Pentagon 9/11 veterans would get automatic VA illness coverage under new bill

What does this do?

HR 5339 would establish a presumption of service connection for veterans stationed at the Pentagon Reservation between September 11 and November 19, 2001. That presumption means the VA would automatically treat covered illnesses as linked to Pentagon service, removing the requirement that veterans individually prove the connection. Covered illnesses include asthma, emphysema, COPD, any cancer, any cardiovascular disease, any skin disease, and any respiratory disease.

Who does it affect?

The bill applies to military veterans who were actively stationed at the Pentagon Reservation during that roughly ten-week window following the September 11, 2001 attack. It does not apply to veterans stationed there outside that specific period.

Why does it matter?

When the Pentagon was struck on September 11, 2001, fire, collapse, toxic smoke, jet fuel fumes, and other hazardous materials were released into the air, potentially exposing service members who remained at the site in the weeks afterward. Under current VA rules, veterans must produce records proving their illness was directly caused by their service, a process the bill identifies as difficult and time-consuming.

Where does it stand?