Bill Sponsor
House Bill 2436
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Apr 8, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Apr 8, 2021
Latest Action
Jul 14, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
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
2436
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
Democrat
Michigan
Republican
Alaska
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
Colorado
Democrat
Colorado
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Illinois
Republican
Illinois
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Michigan
Republican
Michigan
Republican
Michigan
Democrat
Minnesota
Republican
Nebraska
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Republican
New Jersey
Republican
New York
Democrat
North Carolina
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Tennessee
Republican
Tennessee
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Wisconsin
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House 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;
  • Somalia and 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, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, 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)
April 8, 2021
Actions (3)
07/14/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
04/08/2021
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
04/08/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
May 11, 2023 3:43:11 PM