Hanging Agent Orange Sign Agent Orange was widely used during the Vietnam War as a tactical defoliant. Trees and bushes were sprayed with the chemical to remove their leaves and increase visibility for U.S. soldiers. The chemical gets its name from the orange band that appeared around its storage barrels.

Why Agent Orange Is Dangerous

Agent Orange is a combination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), which contain traces of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Although Agent Orange was thought to be safe for humans at the time of use, we now know the dioxin in Agent Orange is linked to a number of serious health problems—including cancer, type 2 diabetes, nerve disorders, and heart disease.

Agent Orange Health Registry Exams

The Veteran’s Administration offers Veterans with exposure to the herbicide a comprehensive Agent Orange Health Registry exam. The exam can alert Veterans to potential health complications but is considered separate from the process of applying for VA disability benefits.

If you wish to schedule an Agent Orange Health Registry exam, you should contact your local VA environmental health coordinator. There is no charge for the exam, and enrollment in the VA health system is not necessary.

VA Disability Benefits From Agent Orange Exposure

VA disability benefits provide medical care and cash assistance to Veterans who are suffering from serious conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange. There are no lab tests that can prove someone was exposed to Agent Orange, but the VA presumes all Veterans who served in certain areas during times where Agent Orange was used were exposed to the herbicide.

Once exposure is established, conditions known to be caused by Agent Orange are considered presumptive diseases. This means you are not required to prove your condition was caused by your military service—making it significantly easier to qualify for benefits. Payments for those who are approved for benefits vary based on the seriousness of the disabling condition.

If you’re a Vietnam Veteran suffering from a serious health condition you believe is linked to your Agent Orange exposure, the office of Sean Kendall, Attorney-at-Law, can help you access the VA disability benefits you need to provide for yourself and your family. Call our office or fill out the contact form on this page to get started.

 

Post A Comment