Hi Jim,
My fiance is a Vietnam vet. He is suffering from the effects of Agent Orange and has diabetes as a result. He served in the navy on the Kittyhawk. He had applied for Agent Orange benefits years ago and was assured he qualified. He tells me that under George Bush legislation was passed to disqualify him because he did not serve on the ground but in a waterway. Can you tell me anything about this?
Reply:
Vietnam veterans are approved for diseases that are thought to be caused by agent orange exposure. Adult onset diabetes is one such disease.
However, to be eligible, the veteran must have set his boots on the ground of the RVN. Members of the Navy who served off the coast are referred to as "Blue Water" veterans. For the most part, they are not eligible to receive the benefits of the same type that veterans who had boots on the ground service are.
Some ships are approved. The list of those ships may be found here http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp If his ship is not on the approved list, he is not eligible for the service connected disability benefits.
To most of us, this doesn't make any sense. We know that sailors who served aboard these ships were often exposed to agent orange as it was sprayed from airplanes and drifted off shore. However, this has been an issue that has been addressed by the highest courts in the land and the line is drawn...if the veteran didn't serve with boots on the ground, it's unlikely he's eligible for benefits.
That he has a Vietnam service medal doesn't make any difference. Almost everyone who served during the Vietnam war and who served anywhere near Vietnam got the VSN. The receipt of that medal has no effect on service connection for these benefits.
I wish I had better news...I'm afraid that's how it is though.