117 S657 IS: To modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes. U.S. Senate 2021-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 657IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 10, 2021Mr. Boozman (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Warren, Mr. Portman, Ms. Hassan, and Mr. Braun) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

1.

Modification of presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that if the Secretary creates a presumption of service connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the covered period at a military base in Thailand, such presumption also applies to exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the covered period at any military base located in Thailand without regard to where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed.(b)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Covered period

The term covered period means the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on June 30, 1976.(2)

Herbicide agent

The term herbicide agent has the meaning given such term in section 1116(a) of title 38, United States Code.(3)

Veteran

The term veteran has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.