MORE VETS GAINING ACCESS TO AGENT ORANGE BENEFITS


By bblouin
Plane spraying agent orange.

During the Vietnam War alone, around 19 million gallons of herbicides were used. Agent Orange represented 11 million+ gallons in use during the Korean War and elsewhere. In theory, the Agent Orange Vietnam usage was a great idea to destroy cover and food supplies for enemy troops; however, in practice, many innocent people on both sides also had exposure to deadly chemicals. Furthermore, the ethical usage of the chemical and its legal definition for chemical warfare only adds to the complexity of its usage. Veterans have found it difficult at times to receive the right benefits for exposure but recent developments are helping eliminate this issue. Suggested read: Former Black Knight Cole Christiansen Could Win the Super Bowl (Again)

What Is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide deployed by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War for vegetation control. Veterans had exposure to the chemical in various locations, such as Vietnam, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Thai Air Force bases, and while working on C-123 aircraft. Eligible Veterans who suffered from its effects can receive a free health exam from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to assess potential long-term health issues. Not only does the VA provide healthcare, but disability compensation and benefits for some diseases related to exposure are available. In some cases, for example, those suffering from spina bifida, dependents, and survivors may also qualify for additional benefits. This is because of Agent Orange birth defects and sexually transmitted side effects found in children and partners.

What Is the Average Compensation for Agent Orange?

While compensation will vary from individual to individual, there is a military program featuring $197 million in cash for eligible Veterans that provided an average of $3,800 before it ended accepting applications in 1994. Now, there are new methods of receiving financial assistance. Compensation due to Agent Orange symptoms is most commonly provided through disability benefits. Since 2022, as much as $39,984 per year is available to single Veterans and $42,214+ per year is available for married Vets and qualifying dependents. The consequences of Agent Orange have left a varying range of disability levels for Veterans. These benefits are tax-free and the higher your disability rating, in general, the more compensation you can receive. Related read: What Are the 23 Illnesses Covered Under the PACT Act?

Expanded Benefits for Veterans

Exposure is complex and different for everyone. Working with healthcare professionals at the VA and your attorney can better help you understand which benefits you are eligible for. Below, you can find a general overview to help you get started:

General Eligibility

You must have both a health condition because of the herbicide and have served in a qualifying location that would have exposed you to it. This is permissible due to presumptive exposure to Agent Orange. The passing of the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act along with additional efforts is allowing additional eligibility. Again, this will vary from person to person, but here is an overview of eligibility:

PACT Act Presumptive Condition Eligibility

Both high blood pressure (hypertension) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) for qualified Veterans are now acceptable for eligibility. The PACT Act also added five new presumptive locations. For more on the list of diseases and locations, the VA can help:

Note that as of this writing, some of the information on the VA website may not be up to date. This is because of recent measures to increase benefit eligibility for affected particles. For example, Veterans exposed to herbicides in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah during the 1940s-1970s may qualify. Additionally, troops stationed at certain bases in qualifying years found in American Samoa, Cambodia, Canada, Guam, India, Korea, Laos, Thailand, and the Johnston Atoll can also qualify for benefits.

Can Agent Orange Be Transmitted Sexually?

Yes, not only can it be transmitted sexually to a partner but may also affect pregnancies according to medical studies. This has caused negative health effects for partners and children of Veterans who have served in both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Compensation for some of those indirectly exposed to Agent Orange is also available as a result through the VA. Read next: Tua Tagovailoa Is Helping Send a Veteran to the Super Bowl

Sources:

  1. Average Compensation For Agent Orange (2024 Guide), Forbes. Accessed February 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/personal-injury/average-compensation-agent-orange/
  2. Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation, VA. Accessed February 2024. https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/
  3. Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2012., NIH. Accessed February 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK195093/

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