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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) released the following statement after voting for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R. 299), which would expand benefits for veterans who are suffering from diseases they received as a result of their service during the Vietnam War. Congressman Latta is a cosponsor of the bill.

“Our service members answered the call of duty during the Vietnam War, and we owe it to them -- especially those exposed to harmful chemicals like Agent Orange -- to properly care for them when they return home. I’ve proudly cosponsored this legislation for several years, and will continue to do so until ‘Blue Water Navy’ veterans receive the disability compensation they need. It’s the right thing to do.” 

Under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, a veteran who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 and has a disease that has been associated with Agent Orange is automatically presumed to have been exposed to the chemical. Therefore, they qualify for disability compensation with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, a 2002 interpretation by the VA has limited this automatic presumption of Agent Orange exposure to those that served on the ground in Vietnam or in any of the inland waterways (“Brown Water” veterans). H.R. 299 restores presumptive coverage for “Blue Water” veterans that served in the territorial seas in of Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, more than 20 million gallons of the herbicide “Agent Orange” were sprayed to reduce jungle foliage. The herbicide has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, various cancers, Type II Diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. 

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