On August 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ordered VA to issue final regulations within 30 days adding ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and B-cell leukemias to the list of disabilities presumptively caused by Agent Orange exposure. The court issued a writ of mandamus directing this action based on a petition filed by four veterans organizations, led by Paralyzed Veterans of America, after VA refused to issue the regulations by the June 23 statutory deadline. VA had claimed that the need for review of the regulations by the Office of Management and Budget trumped the statutory deadline. See the court’s order here: http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/images/stories/opinions-orders/2010-m949.8-2-10.1.pdf
