Update for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans
Did you serve in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975? If so, you may be affected by the Blue Water Navy (BWN) Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. As of January 1, 2020, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits related to the presumption of Agent Orange exposure.
Veterans who served up to 12 nautical miles from the shore of Vietnam or served in the Korean Demilitarized Zone may be eligible for VA disability benefits. The VA has also expanded benefits to children with spina bifida who have at least one BWN parent who was potentially exposed to Agent Orange.
Presumptive Conditions
Under the presumption of Agent Orange exposure, you may be eligible for benefits if you experience any of these 14 conditions accepted by the VA.
These conditions are believed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure:
- Parkinson’s disease
- AL amyloidosis
- Chloracne
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- Ischemic heart disease
- Peripheral neuropathy, early-onset
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Prostate cancer
- Respiratory cancers (including lung cancer)
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Chronic B-cell leukemia
- Soft tissue sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
Having a presumptive condition means that the Department of Veterans Affairs presumes that a condition from the above list is connected to your military service. In this case, the VA would presume that your condition is caused by military exposure to Agent Orange.
To learn more, check out our blog post on what constitutes as a presumptive condition.
Agent Orange Exposure
During the Vietnam War, the United States sprayed a herbicide called Agent Orange to destroy agriculture and forest cover in Vietnam and Korea. Agent Orange contains small amounts of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which is thought to cause cancer and other serious illnesses.
Who Can Help
If you fall into the group of veterans who were potentially exposed to Agent Orange, you may be eligible for compensation. Your first step is to request a free case evaluation with one of our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI. Our legal team would be more than happy to look over your case and help you receive the benefits you deserve.
It’s important that you hire an attorney with the right experience. For example, our accredited VA attorneys have extensive experience in serving veterans. They’re also extremely knowledgeable about the most recent changes to VA law that may affect your case. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re consulting an expert rather than an attorney with limited experience working with veterans.
We offer specialized knowledge and years of experience for every veteran who contacts our law firm. Call the VA Disability Group today to learn how to get started with filing your claim.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
Our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI, are dedicated to helping veterans and their families. To request a free case evaluation, call the VA Disability Group at (844) VET-LAWS. Our legal team would be more than happy to work with you to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
