Tag Archives: blue water navy

‘Blue Water’ veteran benefits one of 18 bills approved


Lats week, a Congressional committee approved a variety of legislation for veterans that included bills to extend benefits to “Blue Water” Navy veterans and create a fourth administration within the Department of Veteran Affairs. According to an article published by ConnectingVetsRadio.com, the committee Chairman Mark Takano “launched the meeting by highlighting the first bill on…

Lawmakers advocate for ‘Blue Water’ bill in wake of court ruling


Lawmakers recently gathered to discuss the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 and made their case for why the legislation is needed, saying it was the “quickest and clearest route” for providing benefits to ‘Blue Water’ Navy veterans. According to an article published by Stars and Stripes, the “Court of Appeals for the…

Final ruling delayed on ‘blue water’ Vietnam veterans benefits


This week the Supreme Court granted a 30-day extension to Department of Justice officials regarding the appeal of a January court ruling which extended presumptive benefits to tens of thousands of Navy veterans. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “advocates say they are not concerned by the move, calling it a typical legal maneuver and…

New ruling promises fix for ‘Blue Water’ Veterans


Last week, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., announced plans to back a ruling that promises a permanent fix for ‘Blue Water’ Vietnam veterans who claim that their rare illnesses are caused by exposure to chemical defoliants while in service. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com “[The] “blue water” veterans problem centers on…

Blue Water Navy Veterans court ruling moves forward


The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that they will not appeal a January court ruling that will likely pave the way for “Blue Water Navy” veterans to receive Agent Orange benefits. According to an article published by Military.com, “VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that he will recommend the Justice Department not fight the decision, handing…

VA to Announce Decision on New Agent Orange Presumptive Illnesses


According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, during a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing this week, Dr. Richard Stone (executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration) announced that a decision regarding presumptive illnesses linked to Agent Orange would likely come in the next 3 months. This announcement would mean that conditions such as bladder cancer, hypothyroidism,…

Bill named for Tampa Bay veteran seeks to expand Agent Orange benefits


According to an article published by Channel 8 News, “just days after the VA awarded Navy veteran Lonnie Kilpatrick disability benefits for his exposure to toxic herbicides, Lonnie passed away. Over the course of a decade, the VA refused to approve his benefits, claiming that because he was stationed on Guam and not in Vietnam,…

Push for “Blue Water Navy” veterans benefits continues


Last week, House and Senate leaders began another push for a “Blue Water Navy” bill on Agent Orange veterans benefits. This was following a previously failed attempt last year due to opposition from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to an article published by Military.com, “Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee were joined by Rep. Mark…