The VA is reviewing about 60,000 claims from Vietnam War veterans with service-related exposure to Agent Orange. Some of these cases could be eligible for retroactive compensation.
According to an article published by Stripes.com, “These former sailors served aboard ships in the open waters off the coast of Vietnam and have long contended they were exposed to chemical herbicides through the ships’ water systems. The dioxin-laden herbicides have been found to cause respiratory cancers, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease, as well as other conditions. Congress passed legislation in 2019 that entitled these veterans, known as “Blue Water” Navy veterans, to government benefits. The U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California decided in November that the VA must reevaluate claims from veterans who were rejected.”
Relevant pages: Veterans Disability