Commissioner Diaz calls for extending VA benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand

MIAMI-DADE – The Miami-Dade County Commission on July 10 approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz urging Congress to extend VA benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

Many U.S. service members developed lifelong illness from exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Southeast Asia between 1962 and 1975. While those serving in Vietnam qualified for VA disability benefits, many who served in Thailand during the war did not. Pending federal legislation would address that discrepancy.

“We have an obligation to all our veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange to make sure they receive the treatment they deserve, regardless of where they may have been serving,” Commissioner Diaz said.