The Blue Water Navy (BWN) Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (PL 116-23) extended the presumption of herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange, to Veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, Veterans who served as far as 12 nautical miles from the shore of Vietnam, or who had service in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, such as Agent Orange, and may be entitled to service connection for any of the 14 conditions related to herbicide exposure.

VA is also now able to extend benefits to children with spina bifida whose BWN Veteran parent may have been exposed while serving.

Additionally, PL 116-23 made changes to the VA Home Loan Program, specifically:

VA-guaranteed home loans will no longer be limited to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (Federally-established) Confirming Loan Limits. Veterans will now be able to obtain a no-down payment home loan in all areas, regardless of loan amount.

The law exempts Purple Heart recipients currently serving on active duty from the VA Home Loan funding fee.

VA removed the loan limit for Native American Veterans seeking to build or purchase a home on Federal Trust Land.

At this time, there is a temporary change to the VA Funding Fee, which is a congressionally mandated fee associated with the VA Home Loan. Veterans and service members will see a slight increase of 0.15 to 0.30% in their funding fee (currently for two years), while National Guard and Reserve members will see a slight decrease in their fee to align with the fee paid by 'Regular Military' borrowers (permanent). Veterans with service-connected disabilities, some surviving spouses, and other potential borrowers are exempt from the VA loan funding fee and will not be impacted by this change.

Veterans with questions about benefits or filing a claim can visit the VA Agent Orange website and Compensation for Surviving Spouse and Dependents (DIC) website. They can also call 1-800-749-8387.