Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill covers the following covered 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; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. 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 medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxic substance, chemical, or hazard.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
Armed Forces and National Security
AfghanistanAfricaAir qualityAsiaBahrainCongressional oversightDisability assistanceDjiboutiFiresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIraqKuwaitMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSolid waste and recyclingUnited Arab EmiratesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020
USA116th CongressS-2950| Senate
| Updated: 9/15/2020
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill covers the following covered 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; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. 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 medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxic substance, chemical, or hazard.
AfghanistanAfricaAir qualityAsiaBahrainCongressional oversightDisability assistanceDjiboutiFiresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIraqKuwaitMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSolid waste and recyclingUnited Arab EmiratesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation