LVMAC Tidbit: Updated Eligibility Requirements for Blue Water Navy Claims

“The Department of Veterans Affairs will soon mail letters to Blue Water Navy veterans and survivors who were previously denied benefits. The letters provide updated eligibility requirements approved in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the paperwork required of a veteran or survivor, and available resources to assist in the claims process. The law says that veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam from 1962-1975 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful herbicides. Exposure to these herbicides have been linked to a list of several harmful medical conditions:

• AL amyloidosis
• Chloracne or similar acneform disease
• Chronic B-cell leukemias
• Diabetes mellitus Type 2
• Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease
• Ischemic heart disease
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy, early-onset
• Porphyria cutanea tarda
• Prostate cancer
• Respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx or trachea)
• Soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma or mesothelioma).

“The Veterans Benefits Administration has confirmed payments will begin being processed on Jan. 1, 2020. The following links below provide detailed information for Blue Water Navy veterans and their survivors, including instructions to submit or resubmit a claim.

• https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/navy-coast-guard-ships-vietnam
• Fact sheet: Blue Water Navy Veterans and Agent Orange (PDF)
• Frequently asked questions: Blue Water Navy Veterans and disability benefits (PDF)

“VA is prioritizing claims for people who are homeless, terminally ill, over the age of 85, or in a dire financial situation. If this pertains to you or someone you know, be sure to notify the veterans service office you are working with or, as always reach out to The Enlisted Association (TREA) for assistance.”

Source:  TREA Washington Update.  November 1, 2019 < http://blog.trea.org/blog/?40207/washington-update-for-11-1-2019 >

[Editor’s Note:  We recommend you see an accredited veterans service officer and not directly apply yourself.  Also remember this benefit applies to survivors of those who unfortunately passed away prior to implementation of the court order and enactment of the new law.  And, apply or reapply now.  There will be a queue considering the length of this hard fought battle to get the VA to acknowledge its responsibilities to those who served in the Blue Water Navy of the time.]

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As of 16 November 2019