Vietnam
Vietnam: Agent Orange
Exposure to Agent Orange, the herbicide used to kill off dense plant life, caused multiple conditions in veterans of the Vietnam War. All Veterans who served a single day in Vietnam, are presumed exposed as a matter of law. Some veterans who served in Korea along the DMZ during the Vietnam War were also exposed. The following conditions have been identified as service-connected by the Veterans Administration:
- Acute and Sub-acute Peripheral Neuropathy
- AL Amyloidosis
- Chloracne (or Similar Acneform Disease)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
- Prostate Cancer
- Respiratory cancers
- Lung
- Bronchus
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Soft-tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s Sarcoma or Mesotheliorna)
On March 10, 2010, the VA published a proposed regulation to establish B-cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, and Ischemic heart disease, as associated with Agent Orange exposure. Any updates to this legislation or any new related legislation will be posted to www.AlphaDisability.com.
Apply for Benefits with an Alpha Advocate – Vets Helping Vets
If you think you have a condition that qualifies for Veterans Disability Compensation, the Alpha team can help you get started with your initial application to the VA.
If you do not receive a fully favorable decision from the VA, or you disagree with the percentage given to your disability, we can help you appeal for more.
It can take months, in many cases, years, for the VA to grant benefits. If you think you have a service-connected disability, or need help to prove that you do, the Alpha team is ready to help you.
Note: All representation coordinated by Alpha is provided by our employees, the Advocates, who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). No private organization that trains and employs accredited agents has been legally recognized by the VA for the purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. This work must be done by the Advocates themselves and not organizations.
Related Articles:
Three Diseases Added to Presumptive Conditions for Vietnam-era Veterans
Eligibility and Benefits Compensation Criteria
VA Rules that Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Must Prove Agent Orange Exposure
Veterans Disability Compensation – What is it?
More Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange in Korea Can Access VA Health Care and Disability Benefits
Vietnam Veteran Praises Alpha for being a Dedicated Veterans Advocacy Group
Agent Orange Use on Thailand Bases Supports Veterans Disability Claims
I checked in on your site to see if I would qualify, but didn't know how much room I had so here I wanted to add , 10 Disability for my right knee, surgery x3 and my left knee 1x. My nuropathy is very sever. I work for the MCLB Logistic Base Yermo Ca. but haven't worked but a week due to my two surgeies, and my Heart Catherization I recently had done. Thank you Dale
Dale, We would like to have one of our advocates contact you to discuss what actions you should take to get the most compensation payable for your unique level of disability. Please just fill out the contact form on this page. Thanks.
sir, I just reviewed your website and I would like to talk to someone in ref: to to increasing my compensation. I have been told by a private doctor and the VA hosp. in Richmond Va. that I have pulmonary fibrosis. In 2004 I filled a claim and was told it was not on the list and turned down. My VA medical show all of my problems. I need your help please.
We will attempt to contact you through your e-mail address. You may also submit information to us using the online form on this page or calling us at 877.611.7724.
Dear Allen, My name is Charles Loudermilk, My question is, I do receive 100% from Social Security Disability,and I receive 30% from PTSD and I was in Vietnam. I do have a lawyer out of California. Is there something you can do to help me get 100% from PTSD or just go ahead with the lawyer. Will the 100% from Social Security help me on the VA part? I have ringing of my ears which is caused of the medicine I take.I have peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities. Can I File on that? One of our own shot at me in VietNam and I rec. PTSD from flashbacks and nightmares. Thank You Very Much and GOD BLESS.
Charles, If you have not entered into a Fee Agreement with your lawyer, then we can help you. However, if you have done so, you should continue with your legal counsel. I can tell you that your Social Security disability is separate from your VA claim and has no influence on your case.
Dear Allen, Thank you very much for the information. Now my next question is Do I need to turn in my veterans disability $ in on taxes or is it tax free?
Charles, Veterans disability benefits are tax free.
Allen; Thanks so much!!!!! I owe you one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a vietnam veteran currently drawing 60 percent disability for the following problems: Tinnitus Hearing Loss PTSD On January 25, 2011, Dr. Mathews at the VA hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ( my primary care physician) diagnosed me with Diabetes Mellitus. Some have told me that any of the listed diseases caused by Agent Orange exposure are considered to be rated at 100 percent disability. Is this correct?
Warren, If your diabetes can be determined to be caused by Agent Orange exposure, then your condition would be considered service-connected. The rating of each of your conditions is determined by how severely each one affects daily living. Even though each one may be listed as a presumptive condition caused by Agent Orange, that doesn’t mean each condition would be rated at 100 percent. However, if you are unable to work because of your disabilities you could be eligible for a 100 percent rating based on individual unemployability.
My husband was in Vietnam and passed away, 2.5 yrs ago. He was diagnosed as having copd, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, respiratory conditions,etc. Am I, or his 14 yr old son eligible for any benefits?
Very sorry for your loss. We think you and your son are eligible for DIC benefits. We encourage you contact us so that we can help you file a cliam as soon as possible.
I am seeking some help for my husband. He has some serious nerve damage issues: chronic fatigue syndrome, firbomyalgia, myasthania gravis. These have become steadily worse since his discharge from the army. He was in the army during the Vietnam Era. He was sent to California and hia unit was supposed to go to vietnam. He was never sent but received all the shots that were given to anyone going to cietnam. Is there some connection? I have heard some things but not sure. He has not been able to work for the past 4 years. He falls throught the cracks as far as disability from Soc. Sec. Any suggestions or help?
Rita, If we can prove that your husband's condition arose coincidental with his military service, entitlement to service connection may be warranted. Best thing to do is to call us so that we can assess his situation better for you. Please call us at 877.611.7724.
my husband was p&t from ptsd and had been since 2006. He was in vet nam. He passed a way Nov of 2010 from copd. He had a heart attack in 1995. He self medicated using alcohol and smoking.He also told me that the smoking was on that he enjoyed. He never did smoke or use alchol before he was to vet nam. He death cert said on the bottom line where it said significant conditions contrbuting to deah but not resulring in the underlying casue given in part one and on part one he say pneumonia. After reading his medical records I don't think he had lung cancer. Is there a chance that I could get DIC.
I was in vietnam in 1969-1970 I have mulitiple lipomas keep have them remove since 1975 but they keep comeing about 150 got one in hand hard to do my trade anymore also have anger issues and nightmares have lump on testicles and erctile dysfunction married 4 time infertility and lots of confussion applied once for disability on the lumps but not ptsd is it to late my symptom keep getting worse was embaressed to say anything before was arrested once for domestic violence I try to control it but its always around especially after bad dreams could I qualify for disability now
There may be a chance for you to get DIC, but it will require significant work and a sound strategy. You should talk to one of our Alpha advocates for help in pursuing DIC benefits.
Gregorio,Yes, it is possible that you would qualify for compensation benefits due to your PTSD. Please contact Alpha for help at 877.611.7724.
Toward the end of 1969 @ aa guerilla warfare camp in Okinawa helicopters flew over 7 sprayed defolliants directly into the camp & on all of us in the camp for 3 days. Because it didn't happen "in country" they have repeatedly denied my request for testing for exposure. I had several of the symptoms of exposure already, & today I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis which can definitely be related to exposure to herbicides. I told the pulmonary specialist about the exposure. I can only hope he will put in a request to have me tested @ least.
My husband served in the Navy during the latter part of Vietnam. He was given a Honorable Medical Discharge. In May 1993 his was diagnosed with diabetes II since then he has been diagnosed with High blood pressure, PTSD and for the past 2 months or so he has been having really bad headaches. The Va clinic he goes to did a MRI last month and the doctor called to say my husband had had a stroke in the past but he couldn't tell us when. My husband already receives Social Security Disability because of his diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. I was wondering if he would be eligible for disability through the VA. Any help from you would be deeply appreciated.
Sherry, Your husband would be eligible for VA benefits only if he, at some point, actually stepped on Vietnam soil or traveled up into the indigenous waters of Vietnam. We would certainly be honored to help him if we can.
I am okay with Veterans Benefits, but a BVA Appeal takes too long to obtain a decision. My appeal has been at BVA since April 2010 and it has not yet been picked up by any judge to render a decision. I believe this is too long and VA should revise the time it takes for a decision from the BVA. I have heard that it takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years for a decision depending on the complexity of the claim.
My father was diagnosed three weeks ago with Idiopathic Pulmanary Fibrosis after being in the hospital for week with what they thought was pneumonia. He already receives VA benefits for his heart from agent orange. Do they consider this condition as a side effect of angent orange. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Marissa, Unfortunately, no. Respiratory conditions are not presumed related to Agent Orange exposure, except for lung cancer.
My husband died in December 2005 and he had Colon Cancer - he served in Vietnam - am I entitled to any benefits from Agent Orange.
Served in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry 11Bravo. I have severe Periferal Neuropathy (walking is hard and unfolding my hands in the morning a chore)! I was denied a claim last week, because it did not manifest itself in a year from my discharge. This is ridiculous, one year? All, I wanted was to go home and forget the war. So....now what should I do> Thanks- Wayne
Wayne, In order to be granted under the presumptive law, the diagnosis must be made within one year of exposure to Agent Orange. However, presumptive laws do not prohbit service connection when you can establish direct service connection. You need to provide medical evidence that proves that your peripheral neuropathy is related to your exposure to Agent Orange. If you would like help with this appeal, please contact us.
i am contacting you on behave of my husband, he was in thailand in 1966-67,he was ijured by enemy infiltrators mechete in the head ,no purple heart was sent to deliver supplies to a secret mission in viet nam fight broke out was trying to get out of there in big supply truck wrecked had to be airlifted to hospital head injury concusion,no purple heart, went home with stitches in head never released by dr. he has diabets and blood pressure that the dr.can not control he has been married 4 times and has depression do you think he has a case ,he goes to the va and has to pay ,we cant afford that.any help will be appreciated.thanks
You mention that your husband's service included visitation to Vietnam performing missions. If he can prove official documentation that put him in Vietnam he has a very good case. You refer to a "secret mission" but that doesn't meant that his personnel records wouldn't indicate his service in and out of Vietnam. We hope you'll contact us so that we can help you with the VA.
My husband served in Vietnam. He's been diagnosed with pdsd,, diabetes ii & hearing loss. He receives 80% VA disability. When he dies, will I, as his wife receive a percentage of survivor benefits?
Mary, The cause of your husband's death would have to be caused by a service-connected disability or condition directly related to a service-connected disability. You may also get survivor benefits if he were totally disabled (100 percent) from service-connected conditions for 10 years prior to death even if death was not caused by these conditions. He may want to contact us to discuss if we can get his rating increased to 100 percent.
Allen, My father was a retired Marine and passed away in 2009. He served in Korea and Viet Nam. After applying and first being turned down, we appealed and my mother is recieving DIC. It was determined in October 2010 that his death was a result of herbicides and other related chemicals during Viet Nam. I am now 44 years old and assumbly too old for education benefits. However, my daughter is attending college full time in the fall. Is she eligible for benefits because they recently determined his death was service connected? Any help will be appreciated and thanks in advance.
Charlie, Sorry about your dad. Unfortunately, your daughter would not be eligible for benefits. Grandchildren are not considered dependents.
My husband served in Vietnam. He was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in October last year. His doctor said he was 100% service connected disabled. He passed away on June 3 in a civilian hospital. The doctor that he saw for all of 5 minutes said he died of respiratory failure, pneumonia, and metastatic lung cancer. But she also said yes to "did tobacco use contribute to death". Will that affect my ability of trying to get his disability?
Cheryl, Most likely that comment won't affect the outcome. It it does, please give us a call.
My husband is 60 years old, and is a Vietnam veteran having been there 1 year and 3 days. We recently went for PTSD disability and were recently denied. He came home from Vietnam a drug addict, but has kicked the habit for almost 30 years. He suffers from a lot of ailments, he has severe pain all the time, "cognitive memory deficits", high blood pressure. He has trouble with mobility and if he does too much he is in bed for days. He is on SS disability now for 5 years. He suffers from depression, and has difficulty dealing with his time in Vietnam. He won't talk about it, won't go to the Vietnam wall, won't watch about Vietnam on TV and different things that happen on TV trigger things. We are unsure about appealing the decision and what we should do, get a lawyer, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Arlene, Your story is not uncommon. One of our claimants, Robert, shared his story in the "Your Views" section of this Web site about PTSD. We strongly advise contacting us. We may be able to connect your husband's symptoms to his military experience in Vietnam.
I can not walk more than several hundred yards due to neurapathy in my legs and feet. I served in Viet-Nam 1965-1966 in the central highlands. The compensation Which I have received since 2005 is very satisfactory but did not help back in 1982 when I was forced into disability by a severe heart condition. My monthly retirement pay from USPS was a whopping 290.00 per month. My heart problems began only seven years after my Viet- Nam tour at 46 years of age. They are only paying retroactive payments or recognizing heart conditions occuring in Viet-Nam vets to those who applied for heart related compensation back during that period. Who would apply for disability for heart conditions that were not service connected knowing that the application would be denied. Those of us drawing retirement pay were also under champus so we did not burden the V.A. with our medical needs. I realize that V.A. cannot open Pandores Box by recognizing all heart conditions occuring after retirement as agent orange connected but I had physical exams before leaving for NAM and also upon returning, than served two more years and a physical before retireing.Instead of just closing the door on vets like me why not consider each case seperately. Signed- Lost in Space
Carroll, Thousands of Vietnam veterans are in the same predicament as you. For example, in the late 80s, in-country Vietnam veterans were discouraged from filing claims for diabetes melitus type ll. Veterans who respected the general guidance of the VA lost out and feel cheated. You should pursue the maximum benefits that you could potentially be eligible for and pursue the earliest possible effective date. This is what we have been doing for fellow veterans with dramatic results.
My father served in Vietnam from May 68' to June 69'. He has peripheral neuropathy related to his exposure to agent orange. He draws 100% service connected disability due this. I am 39 years old and was recently diagnosed w/peripheral nueropathy. I am waiting for an appt w/a neurologist who can tell me more. Is there a chance that I could apply for some sort of benefits through the VA?
Sandy, No, not at this time. The VA only recognizes spina bifida, except for the occulta form, to the offspring of male veterans who served in Vietnam during the war.
I was on active duty 1962 to January, 1965. I have had Harding of the arteries where I couldn't walk more then 25 feet, until operated on for blockage in my byfemural arterial area where a artificial artery was installed(1992) I was diagnosed with lyphoma (1999), between those two I was diagnosed with number two diabities. I also seem to have Parkenson's, going to talk to my doctor about it next week at my visit with special meds. I was in Korea, stationed at Camp Hovey, in the mountains above Camp Casey and we pulled guard duty on the DMZ for a couple of weeks. I feel I have more medical problems then most people and wondering if possible it had anything to do with the service? I do have have copies of my DD214! Thank you for your help... Clement T Yandow
I am a Vietnam Veteran served 1968-1969 .I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January of 2006 and underwent a major surgical procedure as treatment for my medical condition in July 2006. I applied for a rating from VA and my rating is 50 % for prostate cancer, 20 % for PTSD, and 10% for Tinnitus. I am getting CRSC for 80%, and VA is paying me what was my military retired pay. Since my prostate surgery I have severe urinary incontinence requiring me to use 8-10 pads per day. Each pack of pads cost 12.98 x 52 weeks = $ 674.96. Do I have to continue buying these pads or can I get them from VA.
Roger, The VA can provide the supplies you need. If you're not working, you should consider pursuing individual unemployability benefits. An Alpha advocate can explain more about this to you and help you pursue more in benefits. If interested, please call us at 877-611-7724.
I just received denial letter from va for ischemic heart desease. says there is no record of me ever being in vietnam. I was u.s.a.f. in thailland. As a k-9 handler ,my job was to patrol the perimeter of the base and flight line. agent orange was to clear the foilage around the base. For 14 mos I walked and sit along those perimeters. I had a massive heart attack at 39,defibrillator at 55 and two minor strokes. I do believe that this was caused by exposure to agent orange. U.S.A.F. 1969-1975
s.s. has deemed me totally disabled why not the va
My husband is in 4th stage colon cancer, over looked by the VA , was treated for something else entirely. Extremely frustrating. We lost a daughter @ 6 months of age to a rare heat defect during open heart surgery, this birth defect is covered for female veterans Vietnam not males. I never understood that one. My husband Marine in some of the worse places to be in 68 69.
My furture husband was in vietnam and now he has dibetist(spelled wrong) and he lost two of his children one in a car accindent (19) and another to lymphocytic (33) and there is no one in the faimly that has lympocytic.Now he filed for ssi and he was turned down.We also had a problem in getting food stamps and medical for him.It's like no one cares about these men and no one wants to help. It makes me really mad.
My brother was vietnam vet. He got colon cancer.then it went into his lungs.I have been taking care of him so i couldn't work. he needed me 24-7. he was paying the rent. He pass away 2 weeks ago. He has direct deposit. I would like to know if i can take the rent out of his account.I have no job and want to throw me out. I would be very gratful for any imformation you could give me. GOD bless you in JESUS name.