blue water navy surviving spouse | blue water vietnam veterans

The term "Blue Water Navy" evokes images of ships navigating the open ocean, far from land. But for the spouses and dependents of the veterans who served aboard those ships during the Vietnam War era, it represents something more: a hard-fought battle for recognition and access to vital benefits. For years, these veterans, and subsequently their surviving spouses, faced significant hurdles in proving their exposure to Agent Orange and its associated health consequences. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rights and benefits available to a Blue Water Navy surviving spouse, focusing primarily on Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and navigating the complexities of Blue Water Navy status, claims, and eligibility.

The Blue Water Navy Legacy: A History of Struggle

The Blue Water Navy designation refers to veterans who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, specifically in the territorial seas of Vietnam. For decades, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denied presumptive Agent Orange exposure to these veterans, arguing that they were not "on the ground" in Vietnam and therefore not exposed to the herbicide. This denial persisted despite scientific evidence suggesting that Agent Orange could have drifted offshore and contaminated the water used for drinking, showering, and other daily activities aboard these ships.

The fight for recognition was long and arduous. Blue Water Navy veterans and their advocates tirelessly lobbied Congress, presented scientific data, and shared personal stories of illness and loss. Their persistence eventually led to the passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. This landmark legislation extended presumptive Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam, paving the way for them and their surviving spouses to access the benefits they rightfully deserved.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A Lifeline for Surviving Spouses

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of deceased veterans whose death was due to a service-connected disease or injury. For Blue Water Navy surviving spouses, DIC represents a crucial source of financial support, especially given the often-debilitating and ultimately fatal health conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure.

Eligibility for DIC as a Blue Water Navy Surviving Spouse

To be eligible for DIC as a surviving spouse of a Blue Water Navy veteran, you must meet specific criteria, which can be broadly categorized into two main areas: the veteran's service and the relationship between the veteran and the surviving spouse.

* Veteran's Service:

* The veteran must have served in the active military, naval, or air service.

* The veteran's death must have been due to a service-connected disease or injury. For Blue Water Navy veterans, this typically involves proving a connection between their service in the territorial seas of Vietnam and a disease associated with Agent Orange exposure. This connection is often established through the presumptive conditions recognized by the VA.

* The veteran must have been considered "Blue Water Navy" as defined by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. This means they must have served offshore of Vietnam during the specified period.

* Relationship with the Veteran:

* You must have been validly married to the veteran at the time of their death. In most cases, this requires a legally recognized marriage.

* You must have lived continuously with the veteran until their death, unless you were separated due to circumstances beyond your control.

* You must not have remarried after the veteran's death. Remarriage generally disqualifies a surviving spouse from receiving DIC, although there are exceptions in certain circumstances.

Understanding Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

The key to securing DIC for Blue Water Navy surviving spouses often lies in establishing a connection between the veteran's service and a disease linked to Agent Orange exposure. The VA maintains a list of presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange. If a veteran who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam develops one of these conditions, the VA presumes, for the purposes of benefits eligibility, that the condition is related to their service. This significantly eases the burden of proof for both the veteran and their surviving spouse.

Common Agent Orange presumptive conditions include:

* Type 2 Diabetes

* Ischemic Heart Disease

* Various Cancers (e.g., prostate cancer, lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, soft tissue sarcoma)

* Parkinson's Disease

* Peripheral Neuropathy (early-onset)

* Chloracne

* Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

It's crucial to remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and the VA may update the list of presumptive conditions periodically.

The DIC Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guideblue water navy surviving spouse

Applying for DIC can be a complex and potentially daunting process. However, understanding the steps involved can help you navigate the system more effectively.

1. Gather Necessary Documentation: Compile all relevant documents, including:

* Veteran's Death Certificate: This is essential to prove the veteran's death.

* Marriage Certificate: This verifies the legal marriage between you and the veteran.