Navy Updating Agent Orange List; 47 New Vessels Listed

Well, they’re not exactly new vessels, just new on the list of ships whose crews might have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. The VA has a database of over 200 ships in service from 1962 to 1975 where exposure was possible. Note that the database includes not just Navy but Coast Guard ships too. If you served on one of these 47 “blue water” ships or any of the ones in the database, you might be eligible for disability compensation. I just wanted to be sure you knew about it.

New to the list is the hospital ship Repose and the transport ship General R. M. Blatchford.  The Repose was in close coastal waters from 1966 to 1970.  In October of 1965 at Vung Tau, the transport ship landed elements of the 1^st Infantry Division (Go Big Red One!)…sorry that just slipped out.

That still leaves 45 new ones. By the way, the list continues to be updated as veterans or VA staff find evidence that a ship operated close to shore, was moored, or even crossed an inland waterway where the crew risked exposure to that bad boy Agent Orange.  I’m just sayin’ that if you served on a ship during that time, it’s in your best interest to check this alphabetized list every once in a while since it’s constantly being updated. Speakin’ of dates, the time frame is from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975. That includes brief visits ashore or service aboard a ship that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam.

Ships that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam might have been part of the Mobile Riverine Force, Inshore Fire Support (ISF) Division 93 or had one of the designations on this list.  Check it out.

Now if you think your vessel should be on the list and it’s not, contact the VA with your evidence, but be sure you file a claim first. That’s what sets the ball in motion. There’s a ton of info for you here.

Understand that it’s not just Vietnam where Agent Orange was used.  Nope.  For years vets who served on the DMZ in Korea between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 have complained about Agent Orange symptoms.  Well, now you’re invited.  Here’s a good place to start.

What if your service time’s a blur?  Maybe you don’t remember all that much.  Go at it from a different angle.  Agent Orange affected vets in different ways. The VA recognizes 14 medical conditions rising from exposure to the toxic defoliant.  You can find out about those here.

One other thing: the VA pays disability compensation to veterans who qualify or their survivors.

You lose a buddy to Agent Orange? Make sure his family knows about this. You got a pal now who’s got Agent Orange problems?  Same thing.  Have him check the list if he hasn’t.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. We were brothers and sisters then. We still are and that means we still look out for each other.

You got questions on this, you can call those boys at the NVF: 888.777.4443

Did I mention that the NVF is for all veterans?  ‘Cuz it is.

Dave Culmer, Semper Fi.