TOP’S CORNER
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is processing Agent Orange exposure claims for “Blue Water Navy” Veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
Blue Water Navy Veterans are encouraged to submit disability compensation claims for conditions presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. Veterans over age 85 or with life-threatening illnesses will have priority in claims processing.
Veterans who previously were denied for an Agent Orange related presumptive condition can file a new claim based on the change in law. Eligible survivors of deceased Blue Water Navy Veterans also may benefit from the new law and may file claims for benefits based on the Veterans’ service.
The new law affects Veterans who served on a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia, as defined in Public Law 116-23. An estimated 420,000 to 560,000 Vietnam-era Veterans may be considered Blue Water Navy Veterans.
To qualify under the new law, these Veterans must have a disease associated with herbicide exposure.
Agent Orange presumptive conditions are:
•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).
For more information about Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam waters (Blue Water Navy Veterans), visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardousmaterials- exposure/agent-orange/navy-coast-guardships- vietnam/.
If you are a Vietnam Blue Water Navy veteran or a surviving dependent, you should contact your County Veterna Service Office as soon as you can about reviewing your status. If you have already filed for presumptive conditions in the past and been denied you should refile your claim. If your claim is active or in appeal status, don’t do anything, it will be adjudicated according to the new law. Give the Taylor County Veteran Service Office a call for an appointment at 715-748-1488.
— Jeffrey J. Hein, MSG, USA, Retired, Taylor County Veteran Service Officer
