Agent Orange Exposure and VA Disability Claims

Agent Orange

Agent Orange Claims Should Be Straightforward. Too Often, They Are Not.

Agent Orange exposure is one of the most well-established areas of VA disability law. The science is settled. The presumptions are clear. The statutory framework has been in place for decades.

And yet, Veterans are still denied benefits for Agent Orange–related conditions based on errors that should not survive basic review.



We represent Veterans nationwide in Agent Orange claims and appeals, including cases involving presumptive conditions, qualifying service disputes, and improper VA reliance on medical opinions the law does not require.

What Agent Orange Is Under VA Law

Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used extensively during the Vietnam War and in other locations. It contained dioxin, a highly toxic compound now linked to numerous long-term health conditions.



The VA recognizes that Veterans exposed to Agent Orange face increased risks of serious disease. As a result, Congress established presumptive service connection for certain conditions to eliminate the need for individual causation proof.

When a condition is presumptive, the VA’s discretion is limited. Many denials ignore that limit.

Qualifying Service and Presumed Exposure

Presumed exposure to Agent Orange depends on where and when a Veteran served. Qualifying service includes, but is not limited to:

• Service in the Republic of Vietnam during designated periods
• Service in inland waterways or qualifying coastal operations
• Certain service in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and other locations
• Specific roles involving herbicide handling or testing

The VA frequently misapplies exposure rules, particularly in cases involving offshore service, Thailand bases, or nontraditional duty locations. Appeals often succeed when the correct exposure framework is enforced.

Presumptive Conditions Linked to Agent Orange

The VA recognizes a range of conditions as presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure. When a Veteran has a qualifying condition and qualifying service, service connection should follow as a matter of law.

Common Agent Orange–related conditions include:

• Ischemic heart disease
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism
• Certain cancers
• Peripheral neuropathy under qualifying circumstances

Presumptive service connection means the VA may not require proof of direct causation. When it does, it commits legal error.

Common Reasons Agent Orange Claims Are Denied

Despite the clarity of the law, Agent Orange claims are still denied for predictable reasons, including:

• Improper rejection of qualifying service
• Overly narrow interpretations of exposure locations
• Failure to apply presumptive service connection
• Reliance on unnecessary or negative medical opinions
• Incorrect application of diagnostic criteria

These errors are common, and they are correctable.

Agent Orange and Delayed-Onset Conditions

Many Agent Orange–related conditions develop years or decades after exposure. The law accounts for this reality.

The VA may not deny a presumptive Agent Orange claim simply because symptoms appeared long after service. When it does, the denial is legally unsound.

Delayed onset is not a loophole. It is built into the statutory framework.

Secondary Conditions Related to Agent Orange

Service connection for an Agent Orange–related condition often opens the door to secondary claims. Veterans may develop additional disabilities as a result of the primary condition or its treatment.

Secondary conditions may include:

• Cardiovascular complications
• Neuropathy progression
• Renal or metabolic disorders
• Mental health conditions associated with chronic illness

The VA frequently fails to consider these secondary effects unless they are explicitly raised. Appeals can correct that omission.

The Role of Medical Evidence in Agent Orange Claims

In presumptive Agent Orange cases, medical nexus opinions are often unnecessary. The law substitutes presumption for proof.

However, medical evidence still matters for:

• Confirming diagnosis
• Establishing severity and rating level
• Identifying secondary conditions
• Determining effective dates

VA examinations that deny service connection based on causation in presumptive cases are often legally irrelevant.

How We Handle Agent Orange Claims and Appeals

Agent Orange cases require less speculation and more enforcement.

Our approach includes:

• Confirming qualifying service and exposure
• Verifying applicability of presumptive conditions
• Reviewing VA decisions for legal compliance
• Challenging improper evidentiary demands
• Correcting rating and effective date errors

These cases are rarely complex medically. They are often complex procedurally.

Veteran-Led Perspective on Agent Orange Claims

Many Veterans assumed that Agent Orange claims were “already settled” and that benefits would follow automatically. Experience suggests otherwise.

Denials persist because the VA continues to apply outdated assumptions, narrow interpretations, and unnecessary hurdles. Veterans who do not challenge those decisions often lose benefits the law already guarantees.

As Veteran attorneys, we understand that these claims represent more than compensation. They represent acknowledgment of harm that was once denied altogether.

Take the Next Step

If your Agent Orange–related claim was denied, delayed, or granted incorrectly, the decision may not reflect the law as written.

A properly developed claim or appeal can enforce the presumptions Congress intended.

Request a Free Case Review

We will review your service history, medical records, and VA decisions, and explain your options clearly.