1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Keeping Our Promises Act”.
Keeping Our Promises Act
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that certain diseases are covered by the presumption of service connection relating to the exposure to herbicides by certain veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.
2. Addition of diseases to presumption of service connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam
Specified diseases— Subsection (a)(2) of section 1116 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
“(K) Prostate cancer becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(L) Cancer of the urinary bladder becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(M) AL amyloidosis becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(N) Early-onset peripheral neuropathy becoming manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during active military, naval, or air service.
“(O) Parkinson’s disease (including Parkinsonism and Parkinson-like syndromes) becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(P) Ischemic heart disease becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(Q) Stroke becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(R) Hypothyroidism becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.
“(S) Hypertension becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more.”
Additional diseases—
Extension of sunset— Subsection (e) of such section 1116 is amended by striking “2015” and inserting “2030”.
Prohibition of cost as factor— Subsection (b) of such section 1116 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(4) In making determinations for the purpose of this subsection, the Secretary may not take into account the costs to the United States relating to paying compensation under this section pursuant to such determination.”
Timing and submission of determinations— Subsection (c)(1) of such section 1116 is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “60 days” both places it appears and inserting “120 days”; and
in subparagraph (B)—
by inserting “and submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate” after “publish in the Federal Register”; and
by inserting “, and any other factor that contributed to,” after “scientific basis for”.