LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — UPDATE: We reached out to the VA to see how many Vietnam veterans in Nevada will have their claims readjudicated. The VA does not have numbers broken down by state but provided the following overall information: "VA will pay both retroactive payments to individuals with previously denied claims and recurring payments to individuals with continued benefits entitlement in the future. Nearly 52,000 Veterans and 2,000 Survivors will receive recurring benefit payments, while nearly 19,000 Veterans and 6,000 Survivors and estates will receive retroactive benefit payments."
Vietnam veterans risked everything to serve our country but some who returned home were denied medical benefits.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says they've waited long enough. Now, more veterans exposed to chemical weapons like Agent Orange can possibly get the health care they deserve.
The VA is reviewing claims for veterans who served in the off-shore waters of Vietnam where they were exposed to certain chemical agents.
The VA is also adding three critical health conditions bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to be considered presumptive medical problems related to herbicide agents.
Moving forward, the VA says it's now taking a holistic approach to consider health conditions caused by toxic exposure.
In the meantime, the reviews will happen automatically for Vietnam veterans who were previously denied.
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