Agent Orange VA Claims: Presumptive Conditions and Exposure Locations in 2026
If you served in Vietnam, Thailand, the Korean DMZ, or other covered locations during the herbicide spraying era, the VA presumes you were exposed to Agent Orange. That means if you have one of the 17 recognized presumptive conditions, you can receive disability compensation without needing to prove that Agent Orange caused your illness. The presumption does the heavy lifting for you.
What Presumptive Means: You do NOT need a nexus letter or medical opinion linking your condition to Agent Orange. If you served in a covered location during the covered time period and have a presumptive condition, the VA assumes the connection. You just need a current diagnosis.
What Was Agent Orange?
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide containing dioxin (TCDD), one of the most toxic substances ever created. The U.S. military sprayed approximately 19 million gallons across Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 to clear jungle foliage and destroy enemy crops. Veterans were exposed through direct contact during spraying, by walking through sprayed areas, drinking contaminated water, and breathing contaminated air.
Dioxin persists in the environment for decades and accumulates in human fat tissue. It has been linked to cancers, diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders, and a range of other serious health conditions.
Covered Exposure Locations
Vietnam (January 9, 1962 - May 7, 1975)
If you served anywhere in the Republic of Vietnam during this period, the VA presumes exposure. This includes:
- Ground service: Any boots-on-ground service anywhere in Vietnam
- Inland waterways: Service on ships operating on rivers, canals, and deltas
- Territorial seas: Service within 12 nautical miles of the coast (Blue Water Navy)
- Air missions: Air crew who flew missions over Vietnam
You do not need to prove you were near areas where Agent Orange was sprayed. Service anywhere in Vietnam during this period establishes presumptive exposure.
Thailand (January 9, 1962 - May 7, 1975)
The PACT Act added presumptive exposure for veterans at U.S. or Royal Thai military bases including:
- U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield
- Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Bases
Korean DMZ (September 1, 1968 - August 31, 1971)
Veterans who served in units in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone during this period are presumed exposed.
Other Locations
The PACT Act also covers service in Laos, Cambodia (1962-1975), Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island where herbicides were stored or used.
Blue Water Navy Veterans
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 extended presumptive exposure to Navy and Coast Guard personnel who served on ships within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's coast. If you were denied before 2019, you need to file a new claim.
Blue Water Navy Veterans: Do Not Wait. The VA will not automatically review old denials. If you served offshore Vietnam and were previously denied, you must file a new claim citing the Blue Water Navy Act. Every month you wait is money you are leaving on the table.
The 17 Presumptive Conditions
Cancers
- Respiratory cancers: Lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea
- Prostate cancer: All prostate cancers
- Bladder cancer: Added by the PACT Act
- Chronic B-cell leukemias: Including hairy cell leukemia
- Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma)
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Soft tissue sarcomas: Excluding osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and mesothelioma
Cardiovascular
- Ischemic heart disease: Including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and angina (rated 10%-100%)
- Hypertension: High blood pressure
Metabolic and Endocrine
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus: One of the most common Agent Orange claims (rated 20%-100%)
- Hypothyroidism: Added by the PACT Act
Neurological
- Parkinson's disease: Minimum 30% rating, often progressing to 100%
- Early-onset peripheral neuropathy: Must manifest within one year of exposure
Other
- AL amyloidosis
- Chloracne: Must manifest within one year of exposure
- Porphyria cutanea tarda: Must manifest within one year of exposure
Time Limits
Most Agent Orange conditions have no time limit and can appear decades after service. Three exceptions must appear within one year: chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy.
Secondary Conditions: Do Not Leave Money on the Table
Agent Orange presumptive conditions often cause additional secondary conditions that are separately ratable. Many veterans file for their primary condition but miss significant secondary claims.
From Type 2 Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy (diabetic neuropathy)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Vision problems and retinopathy
- Kidney disease
- Foot problems
From Ischemic Heart Disease
- Sleep apnea
- Mental health conditions (anxiety from chronic heart condition)
- Erectile dysfunction
From Cancer Treatments
- Peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy
- Chronic fatigue and pain
- Depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment
Each secondary condition requires its own claim with a medical nexus linking it to your service-connected primary condition. These can substantially increase your combined rating.
Example: A Vietnam veteran with Type 2 diabetes (20%) who also claims diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both legs (20% each), erectile dysfunction (0% with Special Monthly Compensation), and depression secondary to chronic illness (30%) could see their combined rating jump from 20% to 70% or higher. That is the difference between $342/month and $1,716/month.
How to File an Agent Orange Claim
Step 1: Confirm Your Service Location
Check your DD-214 for Vietnam, Thailand, or Korean DMZ service dates. For Blue Water Navy, your DD-214 showing assignment to a ship during Vietnam-era dates is usually sufficient.
Step 2: Get a Current Diagnosis
You need a medical diagnosis of a presumptive condition. If you suspect a condition but have not been diagnosed, see your doctor first. The VA cannot service-connect without a confirmed diagnosis.
Step 3: File Your Claim
File online at VA.gov using Form 21-526EZ. Specifically mention:
- Your service in a covered location
- That you are claiming an Agent Orange presumptive condition
- The specific condition(s) you are claiming
Upload your DD-214 and medical records. You do not need a nexus opinion or evidence of direct exposure.
Step 4: Attend the C&P Exam
The VA will schedule a C&P exam to assess severity for rating purposes. The examiner should not question whether your condition is service-connected (the presumption handles that). Be thorough in describing symptoms and functional limitations, as the rating depends on severity.
Step 5: Review Your Decision
Verify that presumptive service connection was granted, the rating percentage matches your symptoms, and the effective date is correct. If denied, appeal. Many denials occur because the examiner incorrectly applied evidence standards to presumptive claims.
Common Mistakes
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Not filing because "I wasn't near spraying": The presumption covers ALL service in Vietnam. You do not need to prove direct exposure.
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Waiting too long to get diagnosed: File an Intent to File now to protect your effective date, then get evaluated and diagnosed.
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Missing secondary conditions: Claim diabetes but missing neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and other secondaries. Claim everything.
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Assuming a denial is final: Many Agent Orange denials are overturned on appeal, especially for newer covered locations like Thailand.
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Filing only one condition: If you have diabetes AND heart disease AND cancer, file for all of them. Each is rated separately and combines to increase your total rating.
Birth Defects in Children
Children of Vietnam veterans may be eligible for VA benefits for certain birth defects associated with Agent Orange exposure, including spina bifida. Benefits are paid directly to the child or parent and include monetary allowances and VA healthcare coverage.
Next Steps
Do not wait to file. Use the Veterans Benefits Finder to see how Agent Orange conditions and their secondary effects could affect your total disability rating and the benefits available to you and your family.
Take Action Now: If you served in a covered location and have any of the 17 presumptive conditions, file today. Start with an Intent to File to lock in your effective date, then complete your claim with your diagnosis. Complete your benefits profile to see every benefit available at your rating.
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