When the US Army sprayed a high amount of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, they didn’t know that it contained dioxins. They used it as just a herbicide to clear out vegetation and remove enemy covers. Had they known its harmfulness, the number of affected locations would have been lesser.
Between 1962 and 1971, the US military used more than 19 gallons of Agent Orange in different parts of Southeast Asia. Hence, the list of affected locations is very high. If a veteran served in these locations at the time and got exposed to the agent, causing disabilities, they are eligible for PACT Act service.
So, let’s check out the Agent Orange-affected locations in this article to ensure whether your service area was a part of it.
How the PACT Act Affected the VA’s List of Agent Orange Locations
VA had a list of locations where Agent Orange exposure happened, and any veteran who served in those locations could get their disabilities as presumptive. However, the list was short, and many valid areas were not in it.
However, starting in 2021, after the PACT Act came into practice, VA added five new locations to that list. Of course, each entry in the list also includes a specific timeframe for the veteran’s service to count it as Agent Orange exposure.
Aside from all these, the PACT Act also added 23 conditions to the presumptive list and many other new locations from different wars and Post-9/11 combat in the location-time lists.
At present, some of the entries in this list are Guam, Cambodia, Johnston Atoll, Thailand, American Samoa, and Laos.
Agent Orange Exposure Presumption Locations and Times
If you have served in any of the following locations at specific times, the VA may consider your disability as presumptive-
- Any Royal Thai or US military base in Thailand for any duration between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976.
- American Samoa, Guam, or within the waters of their territory for any duration between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980.
- Laos for any duration between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976.
- Johnston Atoll or on any ship called at that place between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977.
- Minot, Cambodia or Krek, Kampong Cham Province for any duration between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969.
- Between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975 (for any duration) in the Republic of Vietnam, on any US army vessel operating within the inland waterways of Vietnam or within 12 nautical miles seaward from the borders of Vietnam and Cambodia.
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for any duration between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971.
Additionally, the following services also count in the list-
- You served in any Air Force Unit with any C-123 aircraft that contained traces of Agent Orange, where you had so much contact with that aircraft during your service (flight, carrying objects, cleanup, etc.)
- You were a reservist at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio, as a member of the 906th or 907th tactical Air group or 355th or 356th Tactical Airlift Squadrons from 1969 to 1986.
- You were a reservist at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, as a member of the 731st Tactical Air Squadron, 901st Organizational Maintenance Squadron, or 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from 1972 to 1982.
- You were a reservist at Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania, in the 758th Airlift Squadron from 1972 to 1982.
- Your service involved the testing, transportation, or storing of Agent Orange.
List of Units Exposed to Agent Orange in Korea
A very sad part is that many veterans who served in the demilitarized zone in Korea and got exposed to Agent Orange don’t get the recognition as Vietnam veterans. It is such because the latter was a large-scale war and more popular in public.
However, lots of veterans who served in Korea had almost as many problems, disabilities, and others to deal with as the Vietnam veterans. Below is a list of units that got Agent Orange exposure in Korea-
- 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry
- 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry
- 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry
- 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry
- 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry (any service record can show 2nd or 7th Infantry Division).
- 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry
- 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry
- 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry
- 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor
- 1st Battalion, 73rd Armor
- 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor
- 3rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division
- 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry
- 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Counter Agent Company
- Combat Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division
- 1st Battalion, 12th Artillery
- 1st Battalion, 15th Artillery
- 5th Battalion, 38th Artillery
- 6th Battalion, 37th Artillery
- 7th Battalion, 17th Artillery
- 2nd Infantry Division
- United Nations Command Security Battalion – Joint Security Area (UNCSB – JSA)
- 2nd Military Police Company
- 13th Engineer Combat Battalion
- USS Pueblo crew
Conclusion
If you are a veteran who served in any of the above units, locations, and times and have developed disabilities because of your service, it is time to report that to the VA. Before informing the VA of a claim, we recommend getting an eligibility review from us. Our team at VA Disability Coach can check your eligibility factors in getting compensation for a presumptive condition.