— from Jana Webb for Orcas Community Resource Center —
The Veterans Administration (VA) has previously denied compensation benefits to Navy veterans who served in the waters off the coast of Vietnam during that war. After many years and a federal appeals court ruling, those veterans are now eligible for VA service-connected compensation for the presumptive health conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange.
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 extends benefits to any military personnel who served during the period beginning January 9, 1962 and ending on May 7, 1975 on any vessel during the Vietnam War that came within 12 nautical miles of the coastlines of Vietnam
Veteran Navigators in Bellingham will return to Orcas this fall (date to be announced) to help vets access these and other benefits.
