Determining Veterans’ Disability Benefits with the VA Agent Orange Registry
Vietnam War veterans and other veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange (AO) need to know about their right to request a VA Agent Orange Registry Exam. This health assessment is designed to identify diseases and conditions connected to Agent Orange exposure and better understand the long-term consequences of herbicide use in combat.
What is the Agent Orange Registry?
In 1978, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began a program to track the conditions of participating veterans who were concerned about their health after being exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War era. The program, known as the VA Agent Orange Registry, is a database of over 500,000 veterans whose health information is being used to better understand the impact of Agent Orange exposure over time.
Any U.S. servicemember, male or female, in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 is eligible to enroll in the Agent Orange Registry as long as he or she who was on active duty in one of these following capacities.
- Army
- Marines
- Navy
- Coast Guard
- Air Force
Servicemembers of the same military branches who served in Korea between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 in a unit designated by the VA and United States Department of Defense (DOD) as to have operated in an area in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone are also included.
The Registry is not limited only to veterans of the Vietnam War era. Under U.S. law, any veteran who may have been exposed to dioxin or other toxic herbicides or defoliants during military service may be eligible for inclusion in the Agent Orange Registry.
The Agent Orange Registry Exam
To enroll in the Agent Orange Registry a veteran must undergo an Agent Orange Registry Exam, which is a series of medical tests to determine if he or she suffers from any Agent Orange-related conditions. The exam consists of four parts.
- Documenting the veteran’s exposure history to determine where, when and how the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals before, during, and after military service.
- Assembling a comprehensive medical history to document all health problems experienced by the veteran since the time of exposure.
- A medical exam that includes laboratory tests such as blood chemistry, urinalysis, and chest X-rays.
- A physical exam of 21 body parts commonly affected by toxic chemicals, such as the liver, kidneys, and skin, as well as the reproductive, endocrine, immunological, and nervous systems.
The Agent Orange Registry Exam is most often obtained through the VA healthcare system; however, any veteran can request an exam even if not enrolled in VA health care.
Using the Agent Orange Registry as Proof for Veterans Disability Claim
If the AO Registry Exam reveals a condition connected to Agent Orange exposure, that information may be used as evidence to file a claim for veterans’ disability benefits. All veterans, regardless of current health, should undergo an exam to identify any hidden ailments and begin proper treatment immediately.
Veterans’ disability benefits are available to veterans discharged under any circumstances other than dishonorable and who suffered an injury or illness connected to their military service. As in cases of Agent Orange, these diseases may take years to manifest, so it is important to keep good health records and collect extensive medical evidence before filing a claim. Also keep in mind that certain children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange may be able to file a claim.
The LaVan & Neidenberg Disability Advocate Group helps U.S. veterans from all military branches of all time periods seek and obtain their rightful benefits. For help with your initial claim, appealing a denial of benefits, or seeking special compensation, contact our office at 888-234-5758 or user our online contact form.
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