Presumption of Exposure to Herbicides for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Not Supported, 76170-76171 [2012-30909]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
76170
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 26, 2012 / Notices
schools; $10,000 for students training at
flight schools; and $8,500 for students
training at correspondence schools.
Additionally, the entitlement charge for
individuals in receipt of reimbursement
for taking a licensing, certification, or
national test was one month (rounded to
the nearest whole month) for each
$1,460.00 received.
Sections 3313, 3315, and 3315A of
title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.),
direct VA to increase the maximum
tuition and fee and entitlement charge
amounts each academic year (beginning
August 1) based on the most recent
increase determined under title 38
U.S.C. 3015(h). Increases determined
under 38 U.S.C. 3015(h) are effective
October 1 of each calendar year. As
such, the increase determined under 38
U.S.C. 3015(h), which was effective
October 1 of the previous calendar year,
will be the most recent increase in rates
at the beginning of each academic year.
2012–2013 Academic Year Maximum
Tuition and Fee Amounts
As of August 1, 2012 (beginning of the
2012–2013 academic year), the most
recent increase determined under 38
U.S.C. 3015(h) was a 3.3 percent
increase, which was effective October 1,
2011. VA calculated the maximum
tuition and fee and entitlement charge
amounts listed below for training
pursued under the Post-9/11 GI Bill that
begins after July 31, 2012, and before
August 1, 2013, using the 3.3 percent
increase.
2013–2014 ACADEMIC YEAR
Type of school
Actual net cost of
tuition and fees not to
exceed
Post-9/11 GI Bill Maximum Tuition and Fee
Amounts
Public .........................
In-State/Resident
Charges.
Private/Foreign .......... $19,198.31.
Vocational Flight ........ $10,970.46.
Correspondence ........ $9,324.89.
Post 9/11 Entitlement Charge Amount for
Tests
Licensing and Certification Tests.
VA will charge one
month entitlement
(rounded to the
nearest whole
month) for each
$1,601.69 received.
National Tests ...........
Dated: December 18, 2012.
By Direction of the Secretary.
Approved: December 18, 2012.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012–30945 Filed 12–21–12; 8:45 am]
Actual net cost of tuition and fees not to
exceed
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Post-9/11 GI Bill Maximum Tuition and Fee
Amounts
National Academic Affiliations Council,
Notice of Meeting
Public .........................
The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) gives notice under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.
2, that a meeting of the National
Academic Affiliations Council (NAAC)
will be held on January 10–11, 2013, in
the Office of Academic Affiliations
Conference Room 870, 1800 G Street
NW., Washington, DC. The sessions will
begin at 8:00 a.m. each day and adjourn
at 5:00 p.m. on January 10 and at 1:00
p.m. on January 11.
The purpose of the Council is to
advise the Secretary on matters affecting
partnerships between VA and its
academic affiliates.
On January 10, the Council will
review the status of recommendations
from its previous meetings; receive a
report from the NAAC Joint Venture
Task Force; hear from Veterans Health
Private/Foreign ..........
Vocational Flight ........
Correspondence ........
In-State/Resident
Charges.
$18,077.50.
$10,330.00.
$8,780.50.
Post 9/11 Entitlement Charge Amount for
Tests
Licensing and Certification Tests.
VA will charge one
month entitlement
(rounded to the
nearest whole
month) for each
$1,508.18 received.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
National Tests ...........
2013–2014 Academic Year Maximum
Tuition and Fee Amounts
As of August 1, 2013 (beginning of the
2013–2014 academic year), the 6.2
VerDate Mar<15>2010
06:31 Dec 22, 2012
Jkt 229001
Administration (VHA) officials; and
engage in discussions about mental
health service enhancements and
implications for mental health
education. On January 11, the Council
will hear from officials of the VHA
Office of Research and Development
and continue its discussion of
opportunities and challenges in
academic affiliation relationships. The
Council will receive public comments at
12:30 p.m.
A sign-in sheet for those who want to
give comments will be available at the
meeting. Individuals who speak are
invited to submit a 1–2 page summary
of their comments at the time of the
meeting for inclusion in the official
meeting record. Oral presentations will
be limited to five minutes or less,
depending on the number of
participants. Interested parties may also
provide written comments for review by
the Council to Gloria J. Holland, Ph.D.,
Special Assistant for Policy and
Planning, Office of Academic
Affiliations (10A2D), VA, 810 Vermont
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or
by email to Gloria.Holland@va.gov. Any
member of the public wishing to attend
or seeking additional information
should contact Dr. Holland by email or
by phone at (202) 461–9490.
Vivian Drake,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–30864 Filed 12–21–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
2012–2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
Type of school
percent increase determined under 38
U.S.C. 3015(h), which was effective
October 1, 2012, will be the most recent
increase. VA calculated the maximum
tuition and fee and entitlement charge
amounts listed below for training
pursued under the Post-9/11 GI Bill that
begins after July 31, 2013, and before
August 1, 2014, using the 6.2 percent
increase.
PO 00000
Frm 00203
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Presumption of Exposure to
Herbicides for Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans Not Supported
ACTION:
Notice.
On May 20, 2011, at the
request of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), the Institute of Medicine
(IOM) of the National Academy of
Sciences issued a report titled, ‘‘Blue
Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and
Agent Orange Exposure.’’ The IOM
reviewed a wide range of data sources
including peer-reviewed literature,
exposure and transport modeling,
interviews with veterans, ship deck
logs, and other government documents,
and concluded that there is insufficient
evidence to determine whether Blue
Water Navy Veterans were exposed to
Agent Orange-associated herbicides
during the Vietnam War. After careful
review of the IOM report, the Secretary
determines that the evidence available
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM
26DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 26, 2012 / Notices
at this time does not support
establishing a presumption of exposure
to herbicides for Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans. VA will continue to
accept and review all Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veteran claims based on
herbicide exposure on a case-by-case
basis.
Dr.
Terry Walters, Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20420, telephone (202)
461–1020. (This is not a toll-free
number.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
During the
Vietnam War, the U.S. military used
various tactical herbicides as defoliants
to help military personnel identify
enemy transportation and
communication routes and camps,
reduce cover for enemy forces, and kill
crops that might be used by the enemy.
The best known and most widely used
herbicide was Agent Orange. Agent
Orange was contaminated with the
highly toxic chemical 2, 3, 7, 8Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD).
Numerous adverse health effects in
veterans who served in Vietnam have
been attributed to exposure to Agent
Orange. The Agent Orange Act of 1991,
Public Law 102–4, 105 Stat. 11,
established a presumption of herbicide
exposure for veterans who had served in
Vietnam and who developed a disease
associated with Agent Orange exposure.
The presumption applies to those who
served in the Republic of Vietnam on
the ground (ground troops) or on its
inland waterways (Brown Water Navy
Veterans). Veterans who served in deepwater naval vessels off the coast of
Vietnam during the Vietnam War are
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
06:31 Dec 22, 2012
Jkt 229001
referred to as Blue Water Navy Veterans.
Claims filed by veterans who served on
only Blue Water Navy vessels based on
herbicide exposure are accepted and
reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
On May 20, 2011, the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) of the National
Academy of Sciences issued a report
titled, ‘‘Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure.’’
The report was issued and the
underlying study was conducted at the
request of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) and neither was required
by law. VA requested the study in
response to veteran concerns and the
recommendations in the IOM report
‘‘Veterans and Agent Orange: Update
2008.’’ VA tasked the IOM with
establishing a committee to determine
whether Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans experienced exposures to
herbicides and their contaminants
(focusing on dioxin) comparable to
those of ground troops and Brown Water
Navy Vietnam Veterans.
For the study, the IOM reviewed a
wide range of data sources including
peer-reviewed literature, exposure and
transport modeling, interviews with
veterans, ship deck logs, and other
government documents. After reviewing
and analyzing available data, the IOM
concluded that ground troops and
Brown Water Navy Veterans had
qualitatively more pathways of exposure
to Agent Orange-associated TCDD than
did Blue Water Navy Veterans. The IOM
found that a paucity of scientific data
concerning potential exposures for Blue
Water Navy Veterans made it impossible
to determine whether these veterans
were exposed to Agent Orangeassociated TCDD and, therefore, that
PO 00000
Frm 00204
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
76171
exposure of Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans to Agent Orange-associated
TCDD cannot be reasonably determined.
After careful review of the IOM
report, ‘‘Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure,’’
the Secretary has determined that the
evidence available at this time does not
support establishing a presumption of
exposure to herbicides for Blue Water
Navy Vietnam Veterans. VA will
continue to accept and review all Blue
Water Navy Vietnam Veteran claims
based on herbicide exposure on a caseby-case basis. The Secretary’s
determination not to establish a
presumption of exposure does not in
any way preclude VA from granting
service connection on a case-by-case
basis for diseases and conditions
associated with Agent Orange exposure,
nor does it change any existing rights or
procedures.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
designee, approved this document and
authorized the undersigned to sign and
submit the document to the Office of the
Federal Register for publication
electronically as an official document of
the Department of Veterans Affairs. John
R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department
of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on December 19, 2012, for
publication.
Dated: December 19, 2012.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director, Office of Regulation Policy and
Management, Office of the General Counsel,
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012–30909 Filed 12–21–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM
26DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76170-76171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30909]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Presumption of Exposure to Herbicides for Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans Not Supported
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On May 20, 2011, at the request of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy
of Sciences issued a report titled, ``Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans
and Agent Orange Exposure.'' The IOM reviewed a wide range of data
sources including peer-reviewed literature, exposure and transport
modeling, interviews with veterans, ship deck logs, and other
government documents, and concluded that there is insufficient evidence
to determine whether Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to Agent
Orange-associated herbicides during the Vietnam War. After careful
review of the IOM report, the Secretary determines that the evidence
available
[[Page 76171]]
at this time does not support establishing a presumption of exposure to
herbicides for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans. VA will continue to
accept and review all Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veteran claims based on
herbicide exposure on a case-by-case basis.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Terry Walters, Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20420, telephone
(202) 461-1020. (This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military
used various tactical herbicides as defoliants to help military
personnel identify enemy transportation and communication routes and
camps, reduce cover for enemy forces, and kill crops that might be used
by the enemy. The best known and most widely used herbicide was Agent
Orange. Agent Orange was contaminated with the highly toxic chemical 2,
3, 7, 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD). Numerous adverse health
effects in veterans who served in Vietnam have been attributed to
exposure to Agent Orange. The Agent Orange Act of 1991, Public Law 102-
4, 105 Stat. 11, established a presumption of herbicide exposure for
veterans who had served in Vietnam and who developed a disease
associated with Agent Orange exposure. The presumption applies to those
who served in the Republic of Vietnam on the ground (ground troops) or
on its inland waterways (Brown Water Navy Veterans). Veterans who
served in deep-water naval vessels off the coast of Vietnam during the
Vietnam War are referred to as Blue Water Navy Veterans. Claims filed
by veterans who served on only Blue Water Navy vessels based on
herbicide exposure are accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
On May 20, 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National
Academy of Sciences issued a report titled, ``Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure.'' The report was issued and the
underlying study was conducted at the request of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) and neither was required by law. VA requested the
study in response to veteran concerns and the recommendations in the
IOM report ``Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008.'' VA tasked the
IOM with establishing a committee to determine whether Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans experienced exposures to herbicides and their
contaminants (focusing on dioxin) comparable to those of ground troops
and Brown Water Navy Vietnam Veterans.
For the study, the IOM reviewed a wide range of data sources
including peer-reviewed literature, exposure and transport modeling,
interviews with veterans, ship deck logs, and other government
documents. After reviewing and analyzing available data, the IOM
concluded that ground troops and Brown Water Navy Veterans had
qualitatively more pathways of exposure to Agent Orange-associated TCDD
than did Blue Water Navy Veterans. The IOM found that a paucity of
scientific data concerning potential exposures for Blue Water Navy
Veterans made it impossible to determine whether these veterans were
exposed to Agent Orange-associated TCDD and, therefore, that exposure
of Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans to Agent Orange-associated TCDD
cannot be reasonably determined.
After careful review of the IOM report, ``Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure,'' the Secretary has determined that
the evidence available at this time does not support establishing a
presumption of exposure to herbicides for Blue Water Navy Vietnam
Veterans. VA will continue to accept and review all Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veteran claims based on herbicide exposure on a case-by-case
basis. The Secretary's determination not to establish a presumption of
exposure does not in any way preclude VA from granting service
connection on a case-by-case basis for diseases and conditions
associated with Agent Orange exposure, nor does it change any existing
rights or procedures.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R.
Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on December 19, 2012, for publication.
Dated: December 19, 2012.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-30909 Filed 12-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
