Diseases Associated with Agent Orange
Diseases recognized by the VA as associated with (but not necessarily caused by) Agent Orange exposure are outlined in the latest Agent Orange Review Newsletter.
Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits for certain diseases associated to exposure to herbicides. Presently, Presumptive Service Connected Conditions linked to Agent Orange include:
Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
A nervous system condition that causes tingling, numbness, and motor weakness. Under the VA's ratings regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides and resolve within two years after the date it began.
AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when a protein, amyloid, enters tissues of organs.
Chloracne (or similar Acneform disease)
A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's ratings regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
A type of cancer which affects white blood cells. VA's regulation recognizing all chronic B-cell leukemias as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
A disease characterize by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body's inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.
Hodgkin's Disease
A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterize by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
Ischemic Heart Disease
A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain. VA's regulation recognizing Ischemic Heart Disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Multiple Myeloma
A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue.
Parkinson's Disease
A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement. VA's regulation recognizing Parkinson's heart disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under the VA's ratings regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men.
Respiratory Cancers
Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is NOT associated with Agent Orange exposure. However, VA has recognized ALS diagnosed in Veterans with 90 days or more of continuous active service in the military was caused by their military service. Learn about benefits for ALS, including VA health care benefits and disability compensation and other non health benefits.
Spina Bifida
The children of Vietnam Veterans who have developed spina bifida are eligible for certain benefits and services. The VA provides certain benefits, including health care, to children with birth defects born to female Vietnam Veterans.
Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits for certain diseases associated to exposure to herbicides. Presently, Presumptive Service Connected Conditions linked to Agent Orange include:
Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
A nervous system condition that causes tingling, numbness, and motor weakness. Under the VA's ratings regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides and resolve within two years after the date it began.
AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when a protein, amyloid, enters tissues of organs.
Chloracne (or similar Acneform disease)
A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's ratings regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
A type of cancer which affects white blood cells. VA's regulation recognizing all chronic B-cell leukemias as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
A disease characterize by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body's inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.
Hodgkin's Disease
A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterize by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
Ischemic Heart Disease
A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain. VA's regulation recognizing Ischemic Heart Disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Multiple Myeloma
A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue.
Parkinson's Disease
A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement. VA's regulation recognizing Parkinson's heart disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under the VA's ratings regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men.
Respiratory Cancers
Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is NOT associated with Agent Orange exposure. However, VA has recognized ALS diagnosed in Veterans with 90 days or more of continuous active service in the military was caused by their military service. Learn about benefits for ALS, including VA health care benefits and disability compensation and other non health benefits.
Spina Bifida
The children of Vietnam Veterans who have developed spina bifida are eligible for certain benefits and services. The VA provides certain benefits, including health care, to children with birth defects born to female Vietnam Veterans.
Filing a Claim
Got questions about filing a claim?
VA FAST TRACK
The three presumptive conditions for which you can submit a claim through the Fast Track Claims Processing System are Ischemic Heart Disease, Hairy Cell or other B-Cell Leukemias, and Parkinson's disease. If you have not yet filed, you need to do so right now.
Go here for a good Q&A resource regarding the VA's FAST TRACK program.
- Check out the VA Guide on Agent Orange Claims;
- Contact a Veteran Field Service Officer in your area. Call your local Disabled American Veterans office, County government offices, VFW Posts, etc., for the names and numbers of these valuable resources.
VA FAST TRACK
The three presumptive conditions for which you can submit a claim through the Fast Track Claims Processing System are Ischemic Heart Disease, Hairy Cell or other B-Cell Leukemias, and Parkinson's disease. If you have not yet filed, you need to do so right now.
Go here for a good Q&A resource regarding the VA's FAST TRACK program.