Agent Orange Exposure And VA Disability Compensation

If a veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam can be entitled to disability compensation through the VA. However, they must be discharged under eligible condition(s) other than dishonorable.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to establish evidence that your illness or disability is associated with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. As a result, for several years, veterans suffering from illnesses caused by Agent Orange were denied VA disability compensation.

Here you’ll learn about Agent Orange exposure and the VA disability compensation approved for it.

Explaining Agent Orange

Agent Orange got the name from an orange recognizing stripe on the gallon drums where it was stored. During Operation Ranch Hand, Agent Orange was utilized to remove trees that gave enemy cover. The U.S. Department of Defense created these herbicides for battle operations. They gave off a human carcinogenic byproduct called the dioxin TCDD. Agent Orange can dry quickly and is considered harmless once it breaks down.

However, while it’s still toxic, the chemical can be severe and long-term. Some cancer types and other serious health problems have been related to Agent Orange exposure and other herbicides. Veterans who served in Vietnam or elsewhere exposed to Agent Orange may be eligible for VA disability compensation.

Presumptive Service Connection

A veteran with a presumptive service connection can easily qualify for VA disability compensation than proving a direct military service connection. It is because a veteran doesn’t have to prove any incident or disease caused by Agent Orange exposure for presumptive service connection.

If any veteran has certain illnesses, the VA “presumes” Agent Orange exposure caused that disease, as long as there's no evidence that any other exposure caused your illness. According to the Agent Orange Act(1991), the VA now considers some cancer types and other illnesses as Agent Orange exposure-related. It means that a veteran with these eligible diseases may qualify for VA compensation under presumptive service connection.

How Veterans Qualify Presumptive Service Connection For Agent Orange?

To qualify, veterans must prove the following:

• Service in Vietnam from 01/09/1962 to 05/07/1975;
• Current diagnosis of any of the illnesses or residuals that the VA considers as Agent Orange exposure-related;
• The disease rated at least 10 percent or higher; and
• For some diseases, the issues developed during certain periods after the last day of your service in Vietnam.

How Veterans Can Apply For Agent Orange Exposure VA Compensation 

Veterans can utilize the fast-track processing system for Agent Orange if they are applying first time for VA disability benefits for any of the following medical conditions:

• Prostate Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• B-Cell Leukemias Including Hairy Cell
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Parkinson's Disease
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

However, if you're applying for Agent Orange disease compensation(not considered presumptive) or have already applied for compensation due to the above conditions, you can apply online or at your nearest local VA office.

Disability Compensation For Agent Orange Exposure-Related Illnesses

A veteran who served in Vietnam from 01/09/1962 to 05/07/1965 is recognized to have been exposed to Agent Orange.

These military veterans don’t have to show a connection between their illness and service, making the VA disability claims process faster.

VA disability compensation that you can qualify for Agent Orange exposure-related diseases includes:

• A registry health exam for Agent Orange
• General VA disability benefits
• Education
• Healthcare benefits
• Rehabilitation
• Home loans

An exposed veteran's dependent(s) can also be entitled to benefits. It involves the biological children of a Vietnam veteran suffering from birth defects and the parents and spouses of a living veteran.

Surviving spouses, dependent parents, and children of an exposed veteran who died from Agent Orange exposure may also qualify for VA compensation.