110,000 Carrier Sailors 'Left Behind'
There has lately been a lot of press coverage for the Blue
Water Navy Vietnam veterans who did not step foot on the solid ground of
Mainland Vietnam or any of its many surrounding islands. This matter concerns
their VA Benefit eligibility for presumptive exposure to herbicides (Agent
Orange) in Vietnam while serving aboard ships offshore in a variety of direct
combat and combat support roles. They recently won a landmark court ruling and
have had legislation (that had been kicked around the Legislature since 2007)
finally passed and signed into law by the President. They now face an
unreasonable and possibly illegal delay of their Benefit awards imposed by the
VA.
Anyone reading through the current information would think
that all the Blue Water Navy sailors who served in the Theater of Combat
offshore Vietnam have received their long-awaited Benefits. But that would be
incorrect and no one is providing detailed information about which veterans are
eligible for these Benefits and which are not. And many are still unaware that
there was ever a question concerning their Benefits at all. The sailors who
have recently won their presumption of exposure to Agent Orange are only those
who served within a narrow band of water called the Territorial Seas of
Vietnam, and then only when south of the 17th parallel. The fact is, this new
law excludes many sailors who served on aircraft carriers. That might well be a
significant number of Blue Water Navy sailors who served in the Vietnam Theater
of Combat who should be eligible for these Benefits.
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