Need Help with the VA?
This page is to provide the crew of the USS Basilone DDE/DD-824 and other veterans with information to assist them in understanding their benefits under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the PACT Act of 2022, and information on Agent Orange providing them with information on organizations who can assist in filing a claim with Veterans Affairs Administration.
To leave a comment about your experience with the Veterans Affairs Administration or to see the experiences of other crew members click on this link: VA Experiences
This page contains information about:
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
This law extends a presumption of herbicide exposure to Blue Water Navy Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam and the offshore waters. Blue Water Navy Survivors and certain dependents may be entitled to benefits if the Veteran was exposed.
http://www.va.gov/Blue_Water_Navy_Factsheet.pdf
The Pact Act of 2022
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
Below are links with information about the Pact Act
PACT Act Overview v4 09-16-2022: Download
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
https://news.va.gov/109115/spread-word-pact-act-health-care-eligibility/
https://news.va.gov/112016/what-the-pact-act-and-cancer-moonshot-mean-for-you/
Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/.../presumptive.asp
Agent Orange Newsletter 2021
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/agent-orange/agent-orange-2021/index.asp
Agent Orange Newsletter 2022
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/agent-orange/agent-orange-2022/index.asp
Veterans Service Officers (VSOs)
Veteran Service Officers will help you write and submit your benefits claims to the VA. Their services are free. They will help you gather the information that supports your claim. Once the claim is filed, they will help you track the claim through the system. They can also help you file appeals for denied claims. Below is a link to information about VSOs and where to find them.
https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/
Below is the telephone number and email address of Steve Wagner, a VSO from Erie, PA who is willing to help anyone from the USS Basilone.
Phone: 814-384-0621, Email: [email protected]
Below is the telephone number and email address of Jim Goodspeed, a VSO from Coloma, CA Jim is also a crewmember of the USS Basilone.
Phone: 503-748-9445, Email: [email protected]
Below is a link to Veterans Guide, an organization that assists veterans with dealing with the VA.
Basilone Deck Logs
For those shipmates who were on the Basilone when it went to Vietnam in 1966 and 1972 and are applying to the VA for Agent Orange benefits, you will need a copy of the deck logs from our time in Vietnam. Use the download below to obtain the deck logs.
USS Basilone Deck Logs from Vietnam during 1966 Cruise: Download
USS Basilone Deck Logs from Vietnam during 1972 Cruise: Download
Veterans Burial Benefits and Assistance
Click on the link to download information about Veterans Burial Benefits and Assistance.
Burial Benefits: Download
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