Federal Circuit Orders VA to Publish Agent Orange Presumptive Rules

Full Article at: VA Sec Shinseki and Agent Orange Advocates Get Win on Expanded Agent Orange-related Illnesses, Obtain Court Order to Publish Agent Orange Presumptives Rule by Monday, July 19

July 18, 2010 posted by Michael Leon

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

- Victory for VA Secretary Shinseki and Agent Orange Victim Advocates -

The top administrative law court overseeing the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered VA Secretary Shinseki to publish the new Agent Orange Presumptives rule which expands the range of ailments attributed by the VA to Agent Orange exposure.

The judicial order by the D.C.-based appellate court, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, is dated July 15, 2010 and is issued in response to a writ of mandmumus (a court-ordered directive to a public body like the VA or lower court) petition (No. 949) by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and other parties.

The order is a victory for Agent Orange advocates and for Shinseki hailed as “championing funds to assist Veterans and their families affected by Agent Orange.”

The order for the publication of the rules comes weeks after the efforts of Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virgina) to delay the implementation of the new rules, an enterprise which drew the wrath of veterans around the country, and which drew the petition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.