Category Archives: Veterans Administration

Blue Water Navy act will expand presumption of exposure to Agent Orange

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Photo americanorange.com

Photo americanorange.com

WASHINGTON — The bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015, H.R. 969, would include the territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam for the purpose of presuming exposure to “certain herbicide agents” while serving in Vietnam.

The bill, with 209 cosponsors, has not moved from the the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs since March 6. The list of cosponsors is apparently growing.

The bill is intended to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.

300agent-orangeAccording to the Vets 101 web site, the presumption of exposure to certain environmental hazards may make a veteran entitled to certain VA disability compensation and more VA health care services. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes several diseases which have been linked to the use of the chemical known as Agent Orange.

Agent Orange was a chemical defoliant used indiscriminately in Vietnam. At the time it was believed to be safe. An Army medic who served in Vietnam told me that they had to wear wet weather gear when the chemical was sprayed in his area of operations.

Navy personnel could have been exposed when loading and unloading the chemical on transport ships.

More information on Agent Orange: History Channel.

Thank you Vietnam Veterans

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Rolling Thunder Photo

In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute, March 29 is Vietnam Veterans’ day. Although it is not considered a legal holiday, we should reflect this Sunday on the sacrifices that the brave men and women of America made in an unpopular war.
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We also take time to note the continuing effort of these heroes on behalf of POW/MIAs and other veterans in their Run For the Wall and Rolling Thunder events. Anyone who would like to support these events can go to the web site and make a donation or purchase their products.

Run for the Wall begins May 13 and one of the routes makes their first stop in Williams and Phoenix. They sell products on their run to help support their efforts. Anyone may purchase items or simply come by the American Legion hall and show their support.

Links:
Department of Veterans Affairs Vietnam Veterans benefit page
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall page
Vietnam Veterans of America
Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

American Legion Commander Dellinger calls for VA Secretary to resign

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American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger calls for resignation of VA officials.

American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger calls for resignation of VA officials.

In front of local media and a live Internet audience, American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger today called for the resignations of Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, Under Secretary of Health Robert Petzel and Under Secretary of Benefits Allison Hickey.

Dellinger cited poor oversight and failed leadership as the reason for calling for the resignations – something The American Legion hasn’t done regarding a public official in more than 30 years.

“Gen. Eric Shinseki has served his country well,” Dellinger said. “His patriotism and sacrifice for this nation are above reproach. However, his record as the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs tells a different story. The existing leadership has exhibited a pattern of bureaucratic incompetence and failed leadership that has been amplified in recent weeks.”

Dellinger pointed to allegations from multiple whistleblowers of a secret waiting list at the Phoenix VA Health Care System that may have resulted in the death of approximately 40 veterans, that VA previously had acknowledged that 23 veterans throughout the health-care system have died as a result of delayed care in recent years, and a the findings of an investigation by VA’s Office of Medical Inspector that clerks at the VA clinic in Fort Collins, Colo., were instructed last year how to falsify appointment records so it appeared the small staff of doctors was seeing patients within the agency’s goal of 14 days, according to the investigation.

Read more at The American Legion