Biography

My Father is a retired Navy Chief and served in Vietnam (he is a Blue Water Veteran).  Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and about three years later received a bilateral lung transplant June 30, 2014.  It extended his life for nearly 6 years.  He passed away from complications (big combination of chronic C Diff, Adenovirus, Pneumonia, and ultimately multiorgan system failure (MOD)) on June 13, 2020.  He has a disability claim in to make the IPF a service connected disability based on Agent Orange (dioxin exposure) and his doctor is writing a letter stating they can neither confirm nor deny that this exposure caused his IPF.  My mother lost $3,600 a month upon his death due to loss of his Navy retirement and civil service retirement, and it has caused her income to drop below her mortgage payment.  He ultimately lost his life serving our great Nation, and my mom served too as a Navy wife all those 22+ years…she should not have to fight so hard to get his disability recognized through the Blue Water Act, nor should all those Vietnam veterans who are suffering from or have lost their life from this dreadful disease of IPF.  I am always happy and open to receive any information or assistance that helps us continue to move this forward to get IPF on the conditions list of Blue Water Act.  Thank you.