Public Health

• https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp

Agent Orange Presumption of Service-Connection: VA has recognized 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
• Bladder Cancer
• Chronic B-cell Leukemias
• Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
• Hypertension
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Parkinsonism
• Parkinson's Disease
• Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides)
• Prostate Cancer
• 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)
• Spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta) in offspring

VA presumes that Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides if they served:

Between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and served for any length of time in at least one of these locations:

• In the Republic of Vietnam, or
• Aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam, or
• On a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia

Or:

• Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976, or
• Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969, or
• Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969, or
• Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980, or
• Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977

Or at least one of these must be true for you:

• You served in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971, or
• You served on active duty in a regular Air Force unit location where a C-123 aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and had repeated contact with this aircraft due to your flight, ground, or medical duties, or
• You were involved in transporting, testing, storing, or other uses of Agent Orange during your military service, or
• You were assigned as a Reservist to certain flight, ground, or medical crew duties at one of the locations listed here

Eligible Reserve locations, time periods, and units include:

• Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio, 1969 to 1986 (906th and 907th Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th Tactical Airlift Squadrons)
• Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, 1972 to 1982 (731st Tactical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, or 901st Organizational Maintenance Squadron)
• Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania, 1972 to 1982 (758th Airlift Squadron)

For more service requirement details, review these sources:

• Public Law 116-23 (Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019) on Congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/299/text
• Air Force specialty codes and units for affected C-123 aircraft https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/docs/AO_C123_AFSpecialityCodesUnits.pdf
• Dates and locations of herbicide tests and storage outside Vietnam https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/locations/tests-storage/index.asp

*For more information, visit:

VA presumes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service.

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/birth-defects/children-women-vietnam-vets.asp

Certain birth defects in the offspring of women Vietnam Veterans are associated with their service in Vietnam, but not necessarily related to Agent Orange exposure. For more information on these conditions, visit:

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp

Camp Lejeune Health Care Law: Veterans who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, may be eligible for medical care for 15 health conditions:

• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Renal toxicity
• Female infertility
• Scleroderma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Hepatic steatosis
• Miscarriage
• Neurobehavioral effects

For more information on policies related to Camp Lejeune, visit:

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp

Camp Lejeune Health Care Law: Family members who resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, may be eligible for medical care for 15 health conditions:

• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Renal toxicity
• Female infertility
• Scleroderma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Hepatic steatosis
• Miscarriage
• Neurobehavioral effects

For more information on policies related to Camp Lejeune, visit:

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp

VA presumes that Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for no less than 30 days from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987, and who later developed one of the following eight diseases were exposed to contaminants in the water supply:

• Adult leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Parkinson's disease

When no presumed service connection has been established by law, Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to their exposures during military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis.

If a Veteran who was exposed to radiation during military service develops one of the diseases listed below and meets other requirements, disability compensation may be provided on a case-by-case basis.

• All cancers
• Non-malignant thyroid nodular disease
• Parathyroid adenoma
• Posterior subcapsular cataracts
• Tumors of the brain and central nervous system
• Other diseases, if supported by medical or scientific evidence

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/infectious_diseases.asp

Gulf War Veterans with the following presumptive illnesses do not need to prove a connection with their military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations. They may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected condition and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. These conditions include:

VA presumes that the nine infectious diseases listed below are related to military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations during the Gulf War, August 2, 1990 to present, and in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001.

• Malaria - An infectious disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include chills, fever, and sweats. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation or at a time when standard or accepted treatises indicate that the incubation period began during a qualifying period of military service.
• Brucellosis - A bacterial disease with symptoms such as profuse sweating and joint and muscle pain. The illness may be chronic and persist for years. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.
• Campylobacter Jejuni - A disease with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.
• Coxiella Burnetii (Q Fever) - A bacterial disease with symptoms such as fever, severe headache, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea. In chronic cases, the illness may cause inflammation of the heart. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
• Mycobacterium Tuberculosis - An illness that primarily affects the lungs and causes symptoms such as chest pain, persistent cough (sometimes bloody), weight loss and fever.
• Nontyphoid Salmonella - A condition characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
• Shigella - A condition characterized by symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
• Visceral Leishmaniasis - A parasitic disease characterized by symptoms such as fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia.
• West Nile Virus - A disease spread by mosquitoes characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain or weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.

*These conditions are not necessarily associated with any specific exposure, but have been determined to be associated with service in Southwest Asia. The policy also provides compensation for certain infectious diseases.

*For more information, visit:

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp

Gulf War Veterans with the following presumptive illnesses do not need to prove a connection with their military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations if they appear by December 31, 2016 and are at least 10 percent disabling. They may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected condition and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. These conditions include:

Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called 'Gulf War Syndrome')

• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.
• Fibromyalgia - a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems.
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders - a group of conditions marked by chronic or recurrent symptoms related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome.
• Undiagnosed illnesses - symptoms may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances

*These conditions are not necessarily associated with any specific exposure, but have been determined to be associated with service in Southwest Asia. The policy also provides compensation for certain infectious diseases.

*For more information, visit:

If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well. Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible.

• https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility

Veterans may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if they meet at least one of these requirements. Enhanced eligibility means that VA will place the Veteran in a higher priority group and they will be more likely to get benefits.

Veterans who:

• Receive financial compensation (payments) from VA for a service-connected disability
• Were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to them in the line of duty
• Were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty
• Are a combat Veteran discharged or released on or after September 11, 2001
• Get a VA pension
• Are a former prisoner of war (POW)
• Have received a Purple Heart
• Have received a Medal of Honor
• Get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits
• Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998
• Served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987

Or, the Veteran must have served in any of these locations during the Vietnam War era:

• Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
• Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
• Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
• Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
• Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977
• Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975

If none of these descriptions apply, the Veteran may still qualify for health care based on income.

Enhanced eligibility for returning OEF/OIF/OND combat Veterans: You can receive free VA health care for up to 10 years after discharge or release for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. This is called an enhanced eligibility period.

• https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-exposures-mustard.asp

VA may grant service connection for certain diseases or disabilities as the result of full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during military service.

For more information, visit:

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.asp#presumptive

The following are presumptive conditions.

These cancers are presumptive:

• Brain cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
• Glioblastoma
• Head cancer of any type
• Kidney cancer
• Lymphoma of any type
• Melanoma
• Neck cancer of any type
• Pancreatic cancer
• Reproductive cancer of any type
• Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type

These illnesses are presumptive:

• Asthma that was diagnosed after service
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic rhinitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
• Emphysema
• Granulomatous disease
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• Pleuritis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis

• For Veterans who served in any of these locations and time periods, VA has determined that they have had exposure to burn pits or other toxins (they have a presumption of exposure).
• On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations:
• Afghanistan
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen
• The airspace above any of these locations.

• On or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations:
• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• The airspace above any of these locations

When a Veteran of any period of service receives a valid diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connection may be granted if the illness is associated with an in-service stressful event.

Under Public Law 104-262, The Veterans Health Reform Act, veterans exposed to radiation-risk activities seeking care for conditions associated with their exposure to ionizing radiation are included in Priority Group 6. Care is provided for these radiation-related conditions without regard to the veteran's age, service-connected status or ability to defray the cost of medical care, and no co-payment by the veteran is required.

Veterans who participated in Project 112/SHAD are eligible for VA health care. VA also provides priority enrollment for Veterans who have a military service-connected disability.

VA presumes that asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis are related to exposure to particulate matter and provides disability benefits.

This applies to Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning August 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, or Djibouti beginning September 19, 2001, to the present, and whose conditions came about within 10 years of military service.

• https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/diseases.asp

Veterans who served at certain locations are presumed to have been exposed to radiation:

• Radiological cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (1977- 1980).
• U.S. Air Force plutonium cleanup mission near Palomares, Spain (1966).
• U.S. Air Force plutonium cleanup mission at Thule, Greenland (1968).
• Participated in the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan between Aug. 6, 1945, and July 1, 1946.
• Were prisoners of war in Japan near Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
• Participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted primarily in Nevada and the Pacific Ocean between 1945 and 1962.
• Participated in underground nuclear weapons testing at:
• Amchitka Island, Alaska before Jan. 1, 1974.
• Nevada Test Site for at least 250 days from January 1, 1963, through December 31, 1992.
• Service at one of the following gaseous diffusion plants for at least 250 days before Feb. 1, 1992: Paducah, Kentucky; Portsmouth, Ohio; or K25 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

For Veterans who participated in a radiation-risk activity, which is specifically defined in 38 CFR 3.309 (d)(3) during service, VA presumes that certain cancers are related to their exposure.

• Cancers of the bile ducts, bone, brain, breast, colon, esophagus, gall bladder, liver (primary site, but not if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), lung (including bronchiolo-alveolar cancer), pancreas, pharynx, ovary, salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, thyroid, urinary tract (kidney/renal, pelvis, urinary bladder, and urethra)
• Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
• Lymphomas (except Hodgkin’s disease)
• Multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells)