SG Weighs New Supreme Court Challenge to 'Blue Water' Vietnam Veteran Benefits

Finnegan is one of several law firms providing broad amicus support for ‘Blue Water’ navy veterans in both the Federal Court and the Supreme Court. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Court granted a victory to blue water Navy veterans, those who served within the 12-mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, ruling that the Agent Orange Act covers those veterans who served in this 12-mile territory. The Justice Department has requested the Supreme Court review the ruling and is asking that the court put the ruling on hold, arguing that the Act only applies to the geographic landmass of Vietnam.  The Veterans Benefits Administration (VA) is expecting tens of thousands of veterans to file claims, and the government is claiming that putting the ruling on hold will give the VA relief from having to reimburse veterans if the ruling is rescinded.