Forged by the Sea: Honoring the U.S. Navy’s Enduring Mission and the Veterans Who Served
Every October 13, Americans have an opportunity to recognize the men and women who have served in the United States Navy - and the sacrifices that can continue long after a Sailor leaves active duty.
The U.S. Navy traces its beginnings to October 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the vessels that would form the Continental Navy. (Naval History and Heritage Command)
More than 250 years later, the Navy remains a global force protecting U.S. interests, maintaining maritime security and responding wherever Sailors are called to serve.
The Navy has used the phrase “Forged by the Sea” to describe how Sailors are tested, shaped and strengthened by their naval service. But for many Navy veterans, being forged by the sea can also leave lasting physical and psychological effects.
At The VA Claims Lawyer, we believe honoring Navy veterans means more than thanking them for their service. It also means helping ensure that veterans living with service-connected disabilities have access to the VA benefits they earned.
“A veteran who files for disability benefits isn’t asking the government for a favor. These are benefits earned through service. When the VA gets a claim wrong, veterans deserve an advocate who will fight to make sure their evidence, their service and their rights are taken seriously.”
- Al Giordano, The VA Claims Lawyer
👉 Request your FREE VA benefits review today
The Birth and Legacy of the U.S. Navy
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized two armed vessels to intercept ships carrying supplies to British forces. That action became the foundation of what we now know as the United States Navy.
Since then, generations of Sailors have served around the world - during war and peace, aboard ships and submarines, in the air, on shore and in support of military, security and humanitarian missions.
Today’s Navy describes itself as a forward-deployed force charged with protecting the United States and helping keep vital ocean routes open.
That mission demands readiness, resilience and sacrifice from Sailors - and often from their families as well.
The Unique Demands of Naval Service
Life in the Navy can involve challenges unlike those encountered in most civilian careers. Depending on where, when and how a Sailor served, those demands may include:
Long deployments away from home and family
Working and sleeping in confined shipboard environments
Repeated exposure to loud machinery, engines, aircraft and weapons
Physically demanding work that can contribute to orthopedic injuries
Exposure to asbestos, fuels, chemicals and other potentially hazardous substances
High-stress assignments and traumatic events
Irregular schedules that can affect sleep and overall health
Frequent relocations and extended periods away from established support networks
Some conditions develop during service. Others may not become apparent until years or even decades later.
That is one reason Navy veterans should not automatically assume that too much time has passed to investigate whether a medical condition may be connected to military service.
The Families Who Serve Alongside Sailors
Naval service affects more than the individual wearing the uniform.
Spouses may spend months managing households and raising children while a Sailor is deployed. Children may experience birthdays, holidays, graduations and other milestones without a parent at home.
Frequent Permanent Change of Station moves can also mean new schools, disrupted careers for military spouses, new communities and distance from extended family.
When a veteran later develops a disabling condition, the effects can once again extend throughout the family. Chronic pain, PTSD, limited mobility and other service-connected conditions can affect a veteran’s ability to work, participate in family life and maintain financial stability.
VA disability benefits can therefore be an important source of support for eligible veterans and their families.
Common Long-Term Health Conditions Affecting Navy Veterans
There is no single “Navy disability.” The conditions a veteran may experience depend heavily on the circumstances of their individual service.
Some conditions and exposures that may be relevant to Navy veterans’ VA disability claims include:
Hearing loss and tinnitus associated with repeated exposure to high noise levels
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions associated with traumatic events or military experiences
Anxiety and depression
Sleep disorders
Back, neck, knee, shoulder and other musculoskeletal conditions
Chronic pain and mobility limitations
Asbestos-related illnesses, which may be relevant for some veterans who served aboard older vessels
Agent Orange and other herbicide-related conditions for qualifying veterans
Toxic exposure-related illnesses
Burn pit and Gulf War-related conditions for veterans whose service placed them in qualifying locations or circumstances
Importantly, federal law has expanded benefits for many veterans exposed to toxic substances. The PACT Act expanded VA health care and benefits related to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures.
Blue Water Navy Veterans and Agent Orange
Navy veterans who served offshore during the Vietnam War should pay particular attention to the rules governing herbicide exposure.
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act extended the presumption of herbicide exposure to qualifying veterans who served in offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. VA states that qualifying service can include service as far as 12 nautical miles from the shores of Vietnam.
For some Navy veterans who were previously denied benefits, changes in the law may provide grounds to take another look at a claim.
Why VA Disability Benefits Matter
VA disability compensation is not charity. It is a benefit available to eligible veterans whose disabilities are connected to their military service.
Those benefits can become especially important when a service-connected condition affects a veteran’s ability to work or carry out daily activities.
Yet obtaining benefits is not always simple.
A veteran may receive a denial because the VA finds there is insufficient evidence of a service connection, questions the medical evidence, assigns a disability rating the veteran believes does not reflect the severity of the condition, or reaches other conclusions with which the veteran disagrees.
A denial does not necessarily mean the process is over.
What Can a Navy Veteran Do After a VA Claim Denial?
Under the current VA decision-review system, veterans who disagree with a benefits decision may have three primary options:
Supplemental Claim: This may be appropriate when the veteran has new and relevant evidence that was not previously considered. A Supplemental Claim may also be used in certain circumstances when a change in law creates a new basis for review.
Higher-Level Review: A veteran can ask a higher-level VA reviewer to reconsider the decision based on the existing record. Veterans cannot submit new evidence in a Higher-Level Review.
Board Appeal: A veteran may appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and have a Veterans Law Judge review the case. Different Board review options determine whether new evidence or a hearing will be part of the appeal.
Deadlines matter. VA states that, for most benefits, veterans generally have one year from the date on the decision letter to request a Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal. A Supplemental Claim can generally be filed later, but filing within one year can be important for preserving a potential effective date. Because the right strategy depends on the evidence, procedural history and circumstances of the individual claim, veterans should consider obtaining guidance before selecting a review option.
The Importance of Advocacy for Navy Veterans
A strong VA disability claim isn’t simply about having a diagnosis. The evidence must establish the elements required for benefits under VA law.
Depending on the claim, that can mean documenting the veteran’s diagnosis, military service, in-service event or exposure, severity of the disability and connection between the condition and service.
For Navy veterans, service records may also help establish where a veteran served, what duties were performed, potential exposures or circumstances surrounding an injury or traumatic event.
When a claim has already been denied, understanding why the VA denied it is an important first step. An experienced VA disability attorney can review the decision, identify potential weaknesses or errors and determine which review or appeal path may be appropriate.
Honoring More Than 250 Years of Naval Service
On October 13, we honor the generations of Sailors who have served our country.
We remember those who deployed far from home, those who served aboard ships and submarines for months at a time, those who worked on flight decks and in engine rooms, and those whose military service continues to affect their health today.
Forged by the Sea represents strength, resilience and a tradition of service. For veterans living with the lasting consequences of that service, honoring that tradition should also mean ensuring they have a fair opportunity to pursue the benefits they earned.
Was Your VA Disability Claim Denied?
Talk to The VA Claims Lawyer
If you are a Navy veteran dealing with a service-connected disability - or if the VA denied your disability claim - you do not have to figure out the next step alone.
The VA Claims Lawyer can review your case, examine the reasons for the VA’s decision and help determine the appropriate path forward.
Deadlines can affect your appeal rights and potentially your effective date, so don’t put a denial letter aside and assume there is nothing more you can do.
Call The VA Claims Lawyer today at 877-VET-FILE (877-838-3453) or 850-542-7985 for a free VA case evaluation.
Your service mattered. Your claim matters. Let us fight for the VA benefits you earned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navy Veterans and VA Disability Benefits
When should I contact a VA claims lawyer?
Consider speaking with a VA-accredited attorney if your disability claim has been denied, you disagree with your disability rating or effective date, your case involves a complicated service-connection issue, or you are unsure which VA decision-review option to pursue.
Can I appeal a denied VA disability claim?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances and timing of your case, options may include a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Why are VA disability claims denied?
Claims can be denied for many reasons, including insufficient evidence of a current disability, inadequate evidence connecting a condition to military service, or other evidentiary or legal issues. The specific reason should be explained in the VA’s decision letter.
Can Navy veterans receive VA benefits for toxic exposure
Potentially. Eligibility depends on the veteran’s service, location, dates, exposure and medical condition. The PACT Act expanded VA benefits and health care for many veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits and other toxic substances.
Can Blue Water Navy veterans qualify for Agent Orange-related benefits?
Yes, some can. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act extended the presumption of herbicide exposure to veterans who meet qualifying service requirements in offshore waters of Vietnam.
Learn More About VA Disability Claims and Benefits
Navy veterans may face service-connected conditions ranging from hearing loss and PTSD to illnesses associated with Agent Orange and other toxic exposures. If you or a family member is navigating a VA disability claim, these resources can help you learn more:
Agent Orange Exposure
Filing VA Claims for Agent Orange Exposure: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn about Agent Orange presumptive conditions, eligibility and filing a VA disability claim related to herbicide exposure.
PACT Act & Toxic Exposure
What Exactly Does the PACT Act Do for Veterans?
Learn how the PACT Act expanded VA benefits and health care for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
PACT Act Claims Updates (2025)
Review important information about PACT Act claims, toxic exposure and what veterans can do when a claim is denied.
PTSD & Service-Connected Disabilities
From Service to Sacrifice: The Army’s Legacy and Delayed PTSD in Veterans
Learn why PTSD symptoms can sometimes emerge months or years after military service and how veterans may pursue VA disability benefits.
The Most Common VA Disabilities: A Guide for Veterans
Explore common service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus and musculoskeletal conditions.
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
Understanding VA Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Learn about VA disability benefits for veterans experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus related to military noise exposure.
Denied VA Claims & Appeals
My VA Claim Was Denied; What Are My Options? How to Choose the Right VA Disability Lawyer
Understand why VA disability claims may be denied, what options may be available after a denial and how a VA disability lawyer can help.
What to Expect When Appealing a Low Disability Rating
Learn what veterans can do when they believe the VA assigned a disability rating that does not accurately reflect the severity of their service-connected condition.
