VA Disability Rating for Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions: Complete Guide to Getting Your Claim Approved

Bottom Line Up Front

Agent Orange presumptive service connection applies to veterans who served in Vietnam, Thailand, Korean DMZ, and other qualifying locations and develop certain diseases. For presumptive conditions, you don't need to prove the disease is related to service—the VA presumes the connection. The PACT Act expanded Agent Orange presumptions significantly in 2022, adding new conditions and locations. If you have qualifying service and a presumptive condition, file your claim—no nexus letter required.

What Is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used during the Vietnam War to remove forest cover and crops. It contained dioxin, a highly toxic chemical linked to numerous diseases.

Key Facts:

• Used from 1962-1971 primarily in Vietnam
• Also used in Thailand, Korea, and other locations
• Dioxin remains in body for decades
• Causes cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions

Qualifying Service Locations

Vietnam

1962-1975: Veterans who served in:

• Republic of Vietnam (boots on ground)
• Inland waterways (Brown Water Navy)
• Offshore waters within 12 nautical miles (Blue Water Navy - added 2019)
• Airspace over Vietnam

Thailand

1962-1975: Veterans who served at:

• U-Tapao
• Ubon
• Nakhon Phanom
• Udorn
• Takhli
• Korat
• Don Muang

Must have served on or near base perimeter where herbicides were sprayed

Korean DMZ

April 1, 1968 - August 31, 1971: Veterans who served in units along the Korean DMZ

Other Locations (PACT Act Expansion)

• Laos (1965-1975): Certain areas
• Cambodia (1969-1975): Perimeter of Mimot or Krek
• Guam (1962-1975): Andersen Air Force Base
• American Samoa (1962-1975)
• Johnston Atoll (1972-1977)
• C-123 Aircraft: Reservists who flew or serviced C-123 aircraft post-Vietnam

Complete List of Presumptive Conditions

Cancers

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Bladder cancer	DC 7528	Added by PACT Act
Chronic B-cell leukemias	DC 7703	Includes CLL, hairy cell
Hodgkin's disease	DC 7709
Multiple myeloma	DC 7709
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma	DC 7715
Prostate cancer	DC 7528	Very common in Vietnam vets
Respiratory cancers	Various	Lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea
Soft tissue sarcomas	Various	Multiple types

Nervous System Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
AL amyloidosis	DC 7725
Early-onset peripheral neuropathy	DC 8510-8730	Must manifest within 1 year
Parkinsonism	DC 8004	Added by PACT Act
Parkinson's disease	DC 8004

Cardiovascular Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Ischemic heart disease	DC 7005	CAD, angina, heart attacks
Hypertension	DC 7101	Added by PACT Act

Endocrine Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Diabetes mellitus type 2	DC 7913	Very common claim

Skin Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Chloracne	DC 7829	Must manifest within 1 year
Porphyria cutanea tarda	DC 7831	Must manifest within 1 year

Respiratory Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Respiratory cancers	Various	Lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea

Other Conditions

Condition	Diagnostic Code	Notes
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)	DC 7709	Added by PACT Act

How to File an Agent Orange Claim

Step 1: Confirm Qualifying Service

• DD-214 showing Vietnam service, Thailand assignment, or other qualifying location
• Personnel records showing dates and locations
• For Blue Water Navy: Ship deck logs showing 12-mile waters

Step 2: Get Current Diagnosis

• Medical records confirming presumptive condition
• Treatment records
• No nexus letter required

Step 3: File VA Form 21-526EZ

• Select toxic exposure/Agent Orange as basis
• List presumptive condition
• Include DD-214 and medical evidence

Step 4: Attend C&P Exam

• Examiner confirms diagnosis
• Rates severity under appropriate code

Rating Criteria by Condition

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DC 7913)

Rating	Criteria
10%	Manageable by restricted diet only
20%	Requires insulin and restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet
40%	Requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities
60%	Requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring 1-2 hospitalizations per year or twice monthly visits to diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated
100%	Requires more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least 3 hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated

Ischemic Heart Disease (DC 7005)

Rating	Criteria
10%	Workload >7-10 METs causes symptoms; OR continuous medication required
30%	Workload >5-7 METs causes symptoms; OR cardiac hypertrophy/dilation on testing
60%	Workload >3-5 METs causes symptoms; OR CHF episode in past year; OR ejection fraction 30-50%
100%	Chronic CHF; OR workload ≤3 METs causes symptoms; OR ejection fraction <30%

Hypertension (DC 7101)

Rating	Criteria
10%	Diastolic 100-109; OR systolic 160-199; OR history of diastolic 100+ requiring continuous medication
20%	Diastolic 110-119; OR systolic 200+
40%	Diastolic 120-129
60%	Diastolic 130+

Prostate Cancer (DC 7528)

• 100% during active treatment
• After treatment: rated on residuals (voiding dysfunction, ED, etc.)

Parkinson's Disease (DC 8004)

Rating	Criteria
30%	Minimum rating
Higher	Based on motor impairment under paralysis codes

Secondary Conditions

Many conditions can be claimed as secondary to Agent Orange presumptive conditions:

Secondary to Diabetes

• Diabetic neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy)
• Diabetic retinopathy (vision loss)
• Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Heart disease
• Hypertension

Secondary to Heart Disease

• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Fatigue

Secondary to Any Presumptive Condition

• Depression/anxiety (chronic illness)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance

Blue Water Navy Veterans

Background

In 2019, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act extended presumptive service connection to veterans who served on ships offshore Vietnam.

Qualifying Service

• Service aboard ships in offshore waters of Vietnam
• Within 12 nautical miles of coast
• January 9, 1962 - May 7, 1975

How to Prove

• Ship deck logs showing position
• VA maintains list of qualifying ships
• Personnel records showing ship assignment

Personal Statement Template

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Personal Statement for Agent Orange Presumptive Condition

I, [Full Name], submit this statement for [specific presumptive condition] as a result of Agent Orange exposure during my military service in Vietnam.

Qualifying Service: I served in the Republic of Vietnam from [dates] with [unit/ship]. My DD-214 confirms this service.

[For Thailand]: I served at [base name] in Thailand from [dates], where herbicides were used along the perimeter.

[For Blue Water Navy]: I served aboard USS [ship name] which operated within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's coast from [dates].

[For Korean DMZ]: I served with [unit] along the Korean DMZ from [dates within April 1968-August 1971].

Diagnosis: I was diagnosed with [specific condition] on [date] by [doctor/facility].

This condition is on the VA's list of presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure. I am not required to prove a direct connection between my condition and my service.

Current Status: [Describe current symptoms and treatment]

Secondary Conditions: [If claiming secondary conditions, list them and explain connection to primary condition]

I certify these statements are true.

[Signature] [Date]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a nexus letter?

No, for presumptive conditions. You only need to prove qualifying service and have a current diagnosis.

What if I was stationed in Thailand?

Thailand veterans may qualify, but must show service at specific bases AND duties that took them near the base perimeter where herbicides were sprayed. This can require more documentation than Vietnam service.

What if my ship was offshore Vietnam?

Blue Water Navy veterans (within 12 nautical miles) now qualify for presumptive service connection. The VA maintains a list of qualifying ships.

Can I claim conditions that aren't presumptive?

Yes. You can claim any condition with a nexus opinion linking it to herbicide exposure. The presumptive list is not exclusive.

What if I was previously denied?

If you were denied before your condition became presumptive, file a supplemental claim. Many previously denied claims can now be approved.

What about children of Vietnam veterans?

Spina bifida in children of Vietnam veterans is a presumptive condition. Some other birth defects may qualify for children of women Vietnam veterans.

What if I have multiple presumptive conditions?

Claim all of them. Many Vietnam veterans have diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions—each should be rated separately.

Resources

VA Forms:

• VA Form 21-526EZ

Agent Orange Information:

• VA Agent Orange Website
• Agent Orange Ships List

VA Rating Information:

• 38 CFR § 3.309(e) - Presumptive Conditions

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This guide is for informational purposes only. Every claim is unique—consult with an accredited claims agent for personalized guidance.

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Sources: VA Disability Compensation, 38 CFR Part 4, Veterans Benefits Administration