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How health care, disability benefits for veterans became fight in Congress

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WASHINGTON - A bill that would enhance health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits hit a snag in the Senate last week, angering advocates like comedian Jon Stewart who say help from the government is long overdue.Lawmakers have been hearing increasingly from constituents with respiratory illnesses and cancers that they attribute to serving near burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The military used the pits to dispose of such things as chemicals, cans, tires, plastics and medical and human waste.Veteran groups say service members who were exposed to the pits have waited long enough for enhanced health benefits, and lawmakers largely agree.

The Senate is ultimately expected to send the measure to President Joe Biden's desk. It's just a question of when.Where the issue stands:First, veterans who served near burn pits will get 10 years of health care coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs upon their separation from the military rather than five.Second, the legislation directs the VA to presume that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers were related to burn pit exposure.

This takes the burden of proof off the veteran, allowing them to obtain disability payments to compensate for their injury without having to show the illness was a result of their service.Roughly 70% of disability claims related to burn pit exposure are denied by the VA due to lack of evidence, scientific data and information from the Defense Department.Yes.

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