VFW National Commander William J. “Doc” Schmitz’s Complete Testimony and Q & A
1 min read
VFW National Commander William J. "Doc" Schmitz testified before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on March 4, 2020. The VFW expressed its frustration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ lack of urgency in providing benefits to individuals who suffer from conditions associated with toxic exposures, especially when there is science to back up veterans’ claims.
“It’s unacceptable that the list of conditions presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure does not include bladder cancer, Parkinson-like symptoms, hypertension, and other conditions that scientists have said are connected to military service,” said Schmitz. “The VA keeps making excuses for not acknowledging it. As a Vietnam veteran, I will not sit idle as my comrades struggle to survive without the care and compensation they deserve.”