Agent Orange Disability Eligibility Requirements
Agent Orange use is most commonly associated with Vietnam, but exposure may have occurred at a number of different testing or storage facilities around the world, including:
- Thailand Military Bases (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975)
- Vietnam (January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975)
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971)
- Cambodia and waterways/coasts within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam (January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975)
The Agent Orange Act of 1991 specifies veterans do not need to prove exposure in order to receive an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care cost reimbursement, advanced treatment at the VA’s War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, and disability compensation. Instead, they must demonstrate:
- Proof of active duty military status in one of the locations during one of the stated time periods.
- A medical record showing the illness or presumptive disease is believed to be connected with Agent Orange.
- For some illnesses, the date of discovery must be within a reasonable range of time from the end of service.
- These same illnesses must render the afflicted at least 10% disabled.
Veterans who are having trouble getting copies of these records can contact Agent Orange lawyers for personal assistance in preparing their documentation and legal advocacy to overcome potential denials.
