EXPOSURE TO ...
UPDATED 6/28/23
DISCLAIMER: The following information is not intended to be the only source used when researching possible exposure.
AGENT ORANGE
H.R.299 - Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 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.
Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam's inland waterways:
USS Anchorage (LSD 36) transported troops and supplies into Qui Nhon Bay during June 1970 and January 1972
Ships operating on Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that smaller craft from the ship regularly delivered supplies or troops ashore:
USS Anchorage (LSD 36) transported troops and supplies to and from shore with smaller craft at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau, and An Thoi from February 1970 through July 1972
H.R.3967 - Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 added new locations to the list of presumptive locations for Agent Orange. One of those locations was Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 30, 1980:
USS Anchorage (LSD 36) visited Guam several times between 1973 and 1984.
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Disability Benefits - The PACT Act was signed into law August 10, 2022 The PACT Act and your VA benefits
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Public Health - Blue Water Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Fact Sheet
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Disabilty Benefits - Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation
ASBESTOS
Asbestos was used on USS Anchorage (LSD 36) during construction which started in 1967.
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Disabilty Benefits
LEAD
There were several ways of becoming exposed while on USS Anchorage (LSD 36). One example is having contact with lead-based paints that were deteriorating.
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Public Health
RADIATION
H.R.3967 - Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 addresses health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. (Section 401) includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands between January 1, 1977, and December 31, 1980, as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the VA presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.
USS Anchorage (LSD 36) visited Enewetak Atoll several times between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1980.
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Disability Benefits - The PACT Act and your VA benefits
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Frequently Asked Questions
- Atomic Heritage Foudation - Atomic Veterans: Enewetak Atoll