Coast Guard 82 foot WPB and Navy Swift Boat on River in Vietnam
Some good news for those that may have been exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War while serving in coastal waters.
Stars and Stripes reports that a court decision issued today, 29 Jan., 2019, has reversed an earlier decision and determined that those that served afloat in the territorial waters of the Republic of (South) Vietnam are entitled to a presumption that they were exposed to Agent Orange.
It is still possible the government may appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.
It is about time.
I served in-country part of Operation Game Warden. Our PBRs were out on the rivers where Agent Orange was used. I cannot see how that chemical got OFFSHORE in any concentration at all? Why should gassing be “presumed”?
“those that served afloat in the territorial waters of the Republic of (South) Vietnam are entitled to a presumption that they were exposed to Agent Orange. It is still possible the government may appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.”
I am a vets assn President. We get bogus requests to support unknown service members in their attempts to claim a medical issue from Agent Orange.
Law signed providing that “Blue Water” Vietnam War vets are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/06/26/benefits-for-blue-water-veterans-finalized-after-years-long-fight/ Note, There may still be some groups vets not covered.
More info on determining eligibility. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/01/07/new-interactive-map-helps-blue-water-vietnam-veterans-locate-ship-positions/
Still working on getting Agent Orange coverage. https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/advocates-begin-final-push-to-get-benefits-for-vietnam-war-veterans-1.642017