Vietnam’s Inland Waterways - Questions and Answers

http://veterans.senate.gov/issues-benefits.cfm

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – 1 JUNE 2011
U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs • 412 Russell Senate Bldg. • Washington D.C. 20510 (202) 224-9126 • Republican Staff: (202) 224-2074

Vietnam’s Inland Waterways

Question: I served with the Navy in Vietnam and my ship was in Vietnam’s inland waterways. Am I eligible for compensation for a disability related to herbicide exposure?

Answer: If you served on a ship that operated primarily in inland waterways between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, you have service that involved “duty” in Vietnam.
VA includes all vessels with the designations LCM (landing craft, mechanized), LCVP (landing craft, vehicle, personnel), LST (landing ship, tank), PBR (patrol boat, river), PCF (patrol craft, fast or swift boat), and all vessels referred to as part of the “Mobile Riverine Force” in military records as ships which served in inland waters. VA has a list of other ships which served in inland waters.
view List of Eligible Ships

Question: I served with the Navy in Vietnam and my ship went into inland waterways on occasion. Can I get benefits for a disability related to herbicide exposure?

Answer: If you served on a ship that operated temporarily in inland waterways at some point between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, you have service that involved “temporary duty” in Vietnam. VA has a list of ships that they have been verified as operating temporarily in Vietnam’s inland waterways.

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