Agent Orange (AO) and Other Dioxins
Agent Orange is one of several dioxins used to defoliate the jungle (kill vegetation) to give our military an advantage in finding the enemy in the jungle terrain.
Other agents used included Agent Blue, White, and Purple. It wasn't the color of actual agent sprayed but a code for the contents and potency of the agent used. Although it may have sounded great at the time both the military and chemical companies were aware of the hazards. No protection was given to the personnel handling or spraying the agents nor ground troops who moved into sprayed areas.
Agent Orange was carried by rain run off, rivers, and seeped into ground water.
AO and other dioxins were sprayed by by airplanes, helicopters, tanker trucks, and by hand.
Over 23 Million Gallons were sprayed
Agent Orange was sprayed in numerous areas of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Korean DMZ. It is now assumed by the VA that if you set foot in Vietnam, you were exposed to Agent Orange. The most infamous spraying 
operation was Operation Ranch Hand. This was the largest spraying operation but spraying was authorized for use as early as 1961, way before Operation Ranch Hand. It is unknown the number of gallons sprayed elsewhere and the precise locations of many sprayings.
AO was used as weed killer around bases and quarters, near mess halls, and water sources. I have been unable to find an exact account of how much AO was transported to SE Asia or returned to the U.S. All of this spraying and use was carried out by our unsuspecting servicemen. Unfortunately the VA has not granted blanket coverage to areas in the United States and the Pacific where these dioxins were handled and transported.
How Many Deaths and Illnesses?
If you don't believe Agent Orange causes illness you may find this shocking. There are a little over 900,000 Vietnam Veterans alive today. Over 3.2 Million served in SE Asia. Our Vietnam veterans are dying younger than any previous generation. Approximately 300 veterans from that generation die every day. On their death certificate it won't read Agent Orange as cause of death and the VA has no way of knowing exactly how may Veterans have died from Agent Orange or the exact number of ill Veterans.
Why? Because Agent Orange causes dozens of illnesses, most cancerous, and that is the cause of death. Unknown are the numbers of Veterans who are affected that haven't sought treatment through the VA and are unaware of where or why their cancer was caused. The most prevalent disease is Type II diabetes.
Every two years the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine along with others prepare a report for the Secretary of the VA to submit to congress. Every two years the list of associated diseases has grown and is recognized as also causing birth defects in Veterans children.
Most of the diseases may come years and decades after exposure. The studies show that our Veterans rate of illness increase with age compared to the normal population. More cause to get to the VA and get a FREE examination.
Diseases Associated with Agent Orange
All diseases recognized by the VA are considered presumptive diseases. For a listing visit VA Recognized Diseases. This list includes the recently added diseases.
Agent Orange and Dioxin Areas of Use and Storage
There were numerous locations outside of Vietnam and in the United States where AO was stored, handled and sprayed. It was sprayed in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and the Korean DMZ. For specific areas visit Agent Orange Outside Vietnam. It is presumed that if you stepped foot in Vietnam you were exposed during the time frame between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.
A change to the Korean DMZ was made 25 Jan 2011 making the period between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971 for exposure dates. Check the link above for all other dates and areas.
Children of Vets Exposed to Agent Orange
Some birth defects are recognized by the VA. Visit Benefits for Veterans’ Children with Birth Defects
Applying for Compensation
Because of the new changes to rules, new forms, and methods for applying for compensation, work with a certified VSO to insure all information needed, is sent with your claim. You may apply online with the VA or through forms sent to the VA.
Although you may send the claim yourself it's recommended that you work with a VSO and assign a power of attorney (POA) to handle your claim. They can assist you in making sure you have the documentation needed for your claim, assist you with.
Visit our VSO page for contact information of a VVA VSO in Arizona.
Agent Orange Claims Update
Update: The VA has released statistics for February 2010 on claims status. Click here to view progress.
VA Processes First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives December 17, 2010
New Program Speeds Approval for Vietnam Veterans
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided more than 28,000 claims in the first six weeks of processing disability compensation applications from Vietnam Veterans with diseases related to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.
“With new technology and ongoing improvements, we are quickly removing roadblocks to processing benefits,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We are also conducting significant outreach to Vietnam Veterans to encourage them to submit their completed application for this long-awaited benefit.”
VA published a final regulation on Aug. 31 that makes Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam and who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, or a B-cell (or hairy-cell) leukemia eligible for health care and disability compensation benefits. With the expiration of the required 60-day congressional review on Oct. 30, VA is now able to process these claims.
Vietnam Veterans covered under the new policy are encouraged to file their claims through a new VA Web portal at www.fasttrack.va.gov. Vietnam Veterans are the first users of this convenient automated claims processing system.
If treated for these diseases outside of VA’s health system, it is important for Veterans to gather medical evidence from their non-VA physicians. VA has made it easy for physicians to supply the clinical findings needed to approve the claim through the new Web portal. These medical forms are also available atwww.vba.va.gov/disabilityexams.
The portal guides Veterans through Web-based menus to capture information and medical evidence required for faster claims decisions. While the new system currently is limited to these three disabilities, usage will expand soon to include claims for other conditions.
VA has begun collecting data that recaps its progress in processing claims for new Agent Orange benefits at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/agentorange/reportcard/index.html.
New Changes
As the changes to health care for veterans affected by agent orange have been occurring so rapidly, we have created a section in our forum, just for Agent Orange. We will try to keep you up to date with the latest from the VA, court rulings, and other sources.
As veterans of the Vietnam era know, illnesses related to Agent Orange and other dioxins are the greatest health issues facing our veterans and their children.
All veterans are encouraged to visit the VA and get on the Agent Orange Register instituted in 2003.
For information on applying online visit this http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp .
Here is another link for more information: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/
Agent Orange Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2010
VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
VA Health Care and Benefits Provided for Many Vietnam Veterans
WASHINGTON – Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.
“Last October, based on the requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 and the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 Update on Agent Orange, I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to award presumptions of service connection for these three additional diseases,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “It was the right decision, and the President and I are proud to finally provide this group of Veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved.”
The final regulation follows Shinseki’s determination to expand the list of conditions for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed. VA is adding Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease and expanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia.
In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their medical problems and their military service. By helping Veterans overcome evidentiary requirements that might otherwise present significant challenges, this “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process and ensure that Veterans receive the benefits they deserve.
The Secretary’s decision to add these presumptives is based on the latest evidence provided in a 2008 independent study by the Institute of Medicine concerning health problems caused by herbicides like Agent Orange.
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Final Regulation 2/2/2
Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.
More than 150,000 Veterans are expected to submit Agent Orange claims in the next 12 to 18 months, many of whom are potentially eligible for retroactive disability payments based on past claims. Additionally, VA will review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims by Vietnam Veterans for service connection for these conditions. All those awarded service-connection who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.
This historic regulation is subject to provisions of the Congressional Review Act that require a 60-day Congressional review period before implementation. After the review period, VA can begin paying benefits for new claims and may award benefits retroactively for earlier periods. For new claims, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the effective date of the regulation or to one year before the date VA receives the application, whichever is later. For pending claims and claims that were previously denied, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.
VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation now so the agency can begin development of their claims.
Individuals can go to a website at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm to get an understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision about disability compensation or survivors benefits.
Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services for Veterans exposed to the chemical is available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
The regulation is available on the Office of the Federal Register website at http://www.ofr.gov/.
Spraying Begins - 1961
During the course of the war millions of gallons of Agent Orange and other variants containing dioxin were sprayed.
Service personnel that stepped foot in Vietnam are considered exposed to Agent Orange. Veterans are highly encouraged to vist the VA and get on the Agent Orange Register. Also, get a free AO physical. There are numerous diseases associated with Agent Orange and othe dioxins, most are cancerous.