You can become eligible for compensation for Agent Orange exposure if you have a record of specific types of military service.
For example, if you served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7,1975 or on a ship in inland waters or within 12 miles of Vietnamese or Cambodian demarcation lines, you are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. So, if you have one of the medical conditions mentioned above that are linked to the chemical, you should be entitled to VA disability benefits.
A variety of other types of military service can also make you eligible for compensation. For example, Blue Water Navy Veterans and those who served on or near the Demilitarized Zone in the Korean Conflict between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 are also presumed to have been exposed.
The Veterans Administration has a detailed list of missions during which soldiers were presumptively exposed to Agent Orange. It includes locations in Vietnam and Korea during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as locations such as Guam, Thailand, Cambodia and American Samoa as late as 1980 for some areas. Service people stationed at certain U.S. locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachussetts in the 60s, 70s and 80s also meet criteria.
If you did not serve during these designated times, or if you have a different medical condition that is not included on the list of linked conditions, this does not necessarily mean you will not be eligible for benefits. However, you will not be presumed to qualify for benefits. Instead, you will need to provide proof that Agent Orange exposure while you were in the military was a direct cause of illness or injury.
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