President Biden has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding benefits to veterans who have developed certain respiratory cancers because of their links to exposure to toxic burn pits.
The VA confirmed they are adding nine burn pit-related respiratory cancers to the list of military service-connected disabilities.
The move will make victims eligible for veterans benefits.
In his announcement, Biden stated: “In my State of the Union address, I announced that we would propose expanding disability and health benefits to veterans suffering from nine rare respiratory cancers. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is delivering on that promise and upholding that sacred obligation to the women and men who have worn the uniform of our country.”
The nine cancers being added to the list are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
- Adenocarcinoma of the trachea
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea
- Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung
- Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung
- Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung
VA will begin processing disability compensation claims for Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001, to the present.
Any Veteran who has or had one of the listed cancers at any time during or after separation from military service may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. VA will contact impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply.
via U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Biden has previously said he suspected burn pits to be the cause of his son’s brain cancer that led to his death.
“We don’t know for sure if a burn pit was the cause of [Beau’s] brain cancer, or the diseases of so many of our troops,” Biden said. “But I’m committed to finding out everything we can.”
This article originally appeared on USMilitary.org and has been republished with permission.
I remember being in charge of the shit burning detail FB Stinson.LOL
I was in the jungles of Vietnam for a year. I lost two toes of Cancer, Melanoma which is also not on the list of problems due to Agent Orange. I was told my Melanoma was definitely was from Vietnam. My melanoma was from the War, yet the VA will not address the issue. The doctors claimed my condition was very rare and caused from Vietnam.
It is bullshit that they have not given you the AO benefit. I am fighting for mine from being aboard the USS Halsey which is on the list and all they do is keep denying it.
One Parasite that has not been approved is Liver Fluke. A parasite that attacks the liver, which was in Vietnam War. Why has this not added to the list. Its killing many Vietnam vets.
I was 17 when I joined the US Air Force. I was a medic. My first two years were working in Labor n Delivery n Newborn Nursery. This was in the 70’s, before Universal Precautions were implemented. I had to mouth suction the newborns eyes, ears nose n throat with a suction delee, a device that captures the amniotic fluids in a little bottle while using mouth suction. It is known that women have HPV in their vaginas, hence the PAP smears routinely done for female physicals. I was diagnosed with HPV squamous cell cancer of my tonsil n tongue many years later after my discharge. I was denied my claim because I was not diagnosed with HPV Human Papilloma Virus before I was honorably discharged. There is no PAP smear tests done on men, nor is there any HPV test done on men that I know of. I did not have any symptoms of any kind at the time. I was treated for the cancers, but still have many side effects left from the radiation n chemo, Weak joints, fatigue, osteoarthritis n stenosis of my spine, but yet they contend I must have contracted it sexually!!! As though I was totally promiscuous and have had a multitude of partners by the age of 17!!! I joined the military to escape living in poverty at the time!!! But according to the VA, I was a Cassanova, a veritable Don Juan, wining n dining women and having sex like Rasputin at the age of 17!!! And I have documentation to prove how one can get infected by using a suction delee. On conclusion I came away with is the VA panel who make these decisions must have feces (shit) for brains…
I’m rated at 60% because of AO and I have Chronic Heart Disease. I had my right Kidney removed because of cancer and I am now considered to have Chronic Kidney Disease. I’ve submitted my paperwork to the VA to try to get a higher rating. VA has denied my request, saying that when I left the service…..I WASN’T DIAGNOSED WITH KIDNEY CANCER, so therefore my request is denied”.
We the few: serving the many thankless, appreciate the table scraps and like a good dog we retreat to our corner when the work is done and die quietly as not to offend the buffered citizen.
God forbid the public acknowledgement they’ve failed their end of the bargain.
Ever conflict is fought by those foolish enough to think its honorable to serve and then duped into belief it matters to someone. In the end we all get lied to, under appreciated and we will continue to pass on the legacy to our children’s children.
Bark! Woof!
VA loan programs are nothing but a refinance based on equity you have. I have that offer us what we don’t have.
I did not see anything about the Ft.McClellan Toxic Waste Exposure as stated in H.R. Bill 3967 Section 703 passed by the The House. We were exposed to contaminated soil and water due chemicals leaking into the soil. Camp Legume got it. The town of Anniston won their law suit what are we soldiers who were stationed from 1955-1991 nothing but trash? We don’t count? When are we going get our day? We have health issues too.
Exactly. I was at Ft McClellan also. Since I’ve been diagnosed with stage three gleason 8 prostate cancer, chronic lung disease and am on 3 liters of oxygen, chronic heart disease, nerve damage and that’s just some of the issues. And the “VA” claims there’s nothing they can do or will do. Agent Orange they say is a meth so why did they send 16 years ( 1999-2015 ) cleaning Ft McClellan up. There are three words the VA has to skip over Vietnam and Agent Orange.
The v.a.is a joke you try to get anything done they make you jump through hoops and loopholes until you either give up and quit trying or die , that’s why I can no longer trust a politician or pretty much anyone in the government but I still love this country
Amen brother..keep pushing brother.
I buried Agent Orange in Okinawa, we were the main area to ship it while you were allowed. PP&P Camp Foster.. I reported it to all my superiors. I was told we could no longer fly it off the island, I was then told to bury it. I have lots of problems, osteoarthritis, copd, large cysts appear on my groin, above my eye, and neck and back. Some were the size of 2 goofballs.
I think this new law about burn pit is about time our President is doing something. In 1968, I burned human waste in Vietnam. I didn’t have any cancer symptoms until 50 something years had past. All my BROTHERS AND SISTERS thank you for your service.
I have been fighting the Va for 100% disability for 20 years. In Hawaii after being stuck at 10% for years, I was helped by Sen. Daniel Inouye to get 80 %. I have at least 9 of the 14 side effects from Agent Orange and they keep telling me not service connected. Pure BS.
I need to know if the Veterans Administration is aware that Veterans that have received a mobility van for their disabilities have no vehile insurance that will cover their vehicles if they are every involved in a vehicle accident and the vehicle will have to be in the shop for repairs. The insurance company will not pay yo get a replacement mobility van so the Veterans would be able to make appointments or other necessity travel. 🤔🤔 ” Why”
When will the current administration recognize the importance and impact of providing dental care to all veterans receiving their healthcare through the VA? Health care professionals agree poor oral health can have a significant negative effect on overall health. Neglecting oral health can contribute to a myriad of health problems including bacterial pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer. The current provision to provide dental services only to those veterans who have either a 100% disability rating or a service-connected dental disability directly requiring dental care and treatment falls short. The VA is ignoring the need for complete and comprehensive medical care — to include routine dental care along with restorative and corrective care for those veterans who are not 100% disabled and who’s disability is not dental related and also rely on the VA for full medical care..
I agree 100 %. The dental requirements are a bunch of BS.
Hey, you are right. I too need dental coverage. I am rated at 90% but it’s next to impossible to get a 10-point elevation in rating.
call legal help for veterans and they work hard for you. if you have a case, they will fight for you.. they only get paid 20% if you get paid.. very helpful for me
You are absolutely right..Besides all of the things you mentioned, don’t forget about self esteem and depression. Most ppl are VERY self conscious about how their teeth look. How is this not a problem? The VA is really not for the veterans. Dental coverage for ALL vets is a no brainier.
All VA Mortgage companies are not in the Veterans Best Interest. Being a 100% disabled veteran does not help at all, Nor does a Purple Heart. As a first time home buyer that paid $22.000.0” up front to later find out that less than $7,000.00 went toward the purchase of the house. Are there any help for us?
WTF??? So where did the other $15,000 go??