Veterans Affairs: Diseases Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents

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Proposed Rule

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend its adjudication regulations concerning presumptive service connection for certain diseases based upon the most recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Institute of Medicine committee report, Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008 (Update 2008). This proposed amendment is necessary to implement a decision of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that there is a positive association between exposure to herbicides and the subsequent development of hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B- cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease. The intended effect of this proposed amendment is to establish presumptive service connection for these diseases based on herbicide exposure.

DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before April 26, 2010.