Feb. 9, 2015 -
PRLog -- The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association announced a major membership drive for 2015. " With the failure of the 213th Congress to address the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013 a new bill will need to be introduced in 2015." reported Ray Melninkaits of BWNVVA. "This year we need to maximize our membership roles to ensure all states are included, we need to increase our constituent base. Membership is available to both Veterans and non Veterans, Non Veterans need only check the Associate membership block in the application page."
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association is a 501c3 non profit organization focusing on education regarding Agent Orange issues and legislation.
Exposure to Agent Orange has been linked to numerous health problems, including non-Hodgkin’
s Lymphoma, prostate cancer, Type II Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and other issues. In 1991, legislation was enacted that empowered the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to declare certain illnesses "presumptive"
to exposure to Agent Orange and enabled Vietnam veterans to receive disability compensation for these related conditions. However, in 2002, the VA limited the authority of the Act to only those veterans who could provide orders for "boots on the ground" in Vietnam. As a result, veterans who served in the waters off the coast of Vietnam were forced to file individual claims with the VA to restore their benefits, which are then decided on a case-by-case basis. After 40 years the evidence needed for these Veterans to obtain benefits no longer exists.
Applications are available at
http://form.jotform.us/form/40732840361146
