According to the VA budget documents, there are approximately 5.5 million veterans and survivors who will receive disability compensation or benefits in 2018; that’s about 180,000 more than there were in 2017 even though the administration’s budget proposal includes less budgeted for veterans disability benefits than fiscal year 2017.
The budget also proposes that compensation for unemployable veterans be cut off at age 62, which would take away more than $1,000 per month from many of the most seriously disabled veterans. In other words, if a 60 percent disabled veteran living alone is removed from the Individual Unemployability program; their monthly payment could decrease from $2,915 to $1,062
Veterans have to prove that exposure to toxic chemicals is responsible for making them sick. As with any veteran disability claim, establishing that service connection is critical. Up until now, the burden of proof has been on veterans. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis recently introduced legislation that would change this. The Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act of 2020 would shift the burden of proof to the VA. It would have to provide overwhelming evidence that toxic exposure didn’t sicken the veteran.
The military has long denied or shifted blame for exposing veterans to toxic chemicals and making them sick. In the past, the military has claimed more research was needed to determine if they are responsible. A burn pit registry was also established. However, the government refused to acknowledge that veterans were becoming ill due to their service.