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VA to review Vietnam vet ‘Brown Water’ disability claims

MEDIA RELEASE

Following oversight requests from Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), the Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to review the cases of nearly 17,000 “Brown Water” and other Vietnam Era veterans who claimed disabilities related to Agent Orange.

VA had previously denied a number of claims without properly determining whether veterans served in Vietnam’s inland waterways (“Brown Water”) or otherwise served in locations where veterans may have been exposed to herbicides, such as Agent Orange.

“I commend VA for responding to data showing that many Navy vessels thought to have stayed at sea actually traveled into the inland waters of Vietnam. As a result, veterans who served on these vessels are eligible for the same benefits as Vietnam veterans who served on land,” Akaka said.

Akaka successfully urged VA to reconsider cases in which claims by Vietnam veterans potentially exposed to Agent Orange were denied without obtaining relevant military records, such as deck logs.

These claims had been held in abeyance by VA while litigation was pending concerning so-called “Blue Water” veterans and their exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides, and were subsequently denied.

Akaka discovered that many of these veterans actually served in so-called “Brown Water” or inland waters of Vietnam, and should have received the same presumption of service-connection as veterans who had “boots on the ground” in Vietnam.

By law, VA presumes that veterans who served in inland waterways were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Any of those veterans who suffer from certain diseases, and their survivors, may qualify for monetary benefits and health care.

With this review, certain veterans who were previously considered “Blue Water” veterans will have their claims re-evaluated for evidence of “Brown Water” service, or evidence of service in other locations where VA acknowledges that herbicides may have been used, such as the perimeter of Air Force bases in Thailand.

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee website provides a list of the ships VA has acknowledged traveled in inland waters, as well as evidence about other ships that the committee has received.

A list of the ships identified to have traveled in Vietnam’s inland waters by VA is available at: http://veterans.senate.gov/upload/Ships_in_Vietnam.docx

Akaka’s committee staff has compiled an additional list of ships with evidence or suggestion of service in Vietnam’s inland waters. That list is available at: http://veterans.senate.gov/upload/Tracking_List_Ships.docx

For a list of the conditions Vietnam veterans are presumed exposed to, visit: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp#veterans

In addition, monetary benefits and care are provided to Vietnam veterans’ offspring with spina bifida, and to children of women veterans who served in Vietnam who have birth defects. For further information, visit: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/birth_defects.asp

One Response to “VA to review Vietnam vet ‘Brown Water’ disability claims”

  1. Please read The International Organization of Medicine > IOM REPORT minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012 (yes,minor Rev.3 Jan. 2012). The VA has been sitting on it for several months. In my opinion,THE IOM REPORT (3 Jan. 2012) is “A must READ” for all Vietnam Veterans and their OFFSPRING. Please research The 112th Congress Bills…2011-2012…AGENT ORANGE EQUITY ACT… H.R.812 to include The Blue Water Navy and more; S.1629 provides for compensation and health care; H.R.3612 amends Title 38; And,the CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT of December 8,2011… that brings it ALL TOGETHER…AND, served a severe warning to The Department of Veterans Affairs:> Congress has the Power TO ENACT this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8,Clause 18 >>> The congress shall have Power * * * To make all laws which shall be neceassary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers,and all other Powers VESTED by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. The Powers VESTED by the Constitution does not require THE VA’s Approval or President Obama’s approval/signature. It’s time “to fire” Doctor “FOOT ON GROUND” and Doctor “BOOT ON GROUND” for medical malpractice and practicing medicine that does not conform to The International Organization of Medicine IOM REPORT 3 Jan. 2012; And,remember, The Department of Veterans Affairs…willfully defied… THE LEGISLATION..by Congress.

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