VA Secretary Denis McDonough is responsible for implementing H.R. 6395, P.L.116-283–the FY 2021 NDAA, which contains the Tester/Harder Amendment. It was passed into law on Jan. 1, 2021. I have not yet seen any updates on the VA website to reflect that parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism are now presumptive service connection diseases for Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. (Section 1116(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code). McDonough said that he considered this matter “urgent” yet it appears, not too urgent. Not even urgent enough to release the new information on March 29, the National Vietnam War Veterans Day. (Signed by Obama in 2012, it’s such a non-event that I don’t see it mentioned on VVA’s website front page.)
Meanwhile, Agent Orange is an on-going catastrophe for people exposed to it and other herbicides. I have watched this film as an online screening and recommend it. More evidence of generational damage from several points of view.
The People Vs. Agent Orange (2020) Official Trailer HD Environmental Documentary Film
It appears as if this doc will air on PBS in June. The comments on the PBS website provide more examples of suffering from these toxic agents. Sec. McDonough, get the “rules” and AO VA website and outreach efforts, as per law, published. Don’t drag it out until the last possible minute.
Laura (Guest Author)
asknod
brewerkelli
cspencer02
jamesaurora
kcraveiro
Laura
Veterans Claims Help 
Take the proposed or final Federal Regulations from 2010. Substitute IHD, Parkinson’s and B Cell Leukemia for Parkinsonism, Bladder cancer, and Hypothyroidism. Publish them as Final Regulations on the Federal Register!
Why didn’t Wilkie get this in?
And we Thailand vets who were exposed to A/O and other herbicides are still not covered and we continue to die. My own experience– skin cancer all there types— VA denied , denied, denied. parents and siblings no skin cancer seems odd. Lived a year on the base perimeter
Hopefully Bill S. 657 passes!!
This is so disgraceful and shameful to everyone especially us Vietnam veterans.
Right you are. In terms of the new secretary–DC has been blabbing about the backlog–blaming Covid. Well, presumptives go faster so why keep delaying? VA has been preparing for these additions for 3-4 years from what I’ve read.
As far as the Vietnam War recognition–50 years too late. This year some organizations and states are holding their very first events.
Babbling? Did you know that many DC jobs are still remote?
You know all my close buddies I served with in Vietnam have some AO disease. I have DMII, PN and CAD. I am the most healthy of my friends since I am still alive. I recently was granted 100% schedular for DMII and PN in all four limbs. Nobody in my family history ever had DMII or PN.
Same with my old Marine–no family history of DMII. He’s been on a Med. diet and now renal so he’s been able to keep his numbers ok but diabetes is a sneaky and terrible disease. To eliminate more toxins, we buy more organic food. Food toxins and other forms of pollution are driving a percentage of medical expenses–but Big Ag has corrupted Congress that I don’t believe we’ll see many reforms for years. Concerned about the younger vets exposed to burn barrel toxins etc..because they are having a difficult time with the VA as well. Our son was soaked in fuel repairing a plane more than once overseas. Just found out about those incidents. Wash stations weren’t adequate.