Agent Orange

A soldier participates in the Norwegian Foot March at Fort Ord National Monument, in Monterey County, California, Oct. 28, 2022. Mounting evidence shows that to kill pervasive poison oak and other weeds at Fort Ord — a former Army base, which closed in 1994 — the military sprayed and experimented with the powerful herbicide combination Agent Orange as far back as the 1950s.

Exposed to Agent Orange on base, vets face cancer without VA compensation

The VA has long given veterans who served in Vietnam disability compensation for illness connected to Agent Orange. But those exposed at U.S. bases are still waiting for the same benefits.

Dozens of Veterans Affairs staffers were on hand at a PACT Act event at the Lake Baldwin VA Clinic in Orlando on Friday.

Health News Florida

With recent PACT Act expansion, VA urges more veterans to get screened

Joe Byrnes - WMFE

The VA is making more veterans with toxic exposure eligible for health care now instead of phasing in coverage. About 200 veterans signed up at a recent Orlando event.

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan or other toxins could more easily qualify for disability benefits under the PACT Act.

Health News Florida

Veterans affected by toxic exposure can apply for health care benefits under PACT Act

Stephanie Colombini

The law expands health care benefits for veterans who may have developed illnesses after toxic exposure during their service. The VA can start processing most claims on Jan. 1.

Vietnam Veteran Jim Scott, who now volunteers for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, shared his story at the 2018 Bladder Cancer Think Tank. Scott attributes his disease to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Health News Florida

More Vietnam vets qualify for disability benefits, but it may be years before they see the money

Carson Frame

Veterans suffering from certain medical conditions became eligible for "presumptive" VA disability benefits last year. But the claims they're filing have added to the agency's huge backlog.

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Health News Florida

Veteran Lobbyist Bob Levy Dies

"Levites," a cadre of lobbyists, legislators and aides who credit veteran lobbyist Robert M. Levy for their entrance into the cutthroat world of Florida…