Sea Service & Toxic Exposure by Era

Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Marines who served afloat faced asbestos, herbicides, jet fuel, radiation, burn pit smoke and secret tests at sea. Under the Blue Water Navy Act and the PACT Act, if your ship was in qualifying waters during the right dates and your condition is on VA's list, VA presumes the connection. You don't need a nexus letter, but you do have to prove where your ship was. This guide goes era by era:

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• Atomic test ships and WWII mustard gas tests

• Blue Water and Brown Water Navy in Vietnam, and Coast Guard cutters

• Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll

• The Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Arabian Sea, which count for both Gulf War illness and burn pit claims

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It also covers Camp Lejeune and hazards like Red Hill and firefighting foam. You'll learn how to use VA's ship list and read Navy deck logs, which ship types usually worked close to shore, what exposures to describe for your job (engine rooms, flight decks, hull and pipes), and how to find shipmates for buddy statements. It covers hearing loss and tinnitus and what to do if you were denied before. Real-life examples, sample statements and links to official sources are included throughout. Download our free Sea Service Phrase Guide (PDF) to describe your service in words VA can match to its rules. If you're enrolled in VA health care, ask for your free toxic exposure screening.