Three new conditions were recently added to the list of presumptive conditions for which the Department of Veterans Affairs grants service connection to Vietnam War veterans affected by exposure to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange. This means that tens of thousands of veterans will now be eligible for VA disability benefits if their Agent Orange exposure resulted in bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, or Parkinson’s Disease-like symptoms.
The addition of these conditions is unusual in that it came from Congress, not VA. Typically, presumptive conditions are determined by VA, based on significant supporting evidence from scientific studies. However, in this case, the conditions are being added as part of a measure included in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The National Defense Authorization Act is a policy and spending bill for the Defense Department that passes through Congress every year.
If you are a Vietnam-era veteran suffering from one of the newly determined presumptive conditions (i.e., bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s-like symptoms), you should contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000, whether you are filing an initial claim, appealing a denial of benefits, or seeking an earlier effective date.
File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).
Download VA Form 21-526EZ (PDF)
Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
In person
Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.
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With the help of a trained professional
You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation.
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