Agent Orange Exposure and VA Disability Benefits: Complete Guide

If you served in Vietnam during the war, you likely were exposed to Agent Orange—a toxic herbicide sprayed across Vietnam and Cambodia that contains dioxin, one of the most dangerous chemicals ever created.

The VA recognizes Agent Orange exposure and awards presumptive conditions without requiring you to prove service connection. This guide explains your benefits and how to claim them.

Agent Orange Exposure: What You Need to Know

What Is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is a herbicide mixture (approximately 50% 2,4-D and 50% 2,4,5-T with dioxin contaminant) sprayed by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to:

• Remove jungle cover where enemy forces hid
• Destroy crops that might feed combatants
• Increase visibility for military operations

Spraying occurred:

• Peak spraying: 1965-1969
• Total sprayed: Approximately 20 million gallons over Vietnam/Cambodia
• Area affected: Approximately 20% of Vietnam's land area

Who Was Exposed?

You're presumed exposed if you:

• Served in Vietnam at any time during 1962-1975 (including in-country support roles)
• Served in Cambodia near the Vietnam border during 1962-1975
• Served on military vessels operating in Vietnam coastal areas during 1962-1975
• Served in Thailand at the following air bases during 1962-1975:
  • U-Tapao Airfield
  • Nakhon Phanom Airfield
  • Udorn Royal Thai Airfield
  • Karat Airfield

Important: You don't need to prove you were directly sprayed. The VA presumes exposure based on service location and dates.

Presumptive Conditions for Agent Orange Exposure

The VA recognizes specific health conditions as presumptively service-connected if you were exposed to Agent Orange. This means:

• You don't need to prove the exposure caused the condition
• You don't need a medical nexus letter
• Service connection is automatic upon diagnosis

Diseases with Presumptive Service Connection

Cancers (diagnosed any time after exposure):

• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Skin cancer (except melanoma)
• Bladder cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)

Other conditions (diagnosed any time after exposure):

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Chloracne (or similar acneiform disease)
• Porphyria cutanea tarda
• Hypothyroidism (if served in Thailand at specific bases)

Non-Presumptive Conditions

Many veterans have other health conditions they believe are related to Agent Orange exposure:

• Heart disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Respiratory conditions
• Neurological disorders

These are not presumptive, but you can claim them if you have:

1. Current diagnosis
2. Medical evidence linking the condition to Agent Orange exposure (nexus letter)
3. Evidence of in-country service during exposure period

Filing a claim with a nexus letter is possible but requires stronger evidence than presumptive conditions.

How to File an Agent Orange Claim

Step 1: Verify Your Service

You need to prove you served in an area where Agent Orange was used during 1962-1975.

Evidence of service:

• DD-214 (discharge papers)
• Service records showing duty location and dates
• Military orders
• Travel records

Check your eligibility:

• Visit VA.gov and search "Agent Orange"
• Use IMDB (Interactive Medical Bulletin) to verify exposure
• Contact VA at 1-800-827-1000

Step 2: Get a Diagnosis

You must have a current medical diagnosis from a VA or private doctor:

• Schedule appointment with VA doctor or private provider
• Get diagnosis of one of the presumptive conditions
• Ask doctor to document the diagnosis clearly
• Get copy of diagnosis for your records

Step 3: File Your Claim

File using VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits):

• Online: VA.gov (fastest option)
• By mail: Mail to your VA regional office
• In person: VA regional office or VSO representative

What to include:

• Your name, SSN, date of birth
• Military service dates and location
• Your diagnosed condition
• Current medical evidence
• Explanation of service in Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand

Step 4: VA Reviews Your Claim

The VA will:

1. Verify your service location and dates
2. Confirm your service is during the Agent Orange exposure period
3. Review your medical evidence
4. Award presumptive service connection if eligibility is met

Timeline:

• Initial decision: 30-60 days for straightforward claims
• More complex: 60-120 days
• You can check status on VA.gov anytime

Agent Orange Rating and Benefits

Rating for Agent Orange Conditions

Conditions are rated using the VA rating schedule based on severity:

Type 2 Diabetes:

• 10% - Condition controlled by diet alone
• 20% - Controlled by oral medications
• 40% - Controlled by insulin injections
• Can be 60%+ if condition causes complications (neuropathy, kidney disease, etc.)

Cancers:

• Typically 100% while undergoing active treatment
• 0% after treatment if no complications
• Can be higher if cancer causes severe complications

Chloracne:

• 0-60% depending on extent and severity

Example Benefits

Type 2 Diabetes (20% rating):

• Monthly payment: $335
• Effective date: Date service-connected condition diagnosed (could be decades after service)
• Retroactive benefits: If diagnosed in 2020 but service-connected in 2024 = 4 years of retroactive pay

Lung Cancer (100% during treatment):

• Monthly payment: $3,737
• Retroactive to diagnosis date
• Continues while undergoing active treatment

Secondary Conditions from Agent Orange

If you have a presumptive Agent Orange condition, you can claim secondary conditions that develop from it.

Common Secondary Conditions

From Type 2 Diabetes:

• Heart disease (20-60%)
• Kidney disease/renal failure (20-60%)
• Neuropathy (20-40%)
• Diabetic retinopathy (10-20%)
• Hypertension (10-30%)

From Cancers:

• Secondary cancer
• Complications from surgery/treatment
• Psychological effects (depression, anxiety)

From Chloracne:

• Psychological effects (depression, anxiety from disfigurement)

Filing Secondary Conditions

• File Supplemental Claim for secondary conditions
• Provide medical nexus showing the secondary condition is caused by the primary Agent Orange condition
• Secondary conditions can significantly increase your overall rating

Real-World Benefits Examples

Example 1: Type 2 Diabetes with Complications

Veteran's situation:

• Vietnam service (1967-1969)
• Diagnosed Type 2 diabetes in 1995
• Developed kidney disease in 2010
• Developed neuropathy in 2018

Claims filed:

• Type 2 diabetes (presumptive): 20%
• Kidney disease (secondary): 40%
• Neuropathy (secondary): 20%
• Combined rating: 60%

Monthly benefits:

• $1,340/month ($16,080/year)

Retroactive benefits:

• Claim filed 2024 for conditions diagnosed 1995-2018
• Retroactive to earliest diagnostic date
• Example: $100,000+ in back pay if service-connected in 2024

Example 2: Prostate Cancer

Veteran's situation:

• Vietnam service (1965-1970)
• Diagnosed prostate cancer age 72 in 2022
• Undergoing chemotherapy treatment

Claims filed:

• Prostate cancer (presumptive): 100% (during treatment)

Monthly benefits:

• $3,737/month while undergoing active treatment
• Continues as long as receiving cancer treatment

Common Questions About Agent Orange Benefits

Do I need to prove Agent Orange caused my disease?

No. Presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation. Service in the exposure area + diagnosis = service connection.

How far back can I get retroactive benefits?

Retroactive benefits go back to your diagnosis date or service-connection filing date, whichever is earlier. Some veterans receive decades of back pay.

Can I claim diseases not on the presumptive list?

Yes, but you'll need a nexus letter from a medical provider explaining the connection to Agent Orange exposure. This is more difficult than presumptive claims.

My service records are lost—can I still file?

Yes. The VA recognizes many Vietnam service locations as presumptive Agent Orange exposure. You can file based on:

• DD-214
• VA records of service
• Your own testimony combined with other evidence
• Buddy statements

What if I served in Thailand at a non-listed air base?

Presumptive exposure only applies to specific Thai air bases. If you served elsewhere in Thailand, you'd need a nexus letter claiming exposure.

Can I claim if I worked in agent handling or equipment?

Yes. Direct exposure through handling or equipment maintenance increases severity claims, even if the basic presumptive condition applies to all Vietnam vets.

Filing Timeline and What to Expect

Month 1-2:

• File claim on VA.gov
• VA begins verification of service

Month 2-4:

• VA verifies service location and dates
• Medical records are reviewed
• Rating decision made

Month 4+:

• Rating decision letter received
• Retroactive benefits calculated
• Payment begins

Key Takeaways

✓ Agent Orange presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation ✓ Eligible if you served in Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand during 1962-1975 ✓ 13+ presumptive diseases recognized (mostly cancers and diabetes) ✓ Retroactive benefits can span decades since your diagnosis date ✓ Secondary conditions can be claimed from primary Agent Orange conditions ✓ File online at VA.gov for fastest processing ✓ No nexus letter needed for presumptive conditions ✓ Veterans with Type 2 diabetes often qualify for 20%+ rating with secondary conditions ✓ Cancer patients may qualify for 100% during active treatment