Blue Water Navy Veterans are encouraged to submit disability compensation claims for conditions presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. Veterans over age 85 or with life-threatening illnesses will have priority in claims processing.

Veterans who previously were denied for an Agent Orange related presumptive condition can file a new claim based on the change in law. Eligible survivors of deceased Blue Water Navy Veterans also may benefit from the new law and may file claims for benefits based on the Veterans’ service.

The new law affects Veterans who served on a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia, as defined in Public Law 116-23. An estimated 420,000 to 560,000 Vietnam-era Veterans may be considered Blue Water Navy Veterans.

To qualify under the new law, these Veterans must have a disease associated with herbicide exposure, as listed in 38 Code of Federal Regulations section 3.309(e).

Agent Orange presumptive conditions are:

•AL amyloidosis

•Chloracne or similar acneform disease

•Chronic B-cell leukemias

•Diabetes mellitus Type 2

•Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease

•Ischemic heart disease

•Multiple myeloma

•Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

•Peripheral neuropathy, early-onset

•Porphyria cutanea tarda

•Prostate cancer

•Respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx or trachea)

•Soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma or mesothelioma).

Veterans seeking more information should contact their Veterans Service Officer, call VA’s toll-free number at 800-827-1000 or visit the VA Blue Water Navy Agent Orange website.

For more information about Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam waters (Blue Water Navy Veterans), visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/navy-coast-guard-ships-vietnam/.

Veterans seeking more information should contact their Veterans Service Officer, call VA’s toll-free number at 800-827-1000 or visit the VA Blue Water Navy Agent Orange website.

American Indian Veterans Memorial Dedication

VFW Post 1956 is honored to announce the dedication of the American Indian Veterans Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery on Saturday, May 2, 2026. This significant monument pays tribute to Native American, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander veterans and represents a historic addition to Riverside National Cemetery.

At the center of the memorial stands "The Gift," by artist A. Thomas Schomberg honors 200 years of military service and the enduring sacrifices of American Indian veterans throughout our nation's history.

This project, initiated in 2005, was made possible through years of dedication and broad community support. The VFW Department of California and District 3 VFW Posts were honored to contribute to the realization of this memorial. 

We invite members, families, and the community to attend this historic dedication! 

Veterans of Foreign Wars            Menifee VFW Post 1956   P.O. Box 321 Menifee, CA 92586

EIN: 95-3319357- 501(c) (19) Veteran Non-Profit: C2326557

 COMMANDER’S CORNER