Agent Orange Veterans’ Disability Claims

Agent Orange is the code name for one of the powerful herbicides and defoliants that the US Government used in Operation Ranch Hand during the Vietnam War from 1961 through 1971. Agent Orange contained an extremely toxic dioxin, and veterans exposed to Agent Orange have shown elevated rates of cancer, respiratory disorders, nerve disorders, digestive disorders, and skin disorders.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will pay disability compensation and health care benefits to veterans suffering from injuries or diseases that began in or were aggravated by their military service. However, each veteran must prove that he or she is suffering from an Agent Orange related disease, including providing medical evidence such as doctor and hospital reports.

In Agent Orange-based claims by a Vietnam veteran for service-related benefits, the VA requires:

  • Competent evidence of service in Vietnam
  • Competent medical evidence that the disease began within the deadline (if any)
  • A medical diagnosis of a disease which VA recognizes as being associated with Agent Orange, including:
    • Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
    • AL Amyloidosis
    • Chloracne (or Similar Acneform Disease)
    • Chronic B-cell Leukemias
    • Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
    • Hodgkin’s Disease
    • Ischemic Heart Disease
    • Multiple Myeloma
    • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men
    • Respiratory Cancers
    • Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus
    • Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)

At the Law Offices of Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., we are experienced disability claims attorneys. Harold W. Conick has been accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans in their disability claims, and he is a member of the National Association of Veterans’ Advocates. We understand what the VA is looking for when evaluating claims, and are here to be your tough advocates regardless of the level of your appeal.

We also realize that this is a difficult time, and are here to answer your questions. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.