Agent Orange Exposure — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Agent Orange Exposure, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Toxic Exposure
General rating schedule for toxic exposureconditions. Your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Painful motion or limitation of motion that is compensable
Moderate limitation of motion or functional impairment
Severe limitation of motion or significant functional loss
Unfavorable ankylosis or severe impairment
Extremely unfavorable ankylosis
Will adding Agent Orange Exposure raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Agent Orange Exposure claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
Acta Oncologica, 2024 · PMID 38779869
Finding: In 301,470 Vietnam-era veterans in the Million Veteran Program, presumed Agent Orange exposure was independently associated with a slightly increased risk of any prostate cancer when accounting for race/ethnicity and family history (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.09), though not with metastatic or fatal prostate cancer.
Why it helps: A large modern veteran cohort supporting an association between Agent Orange exposure and prostate cancer diagnosis.
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 2013 · PMID 24137524
Finding: Among 114,562 Korean Vietnam veterans, higher proximity-based Agent Orange exposure was associated with significantly elevated odds of multiple chronic diseases, including hypertension (OR 1.03), peripheral neuropathy (OR 1.07), peripheral vasculopathy (OR 1.07), leukemia (OR 1.56), and skin diseases (OR 1.05), with monotonic dose-response trends.
Why it helps: A very large veteran population study supporting associations between exposure intensity and a range of chronic conditions; authors caution self-report may inflate estimates.
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024 · PMID 39072272
Finding: In Korean veterans, Agent Orange exposure was linked to seven differentially methylated CpG sites, and Mendelian randomization analysis found these exposure-associated methylation changes were causally associated with type 2 diabetes, while the reverse effect was not significant.
Why it helps: Provides a molecular/epigenetic mechanism supporting a causal link between Agent Orange exposure and type 2 diabetes, a recognized presumptive condition.
Journal of Military and Veterans' Health, 2022 · nexus to diabetes mellitus · PMID 36785586
Finding: This review of published veteran data concluded that relatively high Agent Orange exposure increased the risk of peripheral neuropathy either alone or as a co-factor complication of diabetes mellitus, and likely contributed to CNS degenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and vascular dementias.
Why it helps: Supports peripheral neuropathy as both a direct exposure effect and a complication arising alongside diabetes, relevant to secondary nexus claims building on service-connected diabetes.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2016 · PMID 26210237
Finding: This systematic review found that patients with chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, cutaneous (non-Hodgkin) lymphoma, and soft-tissue sarcomas (including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and leiomyosarcomas) should be screened for Vietnam service, while evidence for other skin conditions remained inconclusive.
Why it helps: Supports associations between Agent Orange exposure and specific dermatologic and cutaneous malignant conditions recognized for VA disability assessment.
Toxics, 2026 · PMID 42198545
Finding: This narrative review summarized emerging evidence that TCDD/dioxin from Agent Orange may increase the risk of neurological disorders, particularly dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease among Korean and U.S. Vietnam veterans, partly mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, while noting some inconsistencies across studies.
Why it helps: Supports a plausible association between Agent Orange/dioxin exposure and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, an Agent Orange presumptive condition.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Agent Orange Exposure
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Agent Orange Exposure. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Diabetes Type 2
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Ischemic Heart Disease
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Parkinson's Disease
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Prostate Cancer
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Multiple Myeloma
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Leukemia (chronic B-cell)
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Bladder Cancer
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Peripheral Neuropathy (early-onset)
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Lung Cancer
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Hypothyroidism
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Hypertension
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
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Related Guides
Filing a Agent Orange Exposureclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Agent Orange Exposure should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
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Draft your Agent Orange Exposure personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Agent Orange Exposure VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your Agent Orange Exposure evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Agent Orange Exposure.
Agent Orange Exposure Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.