25 April 2019 Greetings! In This Issue:
New Developments in Veterans Law TVC Volunteer & Mission Partner Appreciation Reception TVC Volunteer Inspiring Pro BonoSM (VIP) - Justus Getty Executive Director's Corner Notable News - Now Including Available Pro Bono CAVC Cases
New Developments in Veterans Law Judy Donegan, TVC Director of Litigation & Case Management During a February hearing before a House Appropriations Subcommittee, VA Secretary, Robert L. Wilkie, acknowledged a recent holding from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturning a 2008 decision precluding “Blue Water Navy” veterans from the presumption of exposure to herbicides. He also acknowledged recent legislation from the 115th Congress proposing to extend the presumption of herbicide exposure to all veterans who served on ships in the territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam. He told the Subcommittee that VA did not support the legislation because “there is insufficient factual evidence that [those veterans] were exposed to Agent Orange and insufficient scientific evidence of associated long-term health effects.” CLICK HERE TO READ
Secretary Wilkie also informed the Subcommittee that the Veterans Benefits Administration does not have sufficient resources and infrastructure to process the projected volume of additional Blue Water Navy claims and the existing inventory and backlog of rating claims while maintaining current timeliness standards. VA estimates the cost of this type of proposed legislation would approach $7 billion over 10 years.