Agent Orange and Herbicide Exposure
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides have a long list of presumptive conditions, where VA presumes the service connection with qualifying service.
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used during the Vietnam War and in several other locations. VA presumes exposure for veterans who served in specific places and periods, including Vietnam, the Korean DMZ, Thailand base perimeters, and others expanded by the PACT Act.
For a presumptive condition, you generally do not have to prove the herbicide caused it. You show qualifying service and a current diagnosis of a covered condition, and VA presumes the connection under 38 CFR 3.309(e).
Who and where is covered
- Veterans with boots on the ground or inland waterway service in the Republic of Vietnam (Jan 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975), and Blue Water Navy veterans within 12 nautical miles under the 2019 law.
- Service along the Korean DMZ (Sep 1, 1967 to Aug 31, 1971), and certain Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll service added or clarified by the PACT Act.
Find your Vietnam-era ship
VA keeps a list of Navy and Coast Guard ships with documented service in Vietnam that supports the Agent Orange herbicide presumption. Search by ship name or hull number to see if and how a ship is listed.
Under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, a ship does not have to be on this list. If you served aboard a ship operating within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's coast between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, you may qualify for the presumption.
Start typing your ship to check the list. 462 ships are listed across five categories.
This is a VA reference aid, not a guarantee of service connection. You still need a current diagnosis of a presumptive condition and qualifying service dates.
Source: VA ship listPresumptive locations on land
Exposure is not limited to Vietnam or to ships. VA presumes herbicide exposure for service at these places during these windows. Open a location for the details.
Republic of VietnamJan 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975
Any service in the Republic of Vietnam, on its inland waterways, or aboard a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of Vietnam and Cambodia (the Blue Water Navy rule). If you served aboard ship, use the ship lookup above to check VA's list.
Thailand, any US or Royal Thai military baseJan 9, 1962 to Jun 30, 1976
The PACT Act covers service at any United States or Royal Thai base in Thailand during this window, regardless of where on the base you worked. Before the PACT Act, VA required duty at or near the base perimeter; that limitation no longer applies.
Korean Demilitarized ZoneSep 1, 1967 to Aug 31, 1971
Service in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time during this window. This presumption predates the PACT Act and remains in place.
LaosDec 1, 1965 to Sep 30, 1969
Any service in Laos during this window, added by the PACT Act.
Cambodia, at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham ProvinceApr 16, 1969 to Apr 30, 1969
A narrow window and a specific area: service at Mimot or Krek in Kampong Cham Province during the last half of April 1969, added by the PACT Act.
Guam or American Samoa, or their territorial watersJan 9, 1962 to Jul 31, 1980
Service on Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters off either, during this window, added by the PACT Act.
Johnston Atoll, or a ship that called thereJan 1, 1972 to Sep 30, 1977
Service on Johnston Atoll, where surplus herbicide was stored, or aboard a ship that called at Johnston Atoll during this window, added by the PACT Act.
C-123 aircraft contact1969 to 1986
Air Force and Air Force Reserve members who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served aboard C-123 aircraft that had sprayed herbicide during the Vietnam era. This presumption is tied to the aircraft, not a place.
Presumptive conditions on this site
Each opens its 38 CFR rating criteria. A listing here is not a promise of service connection; you still need a current diagnosis and qualifying service.
Start the claim
Because these conditions are presumptive, you file like any disability claim and identify the exposure. VA also offers a free Toxic Exposure Screening to enrolled veterans.
- VA Form 21-526EZ (disability compensation). File or refile for an Agent Orange presumptive condition.
Related reading
Vietnam era veterans and others exposed to Agent Orange can file claims for conditions VA presumes are linked to the herbicide, from ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes to several cancers. Here is the current presumptive list, who qualifies by location and dates of service, how to show exposure, and how the PACT Act widened eligibility.
VA recognizes that certain illnesses are presumed service connected for veterans with qualifying service in specific times, places, or duty assignments. This guide walks every active presumptive category, what it covers, and the rule cites.
Three VA programs cover children of veterans born with certain birth defects: Agent Orange spina bifida (Vietnam, Korea DMZ, Thailand), the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) program for 18 covered birth defects, and the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program (CLFMP) for in utero exposure. Each pays its own benefit, has its own form, and routes through the Denver Regional Office.
Put a new rating to work
Common questions
Who qualifies for Agent Orange presumptive benefits?
VA presumes herbicide exposure for veterans who served in specific places and periods: boots on the ground or inland waterway service in the Republic of Vietnam (January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975), Blue Water Navy service within 12 nautical miles under the 2019 law, the Korean DMZ (September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971), and certain Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll service added or clarified by the PACT Act.
Do I have to prove Agent Orange caused my condition?
For a presumptive condition, generally no. You show qualifying service and a current diagnosis of a covered condition, and VA presumes the connection under 38 CFR 3.309(e). That removes the hardest part of most claims, the medical link between the exposure and the illness.
What conditions are presumptive for Agent Orange?
The list under 38 CFR 3.309(e) includes type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, and many cancers such as bladder, respiratory and lung cancer, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, and soft tissue sarcoma, along with AL amyloidosis, chloracne, and porphyria cutanea tarda. The PACT Act added hypertension and MGUS.
How do I file an Agent Orange claim?
You file like any disability claim, using VA Form 21-526EZ, and identify the herbicide exposure. If you were denied before a condition became presumptive, you can refile. VA also offers a free Toxic Exposure Screening to enrolled veterans, and a VA accredited representative can file the claim for you at no cost.