Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act

This bill orders the Department of Veterans Affairs to start, within 120 days of enactment, a health study on how common cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) is among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. The study must use VA and national cancer registries, compare rates with U.S. residents, and break the findings down by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and where people lived at diagnosis . The VA must report results to Congress within one year after the study ends, include recommendations, and keep sending follow-up updates. The VA must also keep tracking this cancer in the VA Central Cancer Registry and share that information in those updates.

The bill also extends an existing limit on certain pension payments through December 31, 2031 (a one-month extension).

Key points:

• Who is affected: Vietnam-era veterans who served in the Vietnam theater; the VA (with help from CDC).
• What changes: A cancer prevalence study, required reports and ongoing updates, and continued tracking using VA data; a brief extension of a pension payment limit.
• When: Study must begin within 120 days of enactment; first report due within one year after the study ends; follow-up reports sent periodically; pension limit extended through 12/31/2031.