Did your ship qualify for Agent Orange?
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 restored the Agent Orange presumption for sailors who served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's coast. VA also keeps a list of ships with documented qualifying service. Search yours below.
For years, "Blue Water" Navy veterans who served offshore were denied the Agent Orange presumption that "Brown Water" (inland) veterans received. The 2019 law changed that. Effective January 1, 2020, VA presumes herbicide exposure for veterans aboard ships that operated within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.
VA's ship list, below, groups vessels into five categories of documented service on Vietnam's inland waterways or close coastal waters. Being on the list helps establish qualifying service, but your ship does not have to appear here to qualify under the 12 nautical mile rule.
Under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, a ship does not have to be on this list. If you served aboard a ship operating within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's coast between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, you may qualify for the presumption.
Start typing your ship to check the list. 462 ships are listed across five categories.
This is a VA reference aid, not a guarantee of service connection. You still need a current diagnosis of a presumptive condition and qualifying service dates.
Source: VA ship listPresumptive locations on land
Exposure is not limited to Vietnam or to ships. VA presumes herbicide exposure for service at these places during these windows. Open a location for the details.
Republic of VietnamJan 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975
Any service in the Republic of Vietnam, on its inland waterways, or aboard a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of Vietnam and Cambodia (the Blue Water Navy rule). If you served aboard ship, use the ship lookup above to check VA's list.
Thailand, any US or Royal Thai military baseJan 9, 1962 to Jun 30, 1976
The PACT Act covers service at any United States or Royal Thai base in Thailand during this window, regardless of where on the base you worked. Before the PACT Act, VA required duty at or near the base perimeter; that limitation no longer applies.
Korean Demilitarized ZoneSep 1, 1967 to Aug 31, 1971
Service in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time during this window. This presumption predates the PACT Act and remains in place.
LaosDec 1, 1965 to Sep 30, 1969
Any service in Laos during this window, added by the PACT Act.
Cambodia, at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham ProvinceApr 16, 1969 to Apr 30, 1969
A narrow window and a specific area: service at Mimot or Krek in Kampong Cham Province during the last half of April 1969, added by the PACT Act.
Guam or American Samoa, or their territorial watersJan 9, 1962 to Jul 31, 1980
Service on Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters off either, during this window, added by the PACT Act.
Johnston Atoll, or a ship that called thereJan 1, 1972 to Sep 30, 1977
Service on Johnston Atoll, where surplus herbicide was stored, or aboard a ship that called at Johnston Atoll during this window, added by the PACT Act.
C-123 aircraft contact1969 to 1986
Air Force and Air Force Reserve members who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served aboard C-123 aircraft that had sprayed herbicide during the Vietnam era. This presumption is tied to the aircraft, not a place.