Description:
The bill would • Increase disability compensation and expand health care services for a larger group of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances or served in certain locations during their military service • Increase the number of veterans without service-connected disabilities who can receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs • Require several studies and reports on veterans’ toxic exposures during military service Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from • Increased disability compensation and increased health care costs for certain veterans • Operating costs and administrative costs for processing disability compensation claims and implementing the bill’s other provisions Areas of significant uncertainty include • Estimating the number of veterans affected by the bill and the changes in their disability ratings • Anticipating the number and prevalence of disabilities presumed to be connected to military service • Estimating the number of veterans who would receive additional health care
