Navy veterans fight for return of Agent Orange-exposure benefits

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Nearly half of the surviving 100,000 members of the United States Navy and fleet marine services who fought in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 could be experiencing wartime injuries from the long term effects of dioxin exposure.
On Aug. 2, 2013, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association and Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc. jointly filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Eric K. Shinseki in his capacity as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This lawsuit demands immediate restoration of presumption of Agent Orange exposure. The law would constitute implementation of HR 543 pending before the 113th Congress.
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013, HR 543, was introduced to the House hloor by Rep.Chris Gibson, D.-N.Y. This legislation will return the presumption of exposure to herbicide to Navy and Marine veterans who served in the offshore water of Vietnam.
These conditions include, but are not limited to, many forms of cancer, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease and diabetes II.
Approximately 21 million gallons of the dioxin herbicide was sprayed on Vietnam. It entered the food chain and water systems. Dairy products produced in Vietnam serviced the offshore carriers. The distillation process of the carriers amplified the toxin the crews drank and showered in.

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