EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions VA Disability Rating
DC Various | 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) | M21-1, Part IV.ii.1.D
OVERVIEW
Agent Orange (herbicide agent) exposure creates presumptive service connection for numerous conditions under 38 C.F.R. 3.309(e). Veterans who served in Vietnam, Thailand (certain Royal Thai Air Force Bases), or areas where herbicides were tested/stored are covered. Presumptive conditions include: ischemic heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, Parkinson disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic B-cell leukemias, soft tissue sarcomas, respiratory cancers, and others. No nexus opinion is required -- service location + diagnosis = service connection.
RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)
Varies by condition
Agent Orange exposure itself is not rated. Each resulting condition is rated under its specific diagnostic code. The presumptive nexus eliminates the need for individual nexus opinions.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-DD-214 showing service in Vietnam or covered locations during covered dates
-Service records showing service at covered Thai RTAFB (Korat, U-Tapao, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Don Muang, Sattahip)
-Medical records showing diagnosis of a presumptive condition
-Personnel records showing duties near the perimeter at covered bases (for Thailand claims)
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (5 MAPPED)
DC 7913
Presumptive under 38 C.F.R. 3.309(e).
DC 7005
Presumptive under 38 C.F.R. 3.309(e).
DC 7528
Presumptive under 38 C.F.R. 3.309(e).
DC 8520+
Presumptive if manifested within one year of last exposure.
DC 8004
Presumptive under 38 C.F.R. 3.309(e).
C&P EXAM TIPS (5)
1.You do NOT need a nexus opinion for presumptive conditions. Service in a covered location + diagnosis = service connection.
2.File for EVERY presumptive condition you have been diagnosed with. Many veterans are underrated because they only filed for one condition.
3.Agent Orange presumptives have NO time limit for onset (unlike the PACT Act which has specific windows for some conditions).
4.If you served at a covered Thailand base, you may need to show you served near the perimeter where herbicides were used.
5.Surviving spouses of veterans who died from Agent Orange conditions may qualify for DIC benefits.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. 3.309(e)
Lists all conditions presumptively associated with herbicide agent exposure. No direct nexus required.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Agent Orange claims frequently produce combined ratings of 80-100%. Diabetes (20-100%) + heart disease (30-100%) + prostate cancer (100% during treatment) + peripheral neuropathy (10-40% per extremity) = maximum compensation for many Vietnam veterans.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026