Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Representative Subramanyam
In Committee
Summary
Creates a presumption that certain illnesses linked to toxic exposure at the Pentagon Reservation are service-connected for VA disability benefits. It applies to veterans who performed active service while assigned to the Pentagon Reservation from September 11, 2001 through November 19, 2001 and allows the VA Secretary to add other conditions based on a positive association with listed toxins.
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- Covered veterans: A disease specified in the law is treated as having been "incurred in or aggravated during active ... service" for purposes of 38 U.S.C. 1110 and is subject to 38 U.S.C. 1113.
- Who qualifies: A "covered veteran" means any veteran who, during the period beginning on September 11, 2001 and ending on November 19, 2001, performed active service while assigned to a duty station at the Pentagon Reservation. "Pentagon Reservation" uses the meaning in 10 U.S.C. 2674.
- Which conditions: The list includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, tracheomalacia, cancer of any type, cardiovascular disease, skin disease, respiratory disease, and any other illness the Secretary determines is positively associated with a substance, chemical, or airborne hazard identified under 38 U.S.C. 1119(b)(2).
- Statutory change: The bill adds a new 38 U.S.C. 1120A to Subchapter II and updates the chapter table of sections to reflect the new presumption.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier VA benefits for Pentagon 9/11 veterans
If enacted, some Pentagon 9/11 veterans would get a presumption for VA disability claims. It would apply to veterans who were on active duty at the Pentagon Reservation from September 11, 2001 to November 19, 2001. Asthma, COPD, emphysema, tracheomalacia, any cancer, any heart disease, any skin disease, or other respiratory diseases would be presumed service-connected. You could qualify even without a service medical record; VA’s existing rebuttal rules would still apply. The VA Secretary could add more illnesses linked to listed toxins or airborne hazards.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Subramanyam
VA • D
Cosponsors
Beyer
VA • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Walkinshaw
VA • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Neguse
CO • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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