Press Release: 28 September 2010
Chairman Akaka posts information on committee website to help veterans and advocates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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. I urge veterans and advocates to visit the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee website to determine if evidence of ships in inland waters or service on the perimeter of Air Force bases in Thailand entitles them or someone they know to health care and benefits,” said Senator Akaka.
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 here: LINK
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 here: LINK
For a list of the conditions Vietnam veterans are presumed exposed to, please click here: LINK
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 (more information here: LINK).
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September 28, 2010
The Brown Water Navy are what the repubs had such a Great Time and Allot Of Laughs when slamming Kerry with the 'purple heart bandages' as well as slamming any Wounded Veteran who's received the Purple Heart as well as All Us 'Nam Vets Service, especially us Navy In-Country Veterans, Me and the rest of mine and Kerrys brothers!
This is total nonsense who gave the OK for the VA? who denies the claims to begin with? As long as we pretend like Aka cares we are spinning our wheels. It is election time!!!! It is election time. What happened to the calims which have been waiting for months and months ? Nothing as long as you keep printing this b/s nothing will change. Get rid of anyone who blows smoke up your ass at election time.
ReplyDeletelittle freddie, first learn how to hit those keys, or at least Spell! Second son, check the very public congressional records and see which political party obstructs, especially as to us veterans issues, and really check what has been done not only since the 110th congress, wasn't done not a lick as two more wars of choice were drum beat into the long occupations, but since the new VA Administration took over, as long as you want to blow steam up your own hole talkin elections!!!!!
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