Agent Orange Disability Rating: Guidance for VA Disability Benefits

Important: We updated this article in December 2024 after reviewing current policy data from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Veterans exposed to Agent Orange may qualify for VA benefits, but understanding the VA disability Agent Orange rating process is crucial.

We’ll explain Agent Orange presumptive conditions, the claim-filing process, and how the VA determines disability ratings based on severity. By reviewing these key points, veterans can better navigate the VA system and ensure they receive the benefits they deserve.

Agent Orange Disability Rating from the VA: Key Takeaways

• Agent Orange is a now-banned chemical used during the Vietnam War known to cause lasting health issues after exposure.
• In recent years, the government expanded VA health care access and disability benefits to veterans who previously filed Agent Orange claims.
• The Agent Orange presumptive list includes health conditions the VA automatically recognizes as service-connected for eligible veterans with exposure.
• Secondary conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure can strengthen your claim by increasing your overall disability rating.
• For VA Agent Orange benefits, thoroughly reviewing your medical records prior to submitting your claim can save you time. A VA-accredited attorney can help.

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is an herbicide the U.S. military used to eliminate dense vegetation and crops. It contained toxic chemicals, including dioxin. Studies show serious health problems can develop in individuals exposed to Agent Orange.

The U.S. military most notably used the herbicide during the Vietnam War. However, the Department of Defense also tested and applied the chemical:

• At various training sites during the 1950s and 1960s
• In the Korean Demilitarized Zone from 1968 to 1969 as well as other locations

Which Veterans Were Exposed to Agent Orange?

The VA considers veterans who served in the following Agent Orange presumptive locations may qualify for disability compensation:

• Vietnam veterans who served between 1962 and 1975
• Areas where they sprayed Agent Orange, including parts of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
• Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) (1967-1969)
• Ships stationed off the coast of Vietnam, also known as “Blue Water Navy” veterans
• U.S. military operations in Okinawa, Japan and other sites in Southeast Asia where they stored or tested Agent Orange
• Service members who took part in testing and training exercises using herbicides during the 1950s and 1960s in the U.S. as well as other locations
• Vietnam era veterans who helped clean up Agent Orange contamination at military bases after the war ended

PACT Act Expands Access for Veterans Who Served Outside Vietnam

As of August 10, 2022, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act extended its presumptive benefits status to veterans who served in “locations where herbicides were tested, used, or stored outside of Vietnam.” Presumptive diseases allow individuals who develop certain illnesses to provide military service records showing they served in areas with exposure to Agent Orange.

List of Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

Veterans can check the VA’s list of presumed Agent Orange-related conditions below:

• AL amyloidosis
• Bladder cancer
• Chloracne
• Chronic B-cell leukemia
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (i.e., you developed high blood sugar levels after military service because your pancreas makes too little of the hormone insulin)
• High blood pressure, also known as hypertension
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Ischemic heart disease
• Lung cancer
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy (early onset)
• Porphyria cutanea tarda
• Prostate cancer
• Respiratory cancers (i.e., common cancers affecting the trachea, larynx, esophagus, etc.)
• Soft-tissue sarcomas, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, mesothelioma, cancer of the lymph glands, lymph nodes, or connective tissues

Biological children with certain birth defects linked to a Vietnam war veteran parent’s herbicide exposure may also qualify for VA benefits.

Secondary Conditions Linked to Agent Orange Exposure

Secondary conditions occur when a health problem develops as a result of the primary illness caused by Agent Orange exposure.

Some examples of Agent Orange-related secondary conditions are:

• Heart disease secondary to hyperthyroidism
• Depression secondary to cancer
• Sleep apnea secondary to Parkinson’s disease
• Kidney failure secondary to multiple myeloma
• Peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2

How to File an Agent Orange Claim with the VA

There are 8 steps to apply for disability compensation with the VA for an Agent Orange-related disability:

1. Receive confirmation from the VA that they received your claim.

If you don’t get confirmation, you may call your local regional office and request an update by phone. If you applied through the VA’s eBenefits system, you may check your disability claim status online.

2. The VA reviews your application for benefits.

The agency assigns a representative to determine if you submitted all necessary evidence. If your application requires additional material, it moves to step 3. If the VA has everything necessary to review your case, then your application moves on to step 5.

3. Gathering of evidence to support your claim.

If the VA needs additional medical evidence to complete your claim review, they will notify you.

4. The VA reviews your medical records and other evidence.

The VA reviews all evidence you provided with your application for benefits. If they decide you must submit more documents to prove your disability is service-connected or truly prevents you from working, they’ll send your claim back to step 3.

5. Preparation of a decision on your disability claim.

A representative from the VA will begin preparing a determination decision regarding your benefits application.

Pro tip: Because of high VA claims inventory and backlog numbers, this step can add several months to your processing time. Ensuring you submit all evidence to the best of your knowledge with your initial claim could minimize your wait time. Working with an attorney at the start of the application process is the best way to avoid additional medical evidence requests.

6. Pending decision based on the claim recommendation from the VA’s medical examiner.

The VA reviews your claim recommendation to reach a final determination decision. If the VA medical examiner requires additional medical evidence, then your claim may move back to step 3.

7. Notification letter preparation begins.

Your reviewed packet listing all the details of the VA’s determination decision arrives in the mail. This is still true even if you applied for benefits online through the eBenefits portal. Save this notification letter for your records in case you need to appeal the decision.

8. VA completes its claim determination decision and mails the results to you.

Finally, you should receive a mailed package explaining the VA disability rating(s) and benefit start date, if applicable.

Other Qualifications to Keep in Mind for VA Disability Benefits

• Your discharge from military service must show any status other than dishonorable.
• VA disability percentage ratings can vary from person to person, even for the same medical condition.
• Veterans who apply for Agent Orange benefits must have served during an eligible service area and location to qualify.

How to Interpret Your Agent Orange Disability Rating from the VA

The monthly disability pay amount you receive is dependent on several factors, including:

• Your disability percentage rating
• Marital status
• Number and age/s of children or other dependents, if applicable

Additional compensation is available to veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or higher who have spouses and/or dependents.

Important: Veterans with a 10%-20% disability rating won’t receive additional VA compensation for a dependent spouse, child, or parent.

Denied VA Disability in the Past? File a VA Supplemental Claim for Agent Orange Exposure

If the VA denied a disability application but you chose not to appeal, you may consider filing a supplemental claim.

Before filing a supplemental claim, one of the following must apply to you:

• You have new, relevant medical evidence to include that supports your existing claim.
• You request another review to your existing claim due to new federal laws, such as the PACT Act.  

Talk to a VA-Accredited Attorney for Free About Your Claim

Do you believe the VA owes you money for Agent Orange exposure? If you or a family member have an Agent Orange-related disability, let us help you. We can connect you with a local VA disability lawyer to file your claim or appeal a previous denial. This service is completely free, and your consultation starts with just one phone call.

These attorneys in our network always work on contingency. So, if you don’t win more benefit income, then you pay $0 to the lawyer who helped you. But if you do win, you’ll only pay one small fee afterwards.

We’ve helped more than 10,000 veterans connect with professional legal help through this website. You don’t have to fight the VA all on your own.

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