Thanks for the reply Dr. Motola.

I already knew about the VA and everything.

What I need is an answer to "could I have been exposed to Agent Orange when I boarded the ship from it's arrival from Viet Nam?"

The ship reprosessed water from the seas and harbors in Viet Nam.

It has been proven that the waters around Viet Nam were contaminated with AO.

It has also been proven that the bacteria from Agent Orange could not be completely removed from ships that sailed those waters.

I DRANK FROM THE WATER SUPPLY OF THAT SHIP FOR THREE CONTINUANCE  YEARS.

The VA approves disablity/compensation for service who "just stepped one foot on the gound in Viet Nam and then got back on a airplane."

I KNOW (FOR CERTAIN) OF THREE OTHER MEN IN MY DIVISION WHO ENDED UP WITH PROSTATE CANCER. ONE DIED LAST YEAR.

I NEVER WENT TO VIET NAM....I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT "MORE LIKELY NOT NOT, THAT I WAS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE WHILE LIVING ABOARD THE SHIP?

THANK YOU.

I am sorry to report that My DAD died August 27,2010 at 12:30 a.m.after a lengthly battlle with prostate cancer and Alzhimer's.  The VA did pay him 100% Componsation for the Prostate cancer they did not recognize the Alzhimers as a part of exposure to Agent orange in Vietnam. My Dad spent his whole illness in his home surrounded by his family that love him dearly and he died in his own bed in his house at peace thank GOD.  I would like to thank all the people who talked with me on this site and gave me help to fight the VA and anyone out there who is in a similar situatin should fight for the benifits. I went on the record for my Dad to show that both Prostate Cancer and Alzhimer's are due to exposure to agent orange even if the VA doesn't acknowledge it some day the will have to when the numbers keep showing that is does. 

Thank  you so much.

Debra