How Veterans Benefit from the Agent Orange Act
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and similar herbicides can apply for health care and disability benefits. You must prove that you were affected during active military service, and the benefits extend to your dependents and survivors. The Agent Orange Act significantly empowered veteran victims by helping them cope with the contamination side effects. Here is everything about the Agent Orange Act and how it benefits veterans.
What’s Agent Orange?
The US military used Agent Orange to help manage dense vegetation. It’s a plant-killing chemical that was crucial in the Vietnam conflict from 1962 to 1971.
According to recent research, the government sprayed 11 million gallons of Agent Orange across 20 million acres in Vietnam. After the chemical effects on veterans became visible, the US banned the production and use of the herbicide in around 1971. Find an Agent Orange claims attorney and file a lawsuit if you’re a victim.
How Were Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange?
The US military used a blend of tactical herbicides to remove trees and dense tropical foliage in the Vietnam jungle and the Korean demilitarized zone. These herbicides, jointly referred to as Agent Orange, aimed to destroy enemy cover.
Later, after the war, it was discovered that all veterans who served between January 1962 and May 1975 may be exposed to these herbicides. Everything was laid out perfectly in the Agent Orange Act of 1991. It means these individuals don’t need to prove they were exposed to Agent Orange to qualify for compensation for diseases related to the exposure.
Although they were used in Vietnam, these herbicides were stored and tested in different locations, including the US. Veterans who served in any of the storage and testing facilities also qualify for VA medical and disability benefits.
How Do Veterans Benefit from the Agent Orange Act?
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange qualify for health care and disability benefits. These benefits also extend to their family. Here is how they benefit:
Veteran Health Care
The Orange Act of 1991 ensures all victims of the Orange Act contamination receive adequate compensation for the conditions developed. You are eligible for an Agent Orange Registry health exam to identify any long-term health complications from herbicide exposure. You also get a full range of health care medical benefits if you served in the regions sprayed.
Veteran Disability Compensation
If you have a disability related to Agent Orange exposure, you are eligible for disability compensation. VA recognizes several health complications and specific cancers significantly associated with Agent Orange exposure during active military service. However, you must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable conditions.
Children with Birth Defects Benefits
The Agent Orange Act benefits extend to the children of Vietnam-era parents. If you served in Vietnam or Korea during the Agent Orange spray and have kids with congenital disabilities, they qualify for health care, VA compensation, and vocational training.
Survivors Benefits
The spouses, children, and parents of veterans exposed to Agent Orange and died are eligible for VA compensation. The VA offers these survivors health care, education, monthly compensation, and home loan benefits.
What Conditions Does Agent Orange Cause?
Veterans are exposed to various diseases and health complications from inhaling Agent Orange chemicals. At first, the CDC associated 14 diseases with herbicide exposure, but it gradually increased over time. The following are conditions caused by Agent Orange exposure:
- Severe congenital disabilities or miscarriage
- B-cell leukemia
- Diabetes Type 2
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Ischemic heart disease
The Agent Orange effects and health complications are life-threatening and need attention early. After getting medical care, find an experienced attorney to help file a lawsuit and enjoy these VA benefits. Note that millions of veterans were affected, and a significant percentage haven’t applied for compensation.