Agent orange exposure and disability compensation | veterans affairs

IF YOU HAVE A CANCER OR ILLNESS THAT’S NOT ON OUR LIST OF PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS, but you believe it was caused by Agent Orange exposure, you can still file a claim for VA disability

benefits. But you’ll need to submit more evidence. Keep reading to learn about service requirements and supporting evidence. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESUMPTION OF EXPOSURE We base

eligibility for VA disability compensation benefits, in part, on whether you served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange. We call this having a presumption of exposure. You have a

presumption of exposure if you meet at least one of these service requirements. BETWEEN JANUARY 9, 1962, AND MAY 7, 1975, YOU MUST HAVE SERVED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME IN AT LEAST ONE OF THESE

LOCATIONS: * In the Republic of Vietnam, OR * Aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam, OR * On a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles

seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia OR YOU MUST HAVE SERVED IN AT LEAST ONE OF THESE LOCATIONS THAT WE’VE ADDED BASED ON THE PACT ACT: * Any U.S. or Royal

Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976, OR  * Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969, OR * Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham

Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969, OR * Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980, OR *

Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977 OR AT LEAST ONE OF THESE MUST BE TRUE FOR YOU: * You served in or near the Korean

DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971, OR * You served in an Air Force unit location where a C-123 aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and

had repeated contact with this aircraft due to your flight, ground, or medical duties, OR * You were involved in transporting, testing, storing, or other uses of Agent Orange during your

military service FOR MORE SERVICE REQUIREMENT DETAILS, REVIEW THESE SOURCES: Public Law 116-23 (Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019) on Congress.gov Air Force specialty codes and

units for affected C-123 aircraft Dates and locations of herbicide tests and storage outside Vietnam (VA public health website)  ------------------------- HOW TO GET DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR

AGENT ORANGE-RELATED CLAIMS HOW DO I FILE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION? IF YOU HAVEN’T FILED A CLAIM YET FOR THE PRESUMPTIVE CONDITION You can file a new claim online now. You can also file by

mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional. File for disability compensation online Learn about other ways to file a disability compensation claim Learn how to submit your

intent to file IF WE DENIED YOUR DISABILITY CLAIM IN THE PAST AND WE NOW CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION PRESUMPTIVE You can file a Supplemental Claim. We’ll review your case again. Find out how to

file a Supplemental Claim WHAT EVIDENCE WILL I NEED TO SUBMIT WITH MY CLAIM? YOU’LL NEED TO SUBMIT THESE RECORDS: * A medical record that shows you have an Agent Orange-related health

condition, AND * Military records to show how you were exposed to Agent Orange during your service IF YOUR CONDITION ISN’T ON THE LIST OF PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS, YOU’LL ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE

AT LEAST ONE OF THESE TYPES OF EVIDENCE: * Evidence that shows the problem started during—or got worse because of—your military service, OR * Scientific or medical evidence stating that the

condition you have is caused by Agent Orange. Scientific proof may include an article from a medical journal or a published research study. Get your VA medical records online WHAT MILITARY

RECORDS WILL I NEED TO SUBMIT? You’ll need to submit your discharge or separation papers that show your time and location of service. These may include your DD214 or other separation

documents. For certain claims, you may also need more supporting documents.