Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 437
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Feb 24, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Feb 24, 2021
Latest Action
Apr 28, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
437
Congress
117
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Alaska
Republican
Arkansas
Democrat
Delaware
Republican
Florida
Democrat
Illinois
Republican
Indiana
Republican
Louisiana
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Michigan
Republican
Mississippi
Republican
Mississippi
Republican
Missouri
Democrat
New Hampshire
Republican
North Carolina
Republican
North Dakota
Democrat
Oregon
Democrat
Rhode Island
Republican
South Dakota
Republican
Tennessee
Democrat
West Virginia
Democrat
Wisconsin
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to concede, for the purposes of health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame (unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed during such service). A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.

Specifically, the bill covers the following locations and corresponding time periods:

  • Iraq between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location;
  • Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar) from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and
  • Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations.

Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request a medical opinion regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.

Text (1)
February 24, 2021
Actions (3)
04/28/2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
02/24/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
02/24/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:46:31 PM