To right past wrongs, thousands of rejected Blue Water Navy benefits claims are under review by the Department of Veterans Affairs after being compelled by a court order.
The 60,000 sailors who served on ships in eligible waters off the coast of Vietnam and claim Agent Orange exposure stand to benefit from the reevaluation. DAV was instrumental in the passage of critical legislation in 2019 that entitled these sailors, known as Blue Water Navy veterans, to overdue veterans benefits, including compensation and health care.
Affected veterans whose claims were rejected because they didn’t serve with boots on the ground in Vietnam will be automatically reevaluated.
“Veterans don’t need to do anything to have their once-rejected claim reviewed,” said National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “The U.S. District Court in Northern California rightly realizes that many Blue Water Navy veterans have waited decades for justice, and time is running out.”
Since 2019, the agency has distributed nearly $1 billion in retroactive benefits based on more than 45,000 Blue Water veterans’ claims.
Stay informed
Get updates on legislation affecting veterans and their families by joining DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) at davcan.org.
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Contact your nearest DAV office. They will help you file a claim and stick with you all through the process, because no veteran should have to go at it alone.
DAV is an organization of veterans helping veterans.
The reasons are as individual as our members. Some join for the fellowship at our more than 1,200 local chapters. Some for the inspiring national events. Others for opportunities to serve their fellow veterans and their families. And many join to continue the fight to support the rights and benefits of all veterans. DAV understands the needs of veterans because we are veterans—1 million strong. We invite you to join our cause.
CARtober is a month dedicated to giving back to veterans to fund vital programs and services through the DAV Vehicle Donation Program. Jackie Reau’s donation is an example of how your support can go farther for veterans.
As the granddaughter of an Army veteran, Jackie Reau highly values the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes. So, when the time came to decide what to do with her mom’s old Chrysler, the DAV Vehicle Donation Program was Jackie’s first choice.
Donating the vehicle to DAV was a meaningful way to give back to veterans while paying tribute to her grandfather who served. "I chose DAV because of the incredible work they do to support veterans living with disabilities. DAV's mission speaks directly to our family values, and I know my grandfather would be proud." - Jackie Reau, DAV supporter and vehicle donor
If you have a vehicle that’s no longer being used, donating it to DAV will provide life-changing support for veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors. DAV also accepts unused vehicles of almost any kind including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats and more. We make the process simple, secure and hassle-free. Plus, you may even qualify for a tax deduction.
In honor of CARtober, learn more about how you can donate a vehicle to help our nation’s veterans at the link in the comments. ...
Leave a message of encouragement for our military-connected founders heading to Cincinnati next week for DAV Patriot Boot Camp's alumni accelerator! These founders have already completed a Patriot Boot Camp cohort and are returning to build on that foundation, strengthen their businesses and connect with a community of fellow entrepreneurs.
DAV Patriot Boot Camp provides active-duty service members, veterans and their spouses with access to mentors, educational programming, and a robust community of experts and peers to help them grow impactful businesses. Learn more at patriotbootcamp.org.
We cannot wait to reunite with these founders and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next! ...
Former NFL player and founder of Athletes for CARE Robert Gallery discusses how Ibogaine changed his perspective on life and helped clear the brain fog that he was living with for years. Watch the full panel, “Ibogaine-Assisted Therapy: Hope, Evidence and the Road Ahead” - dav.la/4irqWYh. ...
The latest issue of the #DAVMagazine is now available, featuring stories about the people, programs and advocacy efforts making a difference for veterans and their families.
Inside this issue:
• A Purple Heart Vietnam veteran finally receives the benefits he earned • New legislation addressing the Edgewood Arsenal human experiments • How recreation therapy helped a paralyzed veteran restore hope • A message from DAV’s new National Commander • Information on The Dental Care for Veterans Act • The supportive community behind DAV Patriot Boot Camp • Highlights from the 2026 DAV & Auxiliary National Convention • Part 2 of our look at 250 years of the American veteran • The caregivers whose love inspires everything they do
Read the September/October issue of DAV Magazine: dav.la/3qi. ...
To right past wrongs, thousands of rejected Blue Water Navy benefits claims are under review by the Department of Veterans Affairs after being compelled by a court order.
