‘Blue water’ Navy veterans’ long waits often end in denials at VA

[unhappycamper]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/26/186962/blue-water-navy-veterans-long.html



About 200 biodegradable orange balloons are lifted by the breeze in honor and recognition of those who served in Vietnam and were affected by Agent Orange during fifth annual Memorial Day ceremony at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Fla., May 28, 2012.

‘Blue water’ Navy veterans’ long waits often end in denials at VA
By Beena Raghavendran | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2013

WASHINGTON — Bob Bauman is waiting.

Bauman, of Baltimore, remembers the orange-striped barrels sitting on a pier off Subic Bay in the Philippines. He’s convinced that they were filled with Agent Orange that leaked into the water where he and his fellow sailors went swimming.

Now 65, Bauman has diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, colorectal cancer and essential tremor. He blames the orange-striped barrels, but he hasn’t received disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA grants benefits only to Agent Orange-exposed veterans who served on the ground or in the rivers of Vietnam. Bauman and his fellow sailors – known as blue water Navy veterans – served off the coast of Vietnam and aren’t covered.

The fight between veterans such as Bauman and the VA has resulted in a cycle of denied claims and a lack of benefits for the majority of blue water veterans that can stretch several years, advocates say. Legislation to extend compensation to these veterans was introduced in the House of Representatives in February, but getting it through will be difficult: Five previous attempts to secure benefits have been unsuccessful.




unhappycamper comment: Agent Orange, the DOW gift that just keeps on giving.

[former9thward]

1. Yes this is a big problem.

In my state, with the support of the State Bar, I have organized a group of attorneys along with law students at two law schools to help out. At no cost we show veterans how to navigate the disability benefits maze at the VA. This is a major problem that is not getting any better.

[unhappycamper]

2. Thank you!

It's sad that we keep doing the same shit after every adventure. Over and fucking over and ......