New Condition Added to Vietnam Presumptive List
Vietnam veterans who have Ischaemic heart disease are eligible to apply for a War Disablement Pension.
This recent announcement by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) means there are now 15 conditions on the presumptive list for Vietnam veterans.
“In addition to the new condition, the existing condition Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia has been amended to provide further detail. It now includes Hairy Cell Leukaemia and other chronic B Cell Leukaemias,” said VANZ Manager Corporate and Commemorations Elaine Myers-Davies.
This condition is listed on the list of disabilities eligible for the payment of the ex-gratia payment under the formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the Government and representatives of Vietnam veterans, the Ex-Vietnam Services Association (EVSA) and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA).
Presumptive lists are based on medical and scientific research which indicates that if a veteran of one of the listed theatres of operations is suffering from one of the listed disabilities, it is likely that it was attributable to the veteran’s service.
“VANZ has been working hard to meet the needs of veterans and to focus on improving the delivery of services, including the accessibility to War Disablement Pensions,” said Ms Myers-Davies.
Adding these illnesses to the presumptive list will ensure automatic pension eligibility for Vietnam Veterans with medical evidence confirming that they have these conditions.