How Much Does the V.A. Pay for Agent Orange Exposure?

Agent Orange exposure has been linked to a slew of medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and diabetes. Many veterans who were exposed to the deadly chemical have suffered lifelong effects after having been in contact with it and require lifelong care to enjoy a normal life.

Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) provides health care coverage for Agent Orange side effects, so it pays to understand which benefits might be available to cover your illness.

What Benefits are Available to Veterans?

The VA provides benefits to former service members who have developed disabilities related to their active duty, training, or inactive duty. The VA only covers certain disabilities if the veteran can prove the link between the service and the illness, often referred to as the “service connection.”

In Agent Orange’s case, however, the V.A. considers that any related condition has a direct connection to your service if you were exposed to the toxin.

How Much Does the V.A. Pay for Agent Orange Disability Benefits?

The amount of money the V.A. pays for service-related disabilities depends on how comprehensive the disability is. The rates range from $144.14 a month for 10 percent disability to $3,146.42 per month for 100 percent disability.

The exact payments are as follows:

• 10 percent disability rating: $144.14 per month
• 20 percent disability rating: $284.93 per month
• 30 percent disability rating: $441.35 per month
• 40 percent disability rating: $635.77 per month
• 50 percent disability rating: $905.04 per month
• 60 percent disability rating: $1,146.39 per month
• 70 percent disability rating: $1,444.71 per month
• 80 percent disability rating: $1,679.35 per month
• 90 percent disability rating: $1,887.18 per month
• 100 percent disability rating: $3,146.42 per month.

Agent Orange and the Vietnam War Connection

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used a variety of herbicides to clear forests in Vietnam, including the dreaded Agent Orange. The ongoing use of the toxic chemical meant that many U.S. service members were exposed to it regularly.

After the war, many of the troops who were exposed to the chemical started to suffer from similar health issues. It was not until later that the U.S. Army realized the potency of the product and discovered the direct link between Agent Orange and the debilitating sickness that many Vietnam War vets were mysteriously experiencing.

Medical Conditions Commonly Associated with Agent Orange

There is a host of medical conditions that are typically associated with Agent Orange. They include, but are not limited to:

• Bladder Cancer
• Leukemia
• Chloracne
• Hodgkin’s Disease
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate Cancer
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Type 2 Diabetes

This list is not exhaustive—more is being learned about the long-term effects every day, and some conditions mimic others and may not be attributed to Agent Orange exposure.

Service Connection and Benefit Approval

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 comes with a presumption of service connection for all veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and suffered from the medical conditions listed above. This means veterans don’t have to prove a connection between Agent Orange exposure and their illnesses to file for and get approved for benefits.

Served under any of the following conditions, you may be entitled to Agent Orange benefits:

• Service on the ground or by sea during the Vietnam war between 1962 and 1975
• Service in the North Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between 1967 and 1971
• Regular professional contact with C-123 aircraft between 1969 and 1986.

If you have served in any of these circumstances, you may automatically qualify for special Agent Orange benefits from the U.S. government.

Filing a Claim for Agent Orange Benefits

Filing for benefits can be daunting. You will have to provide your service records, undergo medical exams, and fill out questionnaires about your service. There are also benefits available to the children of Vietnam War veterans, so it pays to be aware of this program and use it to your family’s advantage.

You will also need a medical opinion letter to verify your claims and fill out several applications for benefits. A veteran benefits attorney can help you sort through all the paperwork so that you can get your benefits sooner. A lawyer could also assist you if you need to appeal an unfavorable decision. So, it is always a good idea to have one on your side.