VA will re-adjudicate claims for Veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
This review is part of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) implementation of the November 5, 2020, U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California decision to re-adjudicate previously denied claims as applied in Nehmer vs. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA will determine if benefits can now be paid retroactively based on the Veteran’s presumption of herbicide exposure through Public Law 116-23, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which was signed into law June 25, 2019.
What is a presumptive condition?
Congress provided that a Veteran who “served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on Jan. 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975,” will be presumed to have been exposed to an herbicide agent during such service.
VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service.
Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits for these diseases. Click here for a list of presumptive conditions.
Meeting Veterans’ needs
Veterans and their families have always been VA’s top priority. VA ensures all Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and has the resources in place to meet the needs of the Veteran community.
Veterans who have a condition caused by exposure to Agent Orange during military service can learn more about herbicide exposure at this website.
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After reading these comments it breaks my heart to hear of my brothers and sister asking for help from an entity that doesnt care and will wait for you to die first. If you want help filing for benefits get in conctact with a Veterans Service Officer to get the ball rolling. Most times you can get in touch with one thru your County Government Veterans Affairs office. Please dont give up!
Isaac you are not alone I’m with you brother, between the diesel fuel and the chemicals used on boilers and the red oxides I used without proper PPE plus the gallon buckets of abestos and those already in place inside the boilers I had to pack you could literally see the dust in the air inside the boilers. Fortunately I haven’t contracted mesothelioma but have had pneumonia and unexplained nodules in my lower right lung and liver issues as well as hep c now cured. So we are in the same boat nothing recorded no record of me getting deathly sick and out of commission for two weeks aboard ship. Also injury received while training and in school prior to what I mentioned above. And not to forget the tiles of abestos I ripped up doing jobs out of my designation and replaced.
I am a Vietnam era veteran but I did not go to Vietnam! I worked with all sorts of chemicals and was stationed on two superfund sites! I have diabetes, hypdthyrodism and all sorts of presumptive diseases but the VA keep denying me! Can I get any justice for the benefis that I deserve?
I would like to file a claim for the “Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Trust Fund”
I wish to file a claim for the “Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Trust Fund”. The program ends July9, 2022 and I would like to file now before it’s to late.
I happy the VA, is. Trying to help, only one thing I disagree with, is the dates in 1980-85 The USS Midway still had. Argent Orange in the, hull of the ship, doing dry dock, we move the chemical off the ship. VA, want even look at it because of the dates!
Based upon the information provided my husband is entitled to these benefit. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Will the effective date be changed to when the veteran became disabled or the first filing date? Blue Water Navy veterans were excluded and told that they “need not apply”. The effective date should be the date of disability for BWN veterans.
It’s about time that something was done for our Veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Too many have died or are suffering from diseases caused by being there. I can’t prove it now (husband is deceased) but I felt that some of his health issues were caused by serving in Vietnam.
My late husband served 8 yrs from 1962 – 1970 in the army enlisted twice. His last served in Vietnam where he was injured in the line of duty. They only gave him 30% disability rating. After his injuries over time got denied for increase on the rating and increase on compensation.
As his widow can I refile a claim and receive retro on his surviving spouse?
Yes you can contact a VA representative at your local Veterans affairs and don’t give up if your in Ohio and get tired of the run around get hold of Bill Johnson he is a state representative in southern and south eastern Ohio. Great man got my husband’s claim put Thur in less than six months and he had been fighting 10years.
Yes my husband Roman Medina is a Vietnam Veteran between 1969-1971 He is registered for agent orange at VA clinic in El Paso he was exposed to herbicides thinking it was water and would fall from the sky and down their bodies right now my husband is in hospital out of coma where they can’t find what he has.All of his issues are related to the service I am his wife for 48 yrs He is in El Paso hospital East Providence Joe battle my phone no. He is in ICU three weeks and still can’t find what he has
My name is David P Vrotney was attached to the USS John R. Craig which operated off the coast of via nom 3 Feb 1971 To Feb 1975
Justice would only truly be served if the producers of the herbicide were personally held liable for all damages.
I refueled ships off the coast of Vietnam in 1975
How do I find out if my husband is qualified?
What if a 43 year old son of a deceased veteran who died in 9/17/2010, of Agent Orange that he contracted while serving in Vietnam, is have medical problems, will the VA take care of him too?
I was on a Classified mission in 1962:1963.
It is in my 9000 pages the Psychiatrist had.
I DO NOT SEE HOW The CIA ,CAN DENY MY “ Boots on the ground “ when it is in those 9000 pages the Phycharist had & allowed my wife to review.
Ferrell F.Adkison Sr.
How Long Will. It take to complete a veterans claim for benefits? My. Claim is eight years old
Army airborne. Claim. Is. Essisive airborne. Jumps resulting in. T. B. I
I applied and got denied, what do I do now???
Where is my RETRO FROM 2012 to 2020 served in USAF 1/29/1963 to 1/28/1967 in country April 26 1966 to Dec. 28th 1966 suffer from PTSD AND PROSTATE CANCER. My appeal Was denied I sent in letter of disagreement 3 times and was DENIED, but in June I received a letter I was granted from 30% to 50%for ptsd and from 0% to 40% from 2012 to 2016 and 40%to60% from 2016 to 2018 THEN 3 MONTHS LATER IT WAS DENIED BUT THEY GAVE ME UNEMPLOYABILITY FROM 2018 to 2020. The CHEAP WAY OUT WHY THEY WONT TELL ME
Is a vietnam veteran who is 100% t and p who was a blue water veteran eligible? He filed several times for agent orange before he died.
What about those of us who served in Korea. We were there like between 1968-69. Our tour had us travel to and from the DMZ on a regular basis. Like once week including times of military training exercises, which were for a few days to a week or so. We were exposed to agent orange but because we were permanently assigned we are not worthy of any compensation?
None of my family have had cancer but I have.
Can anyone help me to me.
Thank you,
Michael Sullivan
Between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, you must have served for any length of time in at least one of these locations:
In the Republic of Vietnam, or
Aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam, or
On a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia, or
On regular perimeter duty on the fenced-in perimeters of a U.S. Army installation in Thailand or a Royal Thai Air Force base. These bases include U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, or Don Muang.
Or at least one of these must be true. You:
Served in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971, or
Served on active duty in a regular Air Force unit location where a C-123 aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and had repeated contact with this aircraft due to your flight, ground, or medical duties, or
Were involved in transporting, testing, storing, or other uses of Agent Orange during your military service, or
Were assigned as a Reservist to certain flight, ground, or medical crew duties at one of the below locations. Rhonda Flesher, retired VETERANS CLAIMS ADJUDICATOR. request DAV to represent you.
what has taken so long,while many have suffered an bo benifits the vets were exposed though not there choosing.why does it take over 50 yrs . Now how about all the other locations where there was proven contamination an no benifitts or even reckonizing the prorblems.
I was expose to agent orange.
Do I need to refile a denied claim for Hypothyroidism?
I have Ishemic heart disease just receiving a small amt. of compensation.I also have PTSD and receive small percentage for this.
Its about time.agent orange ruined my sons (Beckers MD) and my(Parkensons)lives
HELP
My claims have been in limbo since August of 2019 and I cannot get any answers as to why. Nexus letters and fully developed claims. Unacceptable
Denied
Exposed to abestus.tetinitus and more.
Been waiting for 10 yrs they are waiting for me to die
I have filed for Blue Water and continue to check on my claim and cannot get any answers…Can u help me
TO THE INDIVIDUAL WITH A SNIDE COMMENT RE MY MESSAGE.
TALK OF MODERATION. I HAVE SUFFERED A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN THESE PAST 60 YEARS BECAUSE OF TBI. AND YOU TALK OF MODERATION…???? DOES MODERATION INCLUDE HIDING FACTS.
GO AHEAD AND THROW MY COMMENTS IN THE CIRCULAR BASKET, WHICH MUST BE FULL….
THE D.O.D. WILL RECONSIDER THEIR BLUE WATER DECISION BUT THEY STILL REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT VETERANS DURING THE KOREAN WAR ACTUALLY SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. THEIR EXCUSE STILL IS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE METHODOLOGY BACK IN THE PERIOD 1950 TO 1953.
AH YES, THESE WERE NOT EXPLOSIONS DURING WORLD WAR II OR ANY WAR BEFORE. ONCE THE DOD IS TRYING TO HIDE FACTS. LIKE FIRE PITS CLOSE TO MESS HALLS AND SO MANY OTHER EVENTS WHICH COST MANY LIVES OF OUR TROOPS.
BRAIN INJURY IS NOT JUST THE RESULT OF SPORTS OR OTHER SIMILAR EVENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ARMY TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ERRONUOS DECISIONS WHICH SO MUCH MISERY TO OUR VETERANS INCLUDING MYSELF.
PAUL T.
ARE YOU GOING TO HIDE MY MESSAGE AS WELL??????
What a crock….I have to fight the clowns every single day….I’m a Camp Lejeune contaminated water victim… and I have to constantly fight them over everything…..reduced me to 60% from 100% because my recurring bladder cancer shows improvement…
Recurring bladder cancer never shows improvement….but according to them it improves
What if you served on a ship that was in theater 30 years prior and the ship is needed deck and everything else in the herbicides were embedded onto the ships you received some of the illnesses from these herbicides does that make you eligible
I was in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969
My husband, a proud Navy Veteran who served in Viet Nam in 1968/69, died of lung cancer. He was on the USS Randolph and in country. How would this change effect any benefit? Thank you in advance for your help.
.will surviving spouse be eligible for backpay lf the veteran was exposed to agent orange and it is on the death certifacate
I was awarded the Bronze star medal for my actions as a combat lifesaver during the battle of the .73 Easting. Afterwards we provided security on the highway from Dafwan to Bagdad. We tried to provide food and water for the Iraqi Refugees they had been told by Oraqi government officials not to eat the food or drink the water because it might be poisoned. The ones that had it the worst were babies and children. The parents would not feed them from MRE’sp or even give them bottled water.
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Hi there:
Due to a physical condition I have only served for almost a year during the Viet Nam Era,but never went sent to Viet Nam,but there on my nervous condition have been worst but the VA DOESNT want to recognized it. I have being thru a lot of test,such as Ultra sound and all kind of CT SCAN AND MRI,SINCE I left the service , but up to know NOTHING.