Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions and Location Rules

Complete List of Presumptive Agent Orange Conditions

The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes nineteen distinct illnesses and disease categories as presumptive under 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2) and 38 CFR 3.309(e). These conditions fall into two primary diagnostic groupings: oncological disorders and chronic systemic diseases.

Presumptive Cancers

• Bladder Cancer: Malignant neoplasms originating in the urinary bladder lining.
• Chronic B-Cell Leukemias: Encompasses all chronic B-cell leukemic disorders, including hairy cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
• Hodgkin’s Disease: Malignant lymphoma characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Multiple Myeloma: Cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, rated under Diagnostic Code 7712.
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A diverse group of blood cancers originating in lymphocytes.
• Prostate Cancer: Rated under Diagnostic Code 7528. Active cancer is evaluated at 100 percent during treatment and convalescence, after which permanent residuals such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction are rated separately.
• Respiratory Cancers: Malignancies of the lungs, bronchus, larynx, and trachea.
• Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: A specific group of malignant connective tissue tumors, including adult fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, ectomesenchymoma, angiosarcoma, malignant glomus tumors, and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and mesothelioma are excluded from the presumptive sarcoma list.

Chronic Non-Malignant Conditions

• AL Amyloidosis: A rare protein disorder characterized by the accumulation of abnormal amyloid protein chains in organ tissues.
• Chloracne: A severe acneiform skin condition resembling severe acne. Must manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of last in-theater exposure.
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Rated under 38 CFR 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7913. Ratings vary from 10 percent for diet-controlled diabetes up to 100 percent for severe cases requiring multiple daily insulin injections and strict activity limitations.
• Hypothyroidism: A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough crucial thyroid hormones, added by the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) and codified at 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2)(K).
• Ischemic Heart Disease: Includes coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7005 using metabolic equivalents (METs) testing.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Rated under 38 CFR 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8004. Minimum baseline rating is 30 percent, with secondary ratings evaluated for tremors, muscle rigidity, and speech impairment.
• Parkinsonism: Neurological conditions presenting symptoms clinically similar to Parkinson’s disease, including bradykinesia, resting tremors, and postural instability.
• Early-Onset Peripheral Neuropathy: Acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy that must have manifested to a compensable degree of 10 percent or more within one year of last exposure.
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A liver metabolic disorder resulting in skin blistering and liver dysfunction. Must manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of last exposure.

Conditions Added by the PACT Act

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Rated under 38 CFR 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7101. A 10 percent rating requires diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control. A 20 percent rating requires diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more (with 40 percent for diastolic 120 or more and 60 percent for diastolic 130 or more).
• Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): Rated under 38 CFR 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7712, which assigns a 0 percent evaluation to asymptomatic MGUS while providing service connection if it progresses to symptomatic multiple myeloma.

For a broader breakdown of airborne toxic hazards and post-9/11 conditions, consult our pact act presumptive conditions guide.

Qualifying Service Locations and Date Ranges

Statutory presumptions apply only when military personnel records verify physical presence within authorized geographic parameters during specified historical windows.

Republic of Vietnam (January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975)

Presumptive coverage applies to all personnel who set foot on the landmass of Vietnam or served aboard vessels operating on inland waterways, brown-water rivers, and delta canals.

Blue Water Navy Waters (January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975)

Under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-23), coverage extends to veterans who served offshore aboard deep-water naval vessels. The statutory boundary encompasses all vessels that operated within twelve nautical miles seaward of the baseline of the Republic of Vietnam. The VA maintains an extensive, continuously updated joint Navy-VA vessel log database confirming ship coordinates.

Thailand Military Bases (January 9, 1962 – June 30, 1976)

Before the PACT Act, veterans stationed in Thailand faced strict evidentiary burdens; they had to demonstrate they performed security police, dog handler, or combat perimeter patrol duties. The PACT Act eliminated those restrictions. Current law grants presumptive status to any service member stationed at any United States or Royal Thai military base in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976, regardless of branch, assigned unit, or military occupational specialty.

Additional PACT Act Herbicide Locations

• Laos: Operating in Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969.
• Cambodia: Service in Mimot or Krek in Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969.
• Guam and American Samoa: Stationed on Guam or American Samoa, or their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.
• Johnston Atoll: Stationed at Johnston Atoll or aboard any ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977.

Korean Demilitarized Zone (September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971)

Herbicide exposure is presumed for service members assigned to units determined by the Department of Defense to have operated in or near the Korean DMZ.

C-123 Aircraft Crew Members

Presumptive exposure extends to active-duty, reserve, or National Guard flight, ground maintenance, and aeromedical crew personnel who had regular and repeated contact with contaminated UC-123 aircraft used during Operation Ranch Hand.

Secondary Service Connection for Agent Orange Conditions

Presumptive service connection for a primary disease opens the door to secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310. Any additional impairment that is directly caused or aggravated by a primary service-connected condition is eligible for compensation.

Frequent secondary conditions linked to Agent Orange presumptions include:

• Diabetic Complications: Veterans service-connected for type 2 diabetes frequently establish secondary connection for peripheral neuropathy in the arms and legs, diabetic retinopathy resulting in visual impairment, nephropathy (kidney disease), and erectile dysfunction.
• Cardiovascular Sequelae: Ischemic heart disease can produce secondary congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, or vascular dementia.
• Hypertensive Residuals: Prolonged hypertension often leads to secondary hypertensive heart disease, renal insufficiency, and cerebrovascular conditions.

When multiple conditions are service-connected, the VA combines ratings using whole-person efficiency math under 38 CFR 4.25 rather than simple arithmetic. You can calculate your combined rating with our va combined rating calculator.

Monthly Disability Compensation Scale

Disability compensation payments are distributed monthly and are completely exempt from federal, state, and local taxation. Benefit amounts are determined strictly by the total combined disability rating assigned under Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

For a veteran with no dependent spouse or children, monthly compensation is $180.42 for a 10 percent rating, increasing with severity up to $3,938.58 for a 100 percent rating, effective 2025-12-01. You can review complete payout tiers on our va disability pay chart. If you are filing an initial or supplemental claim, estimate your potential retroactive settlement using the va back pay calculator.

Veterans with exposures to burn pits or airborne particulates during subsequent service can also review our guide on the burn pit registry.

What to Do If Your Prior Claim Was Denied

Thousands of Vietnam-era veterans submitted claims for hypertension, bladder cancer, or Thailand service years ago, only to receive formal denials because the legal standards at the time did not recognize those conditions or locations.

If your condition was previously denied:

1. Do Not Submit a New Initial Claim: Submitting VA Form 21-526EZ for a previously denied issue can result in administrative rejection.
2. File a Supplemental Claim: Submit VA Form 20-0995.
3. Reference Statutory Changes: In the explanation box, write: “Requesting re-adjudication under the PACT Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-168) and 38 CFR 3.309(e).”
4. Attach Service Proof: Include discharge papers or assignment orders demonstrating service in Thailand, Guam, Blue Water Navy coordinates, or other expanded areas.

Surviving spouses of veterans who died from an Agent Orange presumptive condition may be entitled to monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) by submitting VA Form 21P-534EZ.

Getting Accredited Representation for Your Claim

Assembling historical orders, deck logs, and clinical records spanning half a century requires careful attention to detail. You should never pay predatory private consultants or unaccredited companies who promise fast ratings in exchange for substantial fees.

Seek professional assistance from federally accredited representatives:

• Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Accredited representatives from the American Legion, DAV, VFW, and state agencies provide free, professional claims assistance.
• Accredited Claims Agents and Attorneys: Licensed representatives accredited by the VA Office of General Counsel can represent claimants through complex appeals and regional office hearings.

You can verify whether a representative is officially certified by searching the VA Office of General Counsel Accreditation Search. Working with an accredited professional helps ensure your claim is filed accurately under current statutory provisions.