Thanks to the Veterans Benefits Blog for dogging this intractable issue that is taking the lives of our veterans to this day. Forty years we have been fighting for full disclosure. I feel so sad for the families who lost love ones prior to the truth being told. One wonders how long this information has been known. I too experience the symptoms of Agent Orange, but praise be, it was discovered early enough to ameliorate some of the conditions. It is still difficult for me to allow into my consciousness that I was sprayed with chemicals by my own country. Desert Storm soldiers are just now being accepted for chemical exposure. And then Iraq of course, with Depleted Uranium et al. Is is possible that the WMD is in the dust?
Be sure to rent a real sleeper movie, starring the late John Ritter. It is titled, “Un-Natural Causes.” 1986. It is the true story about the history of the VA’s struggle with accepting the effects of AO, and the saga of one Maude DeVictor who was a benefits counselor at Hines Hospital in Chicago.
Just think, we are still treating sailors who were exposed to asbestos during WWll!
VA Creates List of Ships for Vietnam Agent Orange Presumed Exposure
by Audrey Beebe on September 7, 2011
Vietnam veterans who served on ships have been asking for decades for medical benefits due to exposure to Agent Orange. Until now, most of these veterans were not considered under the presumed exposure idea which covers the majority of Vietnam veterans who served on land.
The VA has listened. There is still a list of criteria that has to be met, and of course proof of service must be shown. There are several groups of ships and boats that are on this list.
The first, is a set of two categories: Mobile Riverine Force and Inshore Fire Support (ISF) Division 93. Both of these two groups are on the list.
The second, is a list of boat/ship designators:
- LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized)
- LCU (Landing Craft, Utility)
- LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel)
- LST (Landing Ship, Tank)
- PBR (Patrol Boat, River)
- PCF (Patrol Craft, Fast or Swift Boat)
- PG (Patrol Gunboat)
- WAK (Cargo Vessel)
- WHEC (High Endurance Cutter)
- WLB (Buoy Tender)
- WPB (Patrol Boat)
- YFU (Harbor Utility Craft)
A veteran who served on a ship or boat with one of these designations will also have this information shown in their service records.
The third, and largest category, is simply an alphabetical list of every ship that counts for presumed exposure. There are a LOT of ships on this list. When looking for the one you served on, look under the first letter of the ship’s formal, full name.
If you cannot find the boat or ship you served on, but are certain that it should be included, there are ways to get it on the list. You will need to first file a claim for a condition that is related to Agent Orange, and provide proof that it was developed due to Agent Orange exposure, in Vietnam, on your ship.
Photo thanks to Kevin H. under creative commons license on Flickr.