Gillibrand Reintroduces Bill for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans VA Benefits

Senators Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) and Steve Daines (R-MT) reintroduced the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. The proposed legislation would provide the ability of receive VA disability and health care benefits to thousands of Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange while fighting in the Vietnam War. Previous efforts and legislation have failed.

Agent Orange is a form of the highly toxic chemical Dioxin that was used in Vietnam to remove foliage during the Vietnam war.  There are a wide variety of known health problems caused by Agent Orange.  The VA currently only acknowledges Agent Orange exposure to veterans who were “boots on the ground” in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.  As a result, Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans who were sailors on ships offshore near Vietnam were not considered exposed to contamination by the VA.

Senator Gillebrand stated that  “Thousands of Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange are now suffering from severe health problems,” and that “The VA is continuing to deny health coverage to many of them because of an arbitrary rule that says veterans who served on boats off of Vietnam’s coast are not entitled to this coverage.”

If you are a Vietnam veteran and need assistance with a VA benefits claim for Agent Orange, we are here to help. Call Veterans Help Group at (855) 855-8992 or complete our free veterans benefits case evaluation form.