More than 150,000 Veterans are expected to submit Agent Orange claims in the next 12 to 18 months, many of whom are potentially eligible for retroactive disability payments based on past claims.  Additionally, VA will review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims by Vietnam Veterans for service connection for these conditions.  All those awarded service-connection who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.                                                                                           This historic regulation is subject to provisions of the Congressional Review Act that require a 60-day Congressional review period before implementation.  After the review period, VA can begin paying benefits for new claims and may award benefits retroactively for earlier periods.  For new claims, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the effective date of the regulation or to one year before the date VA receives the application, whichever is later.  For pending claims and claims that were previously denied, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.                                                                                              VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation now so the agency can begin development of their claims.                                Contacts: Contact Katie Roberts, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,  katie.roberts@va.gov or 202-461-4982.

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