Newby-ginnings of North Idaho

Lawsuits filed to include more veterans of herbicide exposure

The Vietnam Blue Water Navy veterans recently had previously denied benefits made available. This came about because of a lawsuit filed and won on appeal by Military Veterans Advocacy (MVA).

Thousands of Navy veterans and their spouses have received benefits, but there are thousands of claims still outstanding. Many Vietnam Navy veterans and their families are still not aware that benefits available to them or a surviving spouse and children.

MVA has suits pending to force coverage for herbicide exposure (like Agent Orange) in Thailand, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Island. They are also hope to compel the VA to expand the Blue Water Navy area to the entire Vietnam Service Medal area, which would include the Tonkin Gulf and Yankee Station. They are also working with the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. and their partners at the Association of the U. S. Navy to provide a pathway for coverage for submarines.

To learn more about these efforts, visit www.militaryveteransadvocacy.org.

If you qualify for these new benefits, you can find local resources in the “How Can I Get

Help?” section of this publication on page 5. An article about

Veteran Service Organizations and Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) in this issue contains additional information.