H.R. 5339: Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act

This bill, known as the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act, aims to create a presumption of service connection for certain health conditions in veterans who served at the Pentagon Reservation during a specific period after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Key Provisions

• The bill proposes a **presumption of service connection** for various diseases that may manifest in veterans who were stationed at the Pentagon from September 11, 2001, to November 19, 2001. This means that these veterans will be presumed to have incurred or aggravated these diseases during their service, even if there is no evidence of the disease documented during their time of service.
• **Diseases covered** under this presumption include:
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Tracheomalacia
  • Cancer of any type
  • Cardiovascular disease of any type
  • Skin disease of any type
  • Respiratory disease of any type
  • Other illnesses as determined by the Secretary based on associations with hazardous substances or conditions
• The definition of a **"covered veteran"** includes any veteran who served in active military, naval, air, or space service and was assigned to the Pentagon during the specified period.

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to simplify the process for veterans affected by these conditions to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). By establishing a presumption, the bill seeks to alleviate the burden of proving that their illnesses are connected to their service at the Pentagon during a time when exposure to harmful substances may have occurred.

Impact on Veterans

If passed, the bill would provide critical support for veterans suffering from these health issues, ensuring they have easier access to the benefits entitled to them due to their service. It acknowledges the potential health impacts that service members might have faced during a significant historical event.

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