VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides or as associated with military service:

• Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
• Birth Defects in Children of Vietnam Veterans
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure

Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits for diseases that VA has recognized as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides:

• Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
  A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange and resolve within 2 years after the date it began.
• AL Amyloidosis
  A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs.
• Chloracne (or Similar Acneform Disease)
  A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Now Being Expanded to B Cell Leukemias)
  A type of cancer which affects white blood cells.  Currently, only chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a "presumptive" disease associated with Agent Orange exposure; however, on March 25, 2010, VA published a proposed regulation to establish B cell leukemias (includes chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia and others) as associated with Agent Orange exposure.  Eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for other B cell leukemias when the regulation is final.
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
  A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.
• Hodgkin’s Disease
  A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
• Ischemic Heart Disease
  A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain. On March 25, 2010, VA published a proposed regulation that will establish ischemic heart disease as associated with Agent Orange exposure. Eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for this disease when the regulation is final. 
• Multiple Myeloma
  A disorder which causes an overproduction of certain proteins from white blood cells.
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue.
• Parkinson’s Disease
  A motor system condition with symptoms that include a trembling of the hands, imbalance, and loss of facial expression. On March 25, 2010, VA published a proposed regulation that will establish Parkinson's disease as associated with Agent Orange exposure. Eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for this disease when the regulation is final. 
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
  A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange.
• Prostate Cancer
  Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men.
• Respiratory Cancers
  Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
  A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues.

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not associated with Agent Orange exposure. However, VA has recognized ALS diagnosed in Veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military was caused by their military service. Learn about benefits for ALS, including VA health care benefits and disability compensation and other non-health benefits.

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