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Statement from Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions Today, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin announced that he is considering possible new presumptive conditions that may qualify for disability compensation related to Agent Orange exposure. After thoroughly reviewing the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)’s latest report regarding Veterans and Agent Orange, and associated data and recommendations from the NAM Task Force, I have made a decision to further explore new presumptive conditions for service connection that may ultimately qualify for disability compensation,” Secretary Shulkin said. “I appreciate NAM’s work and the commitment and expertise of VA’s NAM Task Force, and look forward to working with the Administration on the next steps in the process. The Department of Veterans Affairs will now begin work with the Administration to concurrently conduct a legal and regulatory review of these potential presumptive conditions for awarding disability compensation to eligible veterans. [Webmaster note: This is actually a disappointment. It was believed that after the National Academy of Medicine released its findings, the VA would add these diseases (including bladder cancer and hypothyroidism) to the list of prsumptive diseases. They have instead decided to "study" it more.] |