NATION : Agent Orange Disability Pay Gains

WASHINGTON — The Senate approved legislation today that would give disability pay to Vietnam War veterans exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange if they suffer from non-Hodgkins lymphoma and soft-tissue sarcoma, both cancers.

The Senate approved the bill by voice vote after defeating a move to kill it, 92 to 8. The legislation was sent to the House, which last year refused to grant disability pay for victims of the two cancers. The bill provides for disability payments for those veterans suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma and soft-tissue sarcoma from Oct. 1, 1989, until April 15, 1992, after which an extension could be voted. The rate of payment would be the same as for other service-connected disabilities.