Can I Get VA Disability for Agent Orange Exposure?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | January 09, 2020 | Disability Compensation
If you served in the Republic of Vietnam or the waters surrounding Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, the VA automatically presumes you have been exposed to Agent Orange, which was sprayed in large quantities to get rid of brush, trees, and overgrowth to eliminate hiding places for the enemy. Since then, many veterans have developed disabling conditions that are related to the exposure to the chemicals contained in Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides.
The Agent Orange Act passed by Congress in 1991 gave the Veterans Administration (VA) the authority to designate specific medical conditions as “presumptive” to Agent Orange exposure, which keeps the veteran does not have to prove that the condition in question was caused by exposure to the herbicide. If you have experienced a disabling medical condition and suspect it could be from your military service and exposure to Agent Orange, visit a VA physician.
Disabling Conditions Caused by Agent Orange Exposure
The VA has designated numerous conditions as presumptively caused by Agent Orange exposure, such as Hodgkin’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, respiratory cancers, prostate cancer, Type 2 diabetes, Chronic B-cell leukemia, or ischemic heart disease. It is expected that VA will soon add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms to the presumptive Agent Orange list.
If you suffer from these medical conditions or other problems, and you believe your health issues are related to exposure to Agent Orange while in the military, you may be able to receive disability benefits from the VA. To do this, you will need to see a physician at a VA facility and have your diagnosis confirmed. You will then need to complete the paperwork required to apply for VA benefits.
Consult with a VA Disability Attorney
If you are ready to apply for VA disability, you should enlist the help of an attorney who is familiar with disability claims pertaining to Agent Orange. Call Gregory M. Rada, Attorney at Law, to get a free phone consultation about your VA disability claim today to determine if you may qualify for VA disability benefits.
