Blumenthal: Justice for Veterans Exposed to Dangerous Toxins is Needed Now

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During today’s Senate Veterans Committee hearing on military toxic exposures, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) emphasized the need to ensure that veterans who have been exposed to toxins during their service swiftly receive the benefits they deserve from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Blumenthal cautioned against delay in making progress on critical legislation to help veterans affected by toxic exposure, stressing: “I’m really concerned that we’re repeating  our past mistakes with more recently discovered toxic exposures like the ones associated with the burn pits at Karshi-Khanabad, also known as K2, the air base there. We must ensure that justice for these veterans is achieved now and no longer delayed the way it was for Blue Water Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange.”

Blumenthal emphasized the need to recognize additional radiation risk activities for veterans, stating: “[I]t’s been decades since Congress or the VA has recognized additional radiation risk activities. Without this recognition, veterans face insurmountable barriers in having their radiation diseases recognized and therefore in receiving the care and benefits they need.”

Blumenthal also unveiled his plans to introduce the Palomares Veterans Act to remove barriers to benefits and compensation for veterans who responded to the 1966 nuclear accident in Palomares, Spain, saying: “The Palomares nuclear accident caused untold suffering and pain to men and women in uniform sent to the clean up without proper protection and guidance and the VA’s unwillingness to review shoddy data from the Department of Defense has led to unconscionable delays for these veterans. They are aging, it can’t wait any longer.”

Blumenthal praised the Yale Veterans Clinic for pursuing claims related to the Palomares disaster on behalf of the affected veterans and emphasized the need for the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure greater disclosures to make it possible for veterans to pursue their claims and to mitigate toxic exposures altogether. Approximately 1,600 servicemembers were sent to Palomares without protective clothing or warning of potential dangers – subjecting them to dangerous levels of radiation. The Palomares Veterans Act would amend current law to classify the cleanup of Palomares as a “radiation risk activity,” which would provide Palomares veterans with access to health care and disability compensation. As many Palomares veterans have passed away over the years, this legislation would also make surviving spouses and their children eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation – a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.

-30-