The deadly embrace of agent orange not only affects the veterans exposed to it but also may impact their children. Veterans who has served in Vietnam or close to Korean DMZ during a certain periods may have gotten Agent Orange exposure. Such veterans are eligible for VA disability benefits and the pact act claims.
Agent Orange is very dangerous and can cause a wide variety of symptoms, diseases, and even cancers. While there have been 14 diseases associated with this substance initially, their number increased. If you are a Vietnam War veteran with any of these diseases, you may get considered presumptive.
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What Is Agent Orange?
Agent Orange is a herbicide that the US Army used during the Vietnam War to remove any foliage to get rid of enemy covers. Its original chemicals are 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T of the chlorinated phenoxy acids. However, during its initial usage, the US Army wasn’t aware of its danger entirely.
US forces used these herbicides from 1962 to 1971, after which they banned its production and usage. But by that time, over 11 million gallons of it were used. 20 million acres of Vietnam were affected, and 3 million of the US army and 4 million of the Vietnamese army got exposed to it.
Aside from how it affects a victim’s body, another dangerous aspect of Agent Orange is that it lingers in the environment for years to come. Hence, the VA eligibility for Agent Orange claims is not limited to service time till 1972 but until 1975.
Symptoms of Agent Orange Exposure?
Your symptoms from Agent Orange may depend on the amount and duration of exposure. So, the signs may vary. Here are some common symptoms of Agent Orange-
- Fatigue
- Feelings of numbness, weakness, tingling, or developing swelling in the feet and hands.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Acne on the face.
- Tremors and Parkinson’s diseases.
- Easily getting infections.
Conditions and Diseases Caused by Agent Orange Exposure
Many diseases and conditions are currently associated with Agent Orange exposure, some directly, others secondary. However, some illnesses that researchers found linked to Agent Orange are yet to be added to the presumptive disease list by VA.
Some Agent Orange-related conditions are as follows
| The Initial 14 Conditions | Type |
| Al Amyloidosis | Amyloidosis Disorder |
| Chloracne | Skin Condition |
| Chronic B-Cell Leukemia | Cancer |
| Hodgkin’s lymphoma | Cancer |
| Ischemic heart disease | Heart Condition |
| Multiple Myeloma | Cancer |
| Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma | Cancer |
| Parkinson’s disease | Neurological Disorders |
| Peripheral neuropathy | Neurological Disorders |
| Porphyria cutanea tarda | Skin Condition |
| Prostate cancer | Cancer |
| Respiratory cancers | Cancer |
| Soft tissue sarcomas | Cancer-related |
| Type 2 diabetes mellitus | Diabetes |
Agent Orange and 2nd Generation Symptoms
One of the cruelest factors of Agent Orange exposure is its tendency to cause congenital disabilities, miscarriage, damage of the reproductive cells or organs, and such congenital disorders. Because of these reasons, their biological children may suffer from poor development, disorders from birth, and other such difficulties.
The issue stems from the TCDD dioxins present in the herbicide. When in the body, it can disrupt the healthy development of fetuses. It can also lead to spina bifida.
VA Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure
VA has several benefits to provide to veterans with Agent Orange exposure. For example-
- Presumptive Disabilities: If that veteran has any of the disabilities listed in the presumptive diseases, they will not need to gather and provide any evidence of the illness’ service connection. VA will examine the condition and give VA ratings accordingly.
- Pact Act: Agent Orange exposure makes veterans eligible for the Pact Act benefits. It includes advanced health care and medications. The treatment here is highly focused and centered on the veteran’s conditions to provide as much of an effective remedy as possible.
- 2nd Generation Healthcare: Biological offsprings of veterans with Agent Orange exposure may get healthcare too if they have developed certain conditions. Such illnesses include Poland syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cleft palate, congenital heart disease, etc.
- Registry Health Exam: The Registry Health Exam is open to Agent Orange-affected veterans. It is a free exam that gives them a detailed report of their health via advanced lab tests and experts. It may come in handy significantly later in life.
What Makes You Eligible for Agent Orange Benefits?
The following are the service eligibility factors for Agent Orange benefits. One must match at least one of the criteria below-
- Have served in Vietnam for any period between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
- Have served in the Korean DMZ between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971, for any period.
- Anyone who falls in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
- Have served in any US army vessel within the inland waterways of Vietnam.
- Exposed to Agent Orange or similar herbicides during the loading, transportation, or such activities during service time as part of active duty.
- Certain C-123 airplane crewmen can be eligible had they served between 1969 and 1986.
Conclusion
If you are a veteran or a child of a veteran suffering from service time Agent Orange exposure-related disabilities, you are eligible for VA healthcare. You can head to VA.gov and file your claim from there or do it through the mail. If you want to be sure of your eligibility factors, we at VA Disability Coach can arrange an eligibility review for you.