Public Health
Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange
VA assumes that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran's qualifying military service. We call these "presumptive diseases."
VA recognizes certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits for these diseases.
- AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs - Bladder Cancer
A type of cancer that affects the bladder where urine is stored before it leaves the body - Chronic B-cell Leukemias
A type of cancer which affects white blood cells. This includes all chronic B-cell leukemias, including, but not limited to, hairy-cell leukemias and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. - Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)
A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides. - Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin - Hypertension
- Hodgkin's Disease
A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia - Hypothyroidism
A condition that causes the thyroid gland to not produce enough of certain important hormones - Ischemic Heart Disease
A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain - Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
- Multiple Myeloma
A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow - Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue - Parkinsonism
Any condition that causes a combination of abnormal movements. These include slow movements, trouble speaking, stiff muscles, or tremors. - Parkinson's Disease
A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement - Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset
A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of herbicide exposure. - Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides. - Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men - Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer)
Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus - Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues
Live healthy
There are steps Veterans can take to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and other common diseases of aging. Get the recommended health screenings, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and don't smoke. Learn more about healthy living.
Children with birth defects
VA presumes certain birth defects in children of Vietnam and Korea Veterans are associated with Veterans' qualifying military service.
Veterans with Lou Gehrig's Disease
VA presumes Lou Gehrig's Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service, although ALS is not related to Agent Orange exposure.
