ThePolitibase
S. 1281IntroducedARMED FORCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003

Atomic bomb · Cardiovascular diseases · Congress
Sponsor
Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL]
D · FL
Key facts
Introduced: Jun 18, 2003
Chamber: Senate
Cosponsors: 1
Congress: 108th
Latest action · Jul 10, 2003
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-613.

Summary

Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003 - Includes the following among the diseases to be considered service-connected, and therefore compensable through the Department of Veterans Affairs, when suffered by a veteran who is a former prisoner of war who was detained or interned for at least 30 days: (1) cardiovascular (heart) disease; (2) cerebrovascular disease (stroke); or (3) chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and primary liver carcinoma.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) and the Secretary of Defense to jointly conduct a review of the mission, procedures, and administration of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense. Requires appointment of an advisory board for Program review and oversight.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel responsible for conducting aerial herbicide spray missions during the Vietnam era.

Requires the Secretaries to make specified funds available to the National Academy of Sciences in each of FY 2004 through 2013 for the Academy's Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine to conduct epidemiological research on military personnel and veterans.

Summary by Congressional Research Service.

Timeline

  1. Jul 10, 2003
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-613.
  2. Jun 18, 2003
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8134)
  3. Jun 18, 2003
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8133-8134)
  4. Jun 18, 2003
    Introduced in Senate

Cosponsors

In the News

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