Politics & Government
Rep. Palm Announces 'A Victory For Blue Water Vietnam Veterans'
Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans can now start receiving "the health care benefits they deserve."
Press release from Christine Palm:
Dec. 1, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Our U.S. Representative, Congressman Joe Courtney, has long been a champion for the rights of veterans. I am pleased to share this good news -- taken directly from his office communications.
If any Vietnam veterans in the towns of Haddam, Essex, Deep River or Chester need help applying for these benefits, please feel free to contact me.
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A Victory for Blue Water Vietnam Veterans
"This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that they have no plans to challenge a new Federal District Court ruling that directs the VA to issue retroactive benefits and payments to Blue Water veterans and their survivors. This is a real victory for so many of our Vietnam veterans and their families who have fought tooth and nail for years to simply be granted the benefits they rightfully earned and deserve.
Passage of our bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act last year finally opened the door for Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans to start receiving the health care benefits they deserve, and this new ruling will ensure that thousands more veterans and their families get the care they need and the compensation they earned after years of being wrongfully denied. It’s particularly encouraging to hear the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) express that they intend to comply immediately with this new court decision—VBA Chief Paul Lawrence has already stated that they’re prepared to begin identifying eligible veterans and their families who could have been eligible for claims in the past.
Contact Congressman Courtney's veterans caseworker Manny Meneses (USN-R), in the Norwich office at 860-886-0139."
This press release was produced by Christine Palm. The views expressed here are the author's own.
