On Jan 29, 2019 a Navy "Blue Water" vet won in the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. By a 9-2 decision, the court ruled his
illnesses were consistent with scientific facts about Agent Orange. They ruled he is eligible for VA compensation.
Veterans who think they may have a claim should file now. If and when this Agent Orange Act is passed into law; when the court rules or the VA Secretary settles upon an effective date, veterans with submitted claims should be eligible for retroactive payment. The list of illnesses may be changed as studies of Operation Ranch Hand are completed. The current list is:
Cancers Chronic B-cell Leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, Multiple Myloma, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Prostrate Cancer, Respiratory Cancers ( including lung cancer), Soft tissue Sarcomas ( other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma ).
Other Illnesses Al Amyloidosis, chloracne ( or similar types of acneform disease), Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Ischemic Heart Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Early Onset, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda.
Veterans can call the VA to ask what to do. But, we recommend contacting one of the Veterans Service Organizations ( VSO)s.We have a service officer in our unit to help veterans through the bureaucracy and red tape. Our service officers know the documentation needed and the phone numbers to call.
The Many VSOs are advocating its passage The recent ruling is promising. Contact Us for more information