The US Department Of Veterans Affairs recognizes birth defects in children of veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea. The agency acknowledges that these birth defects were the result of parental exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during combat.
According to Vietnam Veterans of America, approximately 2.8 million Americans served in the Vietnam War. Between three to six percent of all the veterans who served in Vietnam later went on to have children who suffered from at least one birth defect.
What is Agent Orange?
Agent Orange is an herbicide that was liberally sprayed in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971. The herbicide contained a dangerous chemical called dioxin. In the 1970s, production of Agent Orange ended, and the chemical is now no longer in use.
However, persons who were exposed to dioxin in Agent Orange continue to experience the harmful effect of that exposure. Dioxin is an extremely toxic pollutant, defoliating millions of acres of forests that are still dead today.
Agent Orange is also linked to a number of conditions.
- Birth defects
- Cancer
- Diabetes
Birth Defects Caused by Agent Orange
The Department Of Veteran Affairs links exposure to Agent Orange with a condition called spina bifida. This is an Agent Orange birth defect in which the spine does not fuse properly during pregnancy. A child born with spina bifida may require several other surgeries and long-term treatment, because of the potential for paralysis.
Typically, a patient who suffers from an Agent Orange birth defect will suffer from a number of symptoms, and the symptoms will depend on the severity of the condition.
- Paralysis
- Some degree of nerve damage
- Difficulty walking
These persons may also suffer from problems managing the bowels and bladder. In some cases, spina bifida can also cause a condition called hydrocephalus, in which there is fluid accumulation in the brain.
Veterans Benefits for Birth Defects
The Department Of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to assist children with spina bifida born to male or female veterans, who served in Vietnam during the period when Agent Orange was sprayed in that country listed above. The Department also funds assistance for children with birth defects with unknown causes who were born to women who served in Vietnam.
If you served in Vietnam and your child suffers from an Agent Orange birth defect, speak with a veterans’ disability benefits lawyer at LaVan & Neidenberg about filing a claim for compensation. Your child may qualify for benefits even if the defect was not previously linked to Agent Orange exposure.
