Agent Orange exposure on Navy or Coast Guard ships 
Did you serve on a Blue Water Navy vessel offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, or on another U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ship operating in the coastal waterways of Vietnam, between January 9 , 1962, and May 7 , 1975? If yes , you may have had contact with Agent Orange, an herbicide used to clear trees and plants during the war. We refer to this as a presumption of contact. Find out if you can get disability compensation and other benefits for illnesses we believe are caused by Agent Orange. 

Blue Water Navy Veterans and Agent Orange 
Blue Water Navy Veterans are now entitled to a presumption of service connection for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure. This is a result of Public Law 116 - 23, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The law was signed on June 25 , 2019, and takes effect on January 1 , 2020. Read below to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to file a claim. If we denied your claim in the past , you can file a new claim based on this change in law. 

Can I get disability benefits from VA? 
You may be able to get disability benefits if the below descriptions are true for you. This must be true : You have an illness we believe is caused by Agent Orange called a presumptive disease And at least one of these must also be true. Your military record must show that between January 9 , 1962, and May 7 , 1975, you : Were aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam , or Served on a vessel not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia as detailed in Public Law 116 - 23, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 Review our list of diseases related to Agent Orange 

Who s covered? 
Veterans Qualified dependents 

What kind of benefits can I get? 
Health care Compensation payments An Agent Orange Registry health exam 

How do I get these benefits? 
You ll need to file a claim for disab

user: Hi, I would like to know about agent orange exposure Coast Guard Ships

assistant: Did you serve in any U.S Navy or Coast Guard ship operating in the coastal waterways of Vietnam, between January 9 1962 and May 7, 1975?

user: No, I didn`t serve there

user: What are the requirements for disability benefits from VA?

assistant: The first one is having an illness that could be caused by Agent Orange called a presumptive disease, is that your case?

user: No, that is not my case at all.

assistant: Well, then you can't be eligible for this benefit

user: What if I don't have a illness, but the presumption I could have one in the future?

assistant: If you had contact with Agent Orange, herbicides used to clear trees or plants during the  war, you can find out if you can get some compensation and other benefits for illnesses we believe are caused by Agent Orange.

user: what benefits can I get?

assistant: You can get disability compensation and other benefits if you had contact with the previously mentioned components

user: What If I have an illness different from those mentioned on the list of related diseases, but I believe it was caused by Agent Orange

assistant: In that case, you should present a scientific proof that the illness was caused by Agent Orange.

user: Is there any law that protects Blue Water Navy Veterans?

assistant: Of course, they are now entitled to a presumption of service connection for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure, this law was signed on 2019 and takes effect on January 2020