just a joke”, attitude, qualify me for anything more than a 10? Fortunately, after receiving an Honorable because of my strong protest to that rather cavalier behavior, I joined, and had a good tour, in the Air Force shortly after that experience. None the less, the trauma you see, is still with me and probably will be for the rest of my life, unless I can get the psychological help I need. Or is it too late to sue? or should I speak with a JAG officer?
not late but you can not sue the arm forces. you should be getting help for this condition you should be getting psychological help,
We had burn pits in viet nam at every base camp. Everything was burned from poop to food cans with mo gas mixed with diesel
Why cans ? Flies and othet insects and so vc could not use them. Same thing with perimter fence for weed cotrol. Why did you forget us ? This is not fair !!!
You are so right. Article in the News Paper Mentioned Vietnam Vets & Agent Orange.
I filed for bladder cancer ( which has spread to the kidney). Just recently I found that this has made the list for Agent Orange. I filed via my county vet rep waited 11 months got declined. Pretty much told me your 76 and already 100% disabled all service connected. Was advised not to refile if I did good chance they would come after me and jeopardize my current disability. Two deployments to Nam 66-68. Any ideas ?
apply again start treatment at the VA to get record started
I was advised to submit a claim for my thyroid condition due to agent orange exposure in Vietnam. I did so on June 2021. I recently stopped by the VA office where I live to inquire. I was advised the process went through medical records and reports then just died in someone’s desk. This person sent a message to inquire and told me to check.back in 3 months.and next time make a appointment before stopping by my office. Since no one was there I am not sure who or what I interrupted.
Don’t know if anyone has told you but I will. Back in 2000, 2001 the Agent Orange bill was passed that gives each veteran who served during specific dates automatic coverage for any existing or future diseases caused by it. You need to check with the closest VA Hospital or facility and inquire about the Agent Orange physical. Take your DD214 and any other paperwork to prove you were in VN or exposed to AO. You will get a finding of “Exposed & eligible for treatment & benefits from AO. My case is Diabetes II w progressive neuropathy in both feet. made a 30% add on to my score. Fortunately I did it because the next year had renal failure from problems with diabetes II. 70% I know it gets old & tiresome but keep going back to get your benefits.
Sadly they won’t come looking for you.
call the VA inspector general in DC 1800-488-8244
hope this helps
carmelo
Why is it the government. Dose nothing about all the veterans and their families who stationed st camp Lejune and were poisoned by the water they drank. Every time I tried to get help I get the run a round. I guess you have to die first and then you can go to the cemetery that was built just for that reason!!!
I fail to see how any American Veteran can support Joey Boboon and his Socialist Demoncrap Party!!
Ditto! Unfortunately there are still idiots who support this communist who cares more about illegal aliens and funds them but leaves our vets homeless and suffering. The illegals get free medical and everything under the sun taken care of. It’s sick!! EVIL!!!
That is not true a ruling was made and if you can prove you were there you will get Compensation. Plus there is a class action lawsuit for those victims. Google it and you can see the information
what is the web site? what do you Google? Thanks
they just stared president just signed a law to help you jar heads
carmelo
This is very interesting, You’re an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to searching for more of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
I got what you intend,bookmarked, very decent site.
I like this web site so much, saved to my bookmarks. “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.” by Peter De Vries.
I have tricare and medicare and I love it. Now I need dental care but since i am not 100 percent disabled the military will not help. Did Biden do anything to help?
NO! I have been advocating for years to change the current dental eligibility to include all disabled veterans receiving their medical care from the VA. My letter to President Biden went unanswered.
I need to talk to someone about my benefits
what type of benefits
Do you offer more fir the Veterans wife’s , to help with daily living issues…. ??? Thank yiu
What about Veterans Spouses? Where’s their Benefits? And what benefits do they qualify for? Through Champ VA? Thanks.
if your 100% your wife, your children get medical. she can go to the VA for treatment no copay, your children also get medical at the doctor. with a copay. your wife, children also get education benifit also VA mortage loans
Not true. Va will not treat wife and children
If the husband is 100% wife get free medical so do the children no living expensense