Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 7/14/2021
Actions
- 2021-07-14Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2021-04-08Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-04-08Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-04-08Introduced in House
- 2021-04-08Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-04-08 (00)
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to concede, for the purposes of health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame (unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed during such service). A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.
Specifically, the bill covers the following locations and corresponding time periods:
- Iraq between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location;
- Somalia and Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar) from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and
- Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations.
Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request a medical opinion regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.
Cosponsors (20)
- Peter Meijer (R-MI)
- Cheri Bustos (D-IL)
- Daniel Kildee (D-MI)
- Marie Newman (D-IL)
- Val Demings (D-FL)
- Deborah Ross (D-NC)
- Rodney Davis (R-IL)
- Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
- Abigail Spanberger (D-VA)
- Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- C. A. Ruppersberger (D-MD)
- Andy Kim (D-NJ)
- Don Bacon (R-NE)
- JAMES MCGOVERN (D-MA)
- ZOE LOFGREN (D-CA)
- Glenn Grothman (R-WI)
- Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
- GRACE NAPOLITANO (D-CA)
- Ilhan Omar (D-MN)
- Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
Subjects
- Afghanistan
- Africa
- Air quality
- Asia
- Congressional oversight
- Disability assistance
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Environmental health
- Fires
- Government information and archives
- Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Medical tests and diagnostic methods
- Middle East
- Military operations and strategy
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.