Hi Shipmates,
PLEASE NOTE - THE BLUE WATER NAVY ACT HAS MADE IT EASIER FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SERVED ON A SHIP IN VIET NAM TO CLAIM BENEFITS. I LEAVE THIS SITE ACTIVE FOR THOSE WHO NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME,
I served aboard the USS Okinawa from May, 1968 to April, 1971, and made 2 WestPac cruises. I was an RD2 in OI division.
Several years ago I was contacted by a shipmate who had serious health issues related to his exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, I became aware that a medical condition I had been dealing with for 20 years could be related to my exposure. I was able to successfully file a claim and am now receiving VA disability. The claim process can be long and complicated. As a result of this website, I have helped many shipmates get the benefits they are entitled to. Many, like myself, have been dealing with health issues for years, unaware that these issues were related to exposure to Agent Orange.
Many of you may be suffering from a disease that can be traced back to Agent Orange.
The purpose of this website is to walk you through the process and make you aware of pending developments related to your exposure.
STEP 1 - FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION
Check the VA website to see if you have one of the 14 diseases that could have resulted from your exposure to Agent Orange. The website is:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp
STEP 2 - SHIP'S LIST
In order to make a claim, you must have either "boots on ground" or the ship must be on the list of ships published by the VA. This list can be found at:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp
The Okinawa qualifies if you were aboard in May, 1971.
LATE DEVELOPMENT - 9/3/16- The Navy has added all cruises for the Okinawa from 1967-1971 (see the next 3 paragraphs) It says that crew members did go ashore. I am not sure if the VA will accept this to prove "boots on ground" (see below). If anyone tries to use this for their claim, please let me know the results.
IV. Ships operating on Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crew members went ashore
This category includes large ocean-going ships of the Blue Water Navy that conducted a variety of missions along the close coastal waters of Vietnam for extended periods of time. Documentary evidence has been obtained for all ships in this category showing that some crewmembers actually went ashore. Examples of such vessels include hospital ships, harbor repair ships, mine sweepers, and seaplane tenders. Also included are combat ships, such as destroyers, when evidence shows that crewmembers went ashore. Because shore activity of some crewmembers has been documented, any Veteran aboard the ship at the time of documented shore activity will be eligible for the presumption of exposure if that Veteran provides a lay statement of personally going ashore.
USS Okinawa (LPH-3) operated as troop transport with helicopters and smaller vessels transporting troops on and off shore for amphibious assaults, with evidence that crew members went ashore to assist civilians, from April-November 1967, December 1968-May 1969, June- November 1970, and April-November 1972
Otherwise, you have to prove "boots on ground". Many of us went ashore for supplies missions and other operations, but there is no way to document this. However, if you were aboard on January 9, 1969, there was an all-crew party at China Beach. This was how I was able to get my claim approved.
For those of you who were aboard the ship for the party, the following pictures are from the cruise book. I was able to justify my claim by submission of these pictures with my claim.
STEP 3 - FILING YOUR CLAIM
If you were aboard in May, 1971, the easiest way to file a claim is to go on line at:
For those of you who are not tech savvy, or have trouble at this site (it is not very user friendly), see the instructions below for the China Beach party.
If you were at the China Beach party, you need to go to or call your VA Regional Benefits office. To find your office, log on to:
Click on Locations
Click on Regional Benefits Offices
Click on Facilities By State
Pick your State
Find an office close to you. You want the Veterans Benefits Administration, not the Health Care facilities.
You could call or visit. I recommend going there in person, but be prepared for a long wait.
Tell the individual who waits on you that you are a Vietnam vet and want to file an Agent Orange claim. They will ask you some questions, including what disease you have that qualifies. You will be provided with the necessary paperwork to file the claim. It is important to establish a claim date as soon as possible. Once your claim is approved, the retroactive payments will go back to the claim date no matter how long it takes.
If you were at the China Beach party, it is important that you contact me (see contact information below) as you will be able to piggyback off my claim.
STEP 4 - OBTAINING AN ADVOCATE
Regardless of whether you were at the party or on board in May, 1971, it is very important that you have an advocate who will assist you with all the paperwork and work with the VA in getting your claim filed. They will also help you should you need to appeal your claim.
To find an advocate:
Google your state Office of Veterans Services. There should be a list of contacts, and you want to find the Veterans Service Officer for your region. Call and make an appointment for help with your paperwork and filing your claim. I used a state advocate, and he was instrumental in getting my claim approved in a timely fashion. Some state advocates are better than others. See below for other sources for advocates.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) also provides advocates. Log on to www.dav.org. At the very top of the website there is a link for "Veterans Need Claim Help".
In addition the American Legion and VFW have advocates that can help. Again, check their websites. Some even have offices in the same building as where you go to submit your claim.
There are many web links to attorneys who offer help. You do not need to pay anyone. Between the advocates listed above and myself, you can file a claim.
MY CONTACT INFORMATION
Whatever your problem, I am willing to help. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Rich Silverman rssmgb@gmail.com
If you know of any other shipmates, please pass this information along. In addition, should you know any other veterans who served in Vietnam, please reach out to them as they may not be aware of the diseases that qualify and the benefits to which they are justly entitled.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS:
It is vastly unfair that the blue water Navy veterans have to prove boots on ground. Agent Orange was in the air, the waters, and brought back to the ship by Marines and our fellow shipmates. There is a bill in Congress that qualifies anyone within the "territorial waters" of Vietnam to make a claim. Further information about this can be found at:
This site also has additional information about exposure to Agent Orange.