Last year, VA added ischemic heart disease, hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B-cell leukemias, and Parkinson’s disease to the list of diseases presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. It was a long time coming for Veterans who have been debilitated by diseases they may have contracted as a result of their combat deployment. So far, over $2.2 billion has been paid to 89,000 Vietnam Vets and survivors who have filed claims.
Today, VA is recognizing many Vets who may have been exposed to Agent Orange by contact from operations on and off their Naval and Coast Guard vessels. An updated list of ships that navigated inland waterways, docked on shore, or had crewmembers sent ashore in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975 are listed alphabetically here.
If you served aboard any of those ships and have a disease linked to Agent Orange, you should file a claim immediately. You can file online through eBenefits after setting up a premium account. To get that, create a basic account instantly, and then head to your VA regional office. Make sure to bring a government-issued ID, proof of address and your DD-214.
VA recognizes the enormous sacrifices borne by our Vietnam Veterans and I hope everyone eligible take steps to receive what they rightfully deserve.
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Who do I contact to get my claim processed? I submitted over two years ago and every time I call the VA office they give me the run around. My dad died 9 years ago and had been fighting this on his death bed. I was told his survivors are now able to benefit from it but it is extremely difficult to get through. The VA is absolutely horrible.
The VA does not honor The International Organization of Medicine > IOM REPORT minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012 (yes, that’s minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012).The VA does not honor The 112th Congress Bill 2011-2012 H.R.812…Agent Orange Equity Act…that includes…more than…The Blue water Navy. The VA does not honor The 112th Congress 2011-2012 S.1629…Agent Orange Equity Act 2011…that provides compensation and health care benefits. The VA does not honor the amendment of Title 38. THE VA does not honor H.R. 3612…the CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT of December 8, 2011…read…to THE VA > Congress has the Power …to enact… this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 > The Congress shall have the Power * * * To make all laws which shall be necessary 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 Constitutional Authority of Congress does not require President Obama’s Signature. The Department(S) and Officers in the VA must be held accountable… for at least creating the most extensive form of PTSD imaginable…that US suffering Veterans can only reason that our own country was/is our worst enemy. Thank you for letting me put another LOG IN the fire place.
I have 5 by pass-s canser in my v-cords and no help from are gov or VA …..
WD Peterborough,
Sorry to hear about your father, if he blames his cancer on AO, he’s probably right. The most accurate info on AO,is a report to Dept. of VA on AO exposure, google Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr. There is a News Release from the DVA dated 11-1-2010 from Sec. Shinseki encouraging VN vets to apply. The Sec. is working hard to end the Vietnam AO mess. Now is probably his last chance to apply. The claims process takes years to get a decision.He should file as quickly as possible.
Alex,
I’ve truly enjoyed reading and complaining on vantage. Hope you don’t take all my comments seriously.I commend you for your service and taking the abuse you’ve recieved. I’m a satirist by nature, always LMAO. Keep up the good work, after this, you should consider being a satire cartoonist. Now it’s a fact the VA can’t solve every vets problems, man up,do what the military trained u to do.The VA ain’t going to hand it to U on a silver plater.Fact, The gov. doesn’t print enough money for every vet to get his “intitalments” the VA decides that. Fact, more vets have problems than not.Fact complaining to the VA gets U nowhere but more problems. Fact, complaining SHOULD reduce stress,so show Alex some respect, he volunteered that this madness. Don’t stress the DUDE out, please.
Can they be more specific;
Which ships were added to this list?
Try this: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp
Well, it’s about time. Glad I lived long enough to finally see the VA admit the truth. Kinda hard to dismiss clinical and scientific evidence, fact that Vietnam vets suffer from multiple diseases, PCT, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease,pulmonary disease, leukemia,gastrointestinal disease, phychosocial and PTSD (ALL OF WHICH I HAVE) that the odds are more likely than not, I was exposed to Agent Orange which destroyed my life and thousands of my VN comrads. Thank you for the $400, lab rat #0000 has retired, now I can go die in peace. Send me my denial letter.
Charles T. Cauthen
173rd Airborne, 4th Bat. A&E Co.
Vietnam 1969-70 Blanchfield and Kiel, I’ll never forget.
I served on the U.S.S/ Iwo Jima V-1 Division from 1965-1968. W sailed in close to land in support of the Marines from the DMZ and made the first attack on the Mekong Delta. The ship needs to be put on the list.
i would like a list of the disease that the say is brough on by agent orange, i serve from 1968 to 1969 in the 312th hosp . thanks
William Treece,
I would recommend you google Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr. and read Report to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans on the association between adverse health effects and Exposure to Agent Orange. This is the truth and what the VA knows, but will never admit. The truth costs too much.
CT Cauthen
William- Here you go. I googled “Agent Orange presumtive conditions”
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp#veterans
I lost my father over 20yrs ago from Agent Orange. I know he had a claim filed but nothing had been done before he passed. The cancer for him was in his heart. Is something being done for the thousand of us who left behind with no answers.