(WENY)-- Senator Chuck Schumer recently announced the Senates' Fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act included his amendment which, officially authorizes $8 billion in new benefits for veterans suffering from Agent Orange linked illnesses. 

“Agent Orange is a defoliant developed back in the 1960s. They used it extensively in Vietnam from one end of that country to the other. And it was to clear perimeters around bases so that the enemy couldn’t sneak up through the jungle and get right on top of you before you noticed it but only later did we find out it was a very dangerous carcinogen,” said Larry Sherman, President of the VVA Chapter 803 in Elmira. 

Sherman knows firsthand about being exposed to Agent Orange. He served in the Vietnam War and as a result of being exposed to this toxic substance 20 years later, he first developed bladder cancer and later prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer from Agent Orange contamination that was the only thing that was covered as far as my medical history even though prior to prostate cancer I had bladder cancer,” said Sherman.

With the passing of this bill Schumer explained nearly 240,000 veterans around New York who might be suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism will be able to access healthcare and benefits.

“Because it wasn’t on the list, they’ll fix you, they’ll make you feel better, they’ll do the surgery but you don’t get any sort of compensation for the fact that you were exposed to it. That’s what this bill gives you. It's compensation for being exposed to a hazardous waste material that can make you sick which nobody knew at the time was going to hurt anybody. They kept telling us it wasn’t harmful but it was a lie," said Sherman.

 Veterans who served in Vietnam any time between 1962-1975 and have been diagnosed with one or more of the diseases the VA recognizes is connected to their service in Vietnam may be eligible for compensation.

Sherman suggested veterans who had these diseases for years will no longer be turned down for benefits plus they will get compensated from the original date of claim.

“At this point, Vietnam veterans should visit their local VA representative and if you have any of the illnesses associated with Agent Orange you should file a claim for it,” said Sherman.

According to Sherman, the VVA in Elmira has over 200 members and at least half of them have suffered from many of the illnesses linked to Agent Orange and have been getting the short end of the stick when it comes to healthcare and benefits.

“I just had a good friend that died that had both bladder cancer and prostate cancer. I don’t understand why it took forever for the government to do this. I am happy though that Senator Schumer pushed to get this bill passed. It’s been a long time coming and veterans deserve what’s entitled to them."