Bole’s 1966-1968-1970 Vietnam Cruise and Presumptive Exposure to Agent Orange

During the Bole’s 1966 Westpac cruise the Bole participated in a Vietnam NGFS mission on the inland Saigon River, The mission dates were July 4-6, 1966.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has deemed this period as a Vietnam brown-water (inland waters) period. This means that evidence of actual exposure Agent Orange is not required – veterans are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange – if they meet the other requirements for the presumption.

For claimants, this means that if a veteran can show he or she was in Vietnam during the specific period and currently has a medical condition listed in VA regulations as being caused by Agent Orange which began within the listed time periods, VA must service connect that condition.

We know of multiple1966 Bole shipmates who has been awarded VA service connect benefits based upon this presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

Bole veterans who went to Westpac in 1968 and 1970 are covered by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 and also are presumed to be exposed to Agent Orange. Multiple ships during that period have been approved for VA benefits.

For more information: Contact the VA or your Veterans Service Officer.

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