Agent Orange

Between 1961 and 1971, the U.S. military in South Vietnam used more than 19 million gallons of herbicides for defoliation and crop destruction. The VA has established a web site, specifically dedicated to the issue of Agent Orange. You can also find out more about Agent Orange by reading our Agent Orange FAQ.

According to the Agent Orange General Information Brochure - July 2003 Adobe Acrobat File, the number of diseases that VA has recognized as associated with (but not necessarily caused by) Agent Orange exposure has expanded considerably during the 1990’s. The following conditions are recognized for service-connection for these veterans: chloracne (a skin disorder), porphyria cutanea tarda, acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy (a nerve disorder), type 2 diabetes, and numerous cancers [non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and respiratory cancers (including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus)]. VA is in the process of adding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to this list. [editorial note: chronic lymphocytic leukemia has been added to the list effective Oct 16, 2003] In addition, Vietnam veterans’ children with the birth defect spina bifida are eligible for certain benefits and services. Furthermore, VA now provides certain benefits, including health care, for children with birth defects who were born to female Vietnam veterans.

What this means is that, because you were there, you are entitled to benefits if you suffer from any of these diseases. You don't have to prove exposure, nor do you have to prove that the disease is connected to Agent Orange. Here, again, is the list of diseases:

If you suffer from any of those diseases, you are elegible for benefits from the VA. Even if you don't suffer from any of those, it's a really good idea to get a free screening examination from the VA to get yourself into the system. It will make obtaining benefits later much easier.