Retired Air Force reserve tech Sgt. Ed Kienle, 73, holds a
picture of himself, left, and fellow reservists during an
interview at his home, Thursday, June 11, 2015, in
Wilmington, Ohio. The government on Thursday, June 18, 2015,
agreed that U.S. Air Force reservists who became ill after
being exposed to Agent Orange residue while working on
planes after the Vietnam War will now be eligible for
disability benefits. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Washington • Ending years of wait,
the government agreed Thursday to provide disability
benefits to as many as 2,100 Air Force reservists and
active-duty forces exposed to Agent Orange residue on
airplanes used in the Vietnam War.
The new federal rule, approved by
the White House Office of Management and Budget, takes
effect Friday. It adds to an Agent Orange-related caseload
that already makes up 1 out of 6 disability checks issued by
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The expected cost over 10 years is
$47.5 million, with separate health care coverage adding to
the price tag.
"Opening up eligibility for this
deserving group of Air Force veterans and reservists is the
right thing to do," VA Secretary Bob McDonald said in a
statement. His office held a series of private meetings with
veterans' organizations and lawmakers Thursday to discuss
ways to expedite the delivery of benefits, including to
surviving spouses.