Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation | Veterans Affairs (2024)

Full eligibility requirements

We determine eligibility based on the facts of each Veteran’s claim. But we assume (or “presume”) that certain cancers and other illnesses are caused by Agent Orange. We call these presumptive conditions. And we assume that Veterans who served in certain locations were exposed to Agent Orange. We refer to this as presumptive exposure.

Requirements for Agent Orange presumptive diseases

We consider a condition presumptive when it’s established by law or regulation. If you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, you don’t need to prove that it started during—or got worse because of—your military service.

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 forVA 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 on active duty in a regular 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, or
• You were assigned as a Reservist to certain flight, ground, or medical crew duties at one of thelocations listed here

Eligible Reserve locations, time periods,and units include:

• Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio, 1969 to 1986 (906th and 907th Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th Tactical Airlift Squadrons)
• Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, 1972 to 1982 (731st Tactical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, or 901st Organizational Maintenance Squadron)
• Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania, 1972 to 1982 (758th Airlift Squadron)

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 (PDF)

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 ofevidence:

• Evidence that showsthe problem started during—or got worse because of—your military service, or
• Scientific or medical evidence stating that the conditionyou 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.

Request your military service records

More questions about getting benefits

Last updated: August 10, 2023