WASHINGTON — It’s not often Democrats and Republicans agree on legislation in the House and Senate. This year about 66 bills have been signed into law, with a handful, about seven bills passed, that revolve around one topic lawmakers seem to have a soft spot for veterans.

One bill in particular is sponsored and co-sponsored by California’s left and right, called the Blue Water Navy Veterans bill. 

Those who served in the Navy during Vietnam, also known as Blue Water Navy Veterans, face a somewhat different set of circumstances.

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They spent their time aboard deep-water U.S. Navy vessels, but they didn’t dock or set foot on land in Vietnam. That’s why accessing VA benefits has traditionally been a bit trickier.

California is home is 2 million veterans, about a tenth of the nation’s veteran population. One couple said their lives could change drastically because of this bill, as they fight to overcome health problems they believe originated from the Vietnam War. 

“Oh man it’s nice out here today, real nice!,” said Roger Arrington, a Vietnam veteran. He takes walks every now and then to help with this health but also to clear his mind from past trauma.

He says he has nightmares, falling off the bed and running into closets. The nightmares stem from his time on the USS Navasota, where Arrington served in the Vietnam War. His job was to fuel and refuel ships off the coast.

“Now I was over here,” he said. “In Yankee Station which is just off the coast of Da Nang.”

A worse problem came later, when Arrington started feeling weaker, struggling with poorer vision. He soon realized he had Diabetes Type II, one of several diseases caused by Agent Orange.

“This is the bag I keep my tools in,” said Arrington, who needed to start checking his blood sugar levels every day. “Now the hard part is sticking yourself.” 

As his health and money was dwindling, he filed to receive benefits as a Blue Water Navy Veteran exposed to Agent Orange, but that same year, in 2008, his claim was denied. He and his wife Sidney were disappointed together. They have been married for 23 years. 

“They don’t understand,” said Sidney, referring to the Department of Veteran Affairs. “They don’t live with a vet. They don’t know what they go through, but their wives do.”

Arrington never wanted her to feel his pain. 

"I'm so proud of him,” said Sidney. "He’s fighting every day.”

But this year, they felt hope together. Congress unanimously passed the Blue Water Navy Veterans bill, introduced by California Democratic Representative Mark Takano. It was co-sponsored by several fellow California Republicans and signed into law. It allows ill veterans who fought off the coast of Vietnam to receive compensation for diseases presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange. So the Arringtons filed their claim, again this year.

“And he said ‘Hun, you think it’s going to go through this time? You think they’re going to do it?’”, said Sidney. But they haven’t heard back yet. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie issued a "stay"  on the bill, delaying the process of claims into the new year. Congressmen and veterans have pushed back, pleading for the VA to get rid of the delay, if only for the severely ill veterans. Wilkie explained he wants to make sure all the proper resources are in order before starting to allow any claims from coming into the department. For now, there is no indication of the delay going away.