Did you serve in the offshore waters of the Republic of
Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975? If so, then you’re considered a
Blue Water Navy (BWN) Veteran.
On Jan. 1, 2020, the Blue Water Navy Act of 2019 goes into
effect. This Act was signed into law on Jun. 25, and extends the presumption of
herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange, to BWN Veterans who served as far as
12 nautical miles from the shore of Vietnam and have since developed one of 14
conditions related to exposure. Some of these conditions include Type 2
diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, many forms of cancer and others.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to work with
an accredited claims representative or Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office to
understand eligibility requirements before filing a claim. You don’t need to
prove contact with herbicides to be eligible.
How do I file a claim for compensation benefits?
You can file an initial claim (that has not been previously
decided by VA), by submitting Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability
Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. CLICK HERE to initiate your new
claim.
You can also contact an accredited Veterans Service
Organization (VSO) to assist you with your application. To access a list of
VA-approved VSOs, CLICK HERE. You may also contact your state’s Veterans agency
should you need additional assistance with the application process.
What if I’ve previously filed a claim that was denied?
VA will be using the new law to automatically review claims
that are currently with the VA review process or under appeal. However, if you
had an herbicide exposure claim with one or more presumptive conditions denied
in the past, you are urged to file a new claim.
When you begin the claims process, be sure to provide or
identify any new and relevant information regarding your claim, such as the
dates the vessel you were serving on traveled through the offshore waters of
the Republic of Vietnam or updated medical information.
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