Veterans Health Programs
Agent Orange
Thousands of servicemembers and civilians were exposed to 20 million gallons of herbicides during the Vietnam War, including Agent Orange, which was later found to be a carcinogen. The herbicide was sprayed by plane over dense jungle areas to kill foliage and underbrush that enemy forces could hide in. Agent Orange and its counterparts, Agent Blue, Purple, Pink, White and Green, have been found to cause numerous adverse health conditions.
The following diseases and conditions are recognized by the VA as occurring from Agent Orange exposure:
- Chloracne
- Chronic lymphocytic eukemia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
- Lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea cancer
-
Soft-tissue sarcomas
The VA offers medical examinations and testing through its Agent Orange Registry program. The testing includes a physical examination, X-rays, blood tests and urinalysis. From the results of these tests, the health status of veterans are determined and then entered into the registry. Veterans are then advised of their results through a personal consultation and provided with free treatment for service-connected medical conditions.
Filing Claims
To file a claim for medical benefits and pension, the VA requires that a veteran prove:
- Competent evidence of service in Vietnam.
- Diagnosis with a disease that the VA associates with Agent Orange exposure.
- Evidence that the ailment began within the deadlines set by the VA (if any are applicable).
