releases: https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A2BA3EC5-456B-4607-9114-9546215F82C4
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A2BA3EC5-456B-4607-9114-9546215F82C4 | VIDEO: Heller Continues His Push to Extend Disability Benefits to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans | 2018-09-26 | 2018 | 2018-09 | Republican | House | NV | Dean Heller | H001041 | www.heller.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON During today's U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) continued his push to reverse Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie's position on legislation that Heller is championing to provide disability benefits to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In September, Heller urged Secretary Wilkie to reconsider the VA'soppositiontolegislation (S.422) that would extend disability benefits to our Blue Water veterans for medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.Today, VA Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-NV) provided Heller and concerned veterans with assurances that the committee is working toward a solution to resolve the issue of Blue Water Navy Veterans' access to disability benefits. Under current law, a Vietnam veteran must prove a foot on land occurrence in order to qualify for the presumptions of service-connection for Agent Orange-related illnesses. Given the seriousness of veteran exposure to toxic substances, Heller believes it is important to provide veterans who suffer from the effects of toxicexposure access to the benefits they have earned and deserve. That is why he is a cosponsor of S.422, legislation that would allow Blue Water Navy veterans who served up to 12 miles off-shore in Vietnam presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure. During today's hearing, Heller stated that the lack of disability benefits for Blue Water Navy Veterans was among the top concerns that Nevada veterans expressed during a recent roundtable discussion in Reno, Nevada. He spoke about Joe from Elko, a Blue Water Navy veteran who has been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. While prostate cancer is a disease associated with Agent Orange, Joe is not eligible for compensation because he is a Blue Water Navy Veteran. There's a gentleman in Nevada, from Elko, his name is Joe, and he is a Blue Water Navy veteran and he's been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. It's a disease that's associated with Agent Orange, but he isn't eligible for compensation because he is a Blue Water Navy Veteran. My concern is: I think we're turning our back on Joe,Heller told Secretary Wilkie. Video of the full exchange between Secretary Wilkie and Heller, as well as Chairman Isakson's follow up remarks, are availableHERE. [ClickHEREor on the above image to view the video from today's hearing.] *Media has permission to use video. Heller then asked Secretary Wilkie to clarify his position on compensation for Blue Water Navy Veterans. During his response, Secretary Wilkie referenced his emotional attachment to the cause of Vietnam veterans citing his father, who was gravely wounded in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and his classmate's parents who did not return. Secretary Wilkie said he had many discussions with Chairman Isakson about this issue, and he pledged to work with the Committee to ensure that the VA is just and equitable in providing benefits to Vietnam veterans. My pledge is to work to make sure that we get it right, and that is something I believe in sincerely and emotionally,Secretary Wilkie said. If we get it right, anyone who fought, anyone who was exposed and deserves attention from us - will get it. That is my pledge - to work as hard as I can to see that nobody slips through the cracks,he later continued. Chairman Isakson also addressed Heller's concerns about Blue Water Navy Veterans' access to disability benefits, and he provided assurances that the Committee is working toward a solution. The issue of dealing with Blue Water Navy is no longer going to be a question.Howwe do it is the only question,ChairmanIsaksonstated. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |