What if a ship I served on is not on the VA Agent Orange list?

What if a ship I served on is not on the VA Agent Orange list?

Before the Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct research on a ship that is not listed on the VA’s ships list for brown water or blue water craft during the Vietnam War, a veteran must file a claim for a service-connected disability related to Agent Orange. The VA also requires this for survivors and children with birth defects.

Veterans who are not filing a claim for a service-connected disability related to Agent Orange may research on their own and provide evidence to the VA. This evidence includes deck logs, ship histories, and cruise book entries. Ship deck logs can be found at the National Archives at College Park, Md. What the VA requires in evidence:

  • The ship or craft entering the inland waterways of Vietnam, or
  • Docking in Vietnam, or
  • Sending crew members ashore

The VA does not consider ships or craft anchored in open water harbors such as Da Nang Harbor as sufficient evidence for the presumption of Agent Orange exposure. Veterans must scan their documentary evidence and email it to 211_AOSHIPS.VBACO@va.gov. Please do not include personal information in any emails sent to this address.