During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed millions of gallons of the toxic chemical Agent Orange on Vietnam’s trees, plants, crops, and vegetation, making it difficult for the Viet Cong and Vietnamese to use the thick foliage as a way to hide. It’s possible that if you served in Vietnam, you may have been exposed to Agent Orange, and qualify for disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You may also be eligible for the Agent Orange Registry health exam.
What Is the Agent Orange Registry Health Exam?
If you believe you were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam, and you suffer from a medical condition related to this exposure, you can request a VA Agent Orange Registry health exam.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a Compensation and Pensions (C&P) Exam used for obtaining benefits.
While there are no medical tests that prove someone was exposed to toxic chemicals, including Agent Orange, there are benefits to having the Agent
Orange Registry health exam:
- It can assist in determining if you have a medical condition, illness, or disease that's potentially related to exposure to a toxic herbicide.
- It helps in the collection of data on veterans who were exposed.
- It allows follow-up exams if, at any time following your first exam, you develop other medical conditions that might be related to or caused by your exposure to Agent Orange.
Who’s Eligible?
Many Vietnam veterans qualify to take the Agent Orange Registry health exam, including those:
- Who served in Vietnam from 1962–1975.
- Known as “Brown Water” Veterans who served on small river patrol and swift boats operating on the inland waterways of Vietnam.
- Known as “Blue Water Navy” Veterans who served on “a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia as defined in Public Law 116-23.”
- Who served between September 1967 and August 1971 in a unit in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
- In the U.S. Air Force who served on “Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases near U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.”
- In the U.S. Army between February 1961 and May 1975 who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand.
- In the U.S. Army who were stationed on a small Army installation in Thailand between February 1961 and May 1975. These veterans must have been a “member of a military police (MP) or assigned a military occupational specialty whose duty placed him or her at or near the base perimeter.”
Cuddigan Law Firm Can Help
If you’re a Vietnam veteran and believe your medical condition is associated with exposure to Agent Orange, contact Cuddigan Law. Having legal representation and an advocate on your side can provide invaluable assistance with your disability claim. Our attorneys know the medical conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure and can help prove that yours qualifies for disability compensation. Call Cuddigan Law (402) 933-5405 to speak with an intake specialist for free.
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