This past Tuesday (August 31) the VA published its final regulation related to Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange. This means that Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart condition, and B-cell leukemias are now classified as service-connected disabilities. The reg gives a 100% disability rating for Parkinson’s, as well as retroactive veteran and survivor payments for qualifyings vets.

This means that if a vet served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975, and has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they are presumed to have been exposed to toxic chemicals. They no longer have to prove that a connection between their disease and their military service. This speeds up the application process for disability compensation.

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. For pending claims and claims prviously denied, the VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.

Please note that even though the final regulation is published, it is still subject to a 60-day review period by Congress before the VA can begin paying benefits for new claims. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on September 23 to review the rule.

You can find out more about this issue from the VA’s Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards.

You can click here to reach the Agent Orange Disability Compensation page.