This bill extends the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide exposure to veterans who served: (1) in the territorial seas of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
The bill revises the VA's home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on guaranty amount that is based on the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) conforming loan limit.
The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.
[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 299 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 299
To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating
to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the
Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 5, 2017
Mr. Valadao (for himself, Mr. Walz, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Courtney, Mr.
Ross, and Mr. LoBiondo) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating
to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the
Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act
of 2017''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR VETERANS WHO
SERVED IN VICINITY OF REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.
(a) Compensation.--Subsections (a)(1) and (f) of section 1116 of
title 38, United States Code, are amended by inserting ``(including the
territorial seas of such Republic)'' after ``served in the Republic of
Vietnam'' each place it appears.
(b) Health Care.--Section 1710(e)(4) of such title is amended by
inserting ``(including the territorial seas of such Republic)'' after
``served on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b)
shall take effect as of September 25, 1985.
<all>
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-680.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-680.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 523.
Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5611-5620)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 299.
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At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5620-5621)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 - 0 (Roll no. 289).(text: CR H5611-5614)
Roll Call #289 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 - 0 (Roll no. 289). (text: CR H5611-5614)
Roll Call #289 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-616.