VA Extends “Agent
Orange” Benefits to More Veterans
October 13, 2009
Parkinson’s Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized
WASHINGTON – Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses
based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.
The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell
leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.
Used in Vietnam to
defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues
to the present. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.
In practical terms, Veterans who served
in Vietnam during the war and
who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military
service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.
The Secretary’s decision brings
to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“We must do better reviews of illnesses that may
be connected to service, and we will,” Shinseki added. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions
based on solid evidence.”
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure
to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
· Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
· Chloracne
· Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
· Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
· Hodgkin’s Disease
· Multiple Myeloma
· Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
· Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
· Prostate Cancer
· Respiratory Cancers, and
· Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma,
or Mesothelioma)
Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services and programs for Veterans exposed to the chemical are
available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.Enhanced VA mortgages possible for vets in distress
WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Veterans with conventional
home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which President
Bush signed into law Oct. 10.
"These changes will allow VA to assist a
substantial number of veterans with subprime mortgages refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loan," said
Dr. James B. Peake, VA secretary. "Veterans in financial distress due to high
rate subprime mortgages are potentially the greatest beneficiaries."
VA has never guaranteed subprime loans;
however, as a result of the new law VA can now help many more veterans who currently have subprime loans.
The new law makes changes to VA's home loan
refinancing program. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional
mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. These
types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.
Additionally, Congress raised VA's maximum
loan amount for these types of refinancing loans. Previously, these refinancing
loans were capped at $144,000. With the new legislation, such loans may be made
up to $729,750 depending on where the property is located.
Increasing the loan-to-value ratio and raising
the maximum loan amount will allow more qualified veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs
or even potentially avoiding foreclosure.
Originally set to expire at the end of this
month, VA's authority to guaranty Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Hybrid ARMs was also extended under this new law through Sept.
30, 2012. Unlike conventional ARMs and hybrid ARMs, VA limits interest rate increases
on these loans from year to year, as well as over the life of the loans.
Since 1944, when home loan guaranties were
offered with the original GI Bill, VA has guaranteed more than 18 million home loans worth more than $911 billion. This year, about 180,000 veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and survivors received loans valued at about
$36 billion.
For more information, or to obtain help
from a VA loan specialist, veterans may call VA at (877) 827-3702 or visit www.homeloans.va.gov.
Release No. 10-16-08
Oct. 31, 2008
New law allows veterans' salutes during anthem
WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style
hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's
armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that
honor in all events involving our nation's flag."
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans
to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes
during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute
during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform
military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization
Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform servicemembers during
the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took
effect Jan. 28, 2008. (Courtesy of VA News)
