Sen. Chuck Schumer is pushing a plan to expand Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits for more Agent Orange-linked diseases VA leaders have so far delayed covering.
During a news conference Tuesday, Senate minority leader Schumer, D-N.Y., said the plan had "broad bipartisan support" and he planned to include it as an amendment to the annual defense spending bill currently working its way through Congress.
"We're here to unveil a national plan. We're about to win this fight," Schumer said. "The plan ... will expand the list of diseases, will provide relief for tens of thousands of veterans" nationwide.
"It will pass," he said, holding up a copy of the amendment.
So far, VA covers 14 illnesses linked to the toxic herbicide used during the Vietnam War. But VA leaders have resisted or delayed adding four additional illnesses -- hypertension (high blood pressure), bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism symptoms, leaving thousands of aging and ill veterans without disability benefits for those issues.
Schumer said his plan would require VA to "formally acknowledge the substantial proof linking" three of the four illnesses to Agent Orange exposure, which "caused all kinds of damage to our vets." The plan would add "these conditions to the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list," he said.
The Senate minority leader said he plans to get the fourth illness -- hypertension -- included on the House side since Senate Republicans nixed it.
Republican Senate leaders "agreed to put the amendment on the floor," Schumer said. "They're in charge, but they left out one condition, hypertension, and we're going to get that in when the bill goes to the House. We're going to fight to get that in."
Lawmakers and veterans' groups have for months repeatedly called on VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and the White House to extend benefits and help an aging population of veterans and their families. So far, Wilkie has said he awaits the results of VA's in-house studies. The White House has been silent, lawmakers, Congressional staff and VSOs told Connecting Vets.
Wilkie said he would likely not make a decision on expanding benefits for the four illnesses until "late 2020."
‘I’m at their mercy’: Decades later, Agent Orange veterans still waiting on VA to decide claims
Veteran service organizations have made toxic exposures a top priority in 2020, from Agent Orange to hazards that caused Gulf War Illness to burn pits, black ooze and other toxins from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie has said repeatedly he disagreed with National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine scientists' findings that link Agent Orange exposure to the four diseases, a decision VA says could cost up to $15.2 billion.
Schumer said the delays have been caused by those concerned about the cost of extending benefits to those veterans.
"Unfortunately, Penny-pinchers in the OMB (Office of Management and Budget) and even in the VA have excluded thousands and thousands of veterans from getting the benefits they need," he said. "That's why we are resorting to legislation."
Schumer made his announcement Tuesday alongside Vietnam Veterans of America members.
"This has been a long time coming," VVA President John Rowan said.
Last year and again in January, Wilkie said he planned to delay his decision on adding four illnesses to the list of diseases VA covers related to exposure to the toxic herbicide. The U.S. sprayed more than 20 million gallons of multiple herbicides over Vietnam from 1961 to 1971, including Agent Orange.
Two years ago, then-VA Secretary David Shulkin decided to add more diseases to the VA's list of health concerns that qualify a veteran for Agent Orange disability benefits. According to documents obtained by a veteran through the Freedom of Information Act and provided to Connecting Vets, White House officials stood in Shulkin's way expressing concern about the cost of covering additional diseases and requesting more research. Military Times first reported on the documents.
A year ago, Veterans Health Administration head Dr. Richard Stone told Congress VA "hoped" to make a decision on those illnesses "within 90 days," as previously reported by Connecting Vets.
Repeated attempts by Connecting Vets to get an update from VA officials on whether the department had a forthcoming decision have been consistently met with the same statement: "VA has no announcements on Agent Orange presumptive conditions at this time."
A list of the diseases currently linked to Agent Orange and eligible for benefits can be found here.
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