S. 657 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 657 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 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' Affairs A BILL 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. 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.