Plaque provide by:
James Vaness
Michigan
Ship's Patch Provided By:
C.B. Sutton
Mo.
VA BLUE WATER CLAIMS Update 05:

As most Vietnam-era veterans know presumption for Agent Orange related health
conditions are based upon the member having actually had "boots on the ground" for
at least one day. Those serving aboard ships have been divided into two groups. In the
Blue Water groups are those individuals who were considered not to have been in
country and among the Brown Water group are those who worked primarily on the
rivers and are already considered to qualify. A question by a veterans organization
representative, at a previous quarterly meeting, has led the VA to slightly change the
rule. Now if a service member can prove that he was aboard a ship that actually tied up
to a pier in Vietnam and that can be proved, the member will be considered as being in
country and the presumptive conditions can apply. If you or someone you know meets
these qualifications and has previously been turned down for Agent Orange related
conditions, now is the time to re-open your case with the VA. [Source: NAUS Weekly
update 29 May 09 ++]
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   Agent orange and Malathion   
Insecticide and the nervous system