CONTENT

AGENT ORANGE

TITLE: A Primer on the PACT Act (Part 3): Agent Orange

The First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was passed on Aug. 10, 2022. In addition to extending benefits to cover in-service exposures to burn pits and other toxics for Gulf and Iraq veterans, it expands the presumptive's for Vietnam-era Agent Orange (AO) exposures.

Agent Orange exposure is now presumed for service in the following places:
• Thailand (at any U.S. or Royal Thai Air base, regardless of MOS or location on the base) from Jan. 9, 1962 – Jun. 30, 1976
• Laos from Dec. 1, 1965 – Sep. 30, 1969
• Cambodia (at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province) from Apr. 16 – 30, 1969
• Guam, American Samoa or their territorial waters from Jan. 9, 1962 – Jul. 31, 1980
• Johnson Atoll or aboard a ship that was called there from Jan. 1, 1972 – Sep. 30, 1977

New AO presumptive conditions are:
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

Unfortunately, current law requires VA to consider use of blood pressure medications when rating hypertension. If the condition is controlled with routine medication, veterans may receive a 0% rating. Contact a VSO to file an increase or secondary service connection claim if the condition worsens. Note that only DIC claimants can receive retroactive benefits for claims filed before Aug. 2022. If you suspect that a diagnosis could be related to Agent Orange exposure, contact a VSO. Find a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with a claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where we do not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.

File coming soon.

The Start of: AGENT ORANGE

This is likely where AGENT ORANGE began.

Where Did Agent Orange Begin??

VVA experts worked with the U.S. Air Force, the VA, and NIH to reach a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) early this year on what to do with the Ranch Hand specimens and data. During that process, we learned that the veterans studied were required to present medical records for any child with an illness that might be related to the parent working with the chemicals, and, in doing so, those children would become part of the Ranch Hand data. We now have prioritized three major areas of concern: recognizing other areas in which toxins were present; including other health problems of veterans from all wars related to toxic exposure; and conducting toxic exposure health research for the children of all veterans.

These priorities cannot be achieved without help from families. Step one of any medical research is to identify affected people. So, please register your children if they have health problems. Your child or grandchild can be registered at birthdefects.org. If you cannot find a service officer, call 727-319-5921.

A few weeks before the Convention, outgoing VVA President Jack McManus and former Connecticut Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and VVA National Treasurer Linda Schwartz were appointed to the VA advisory committee to oversee the medical research, specimens, and data related to the Ranch Hand study. The VA assigned Dr. Rudy Johnson, who directs the agency’s Military Exposures Research Program, to head activities related to Ranch Hand. He has promised a report on the committee’s progress by September. You can read more about VVA’s efforts to preserve these vital specimens here.

Fort Ord

A VVA member who worked in heavy construction equipment has identified places where he buried toxic chemicals overseas and at Fort Ord, despite the government’s denials of toxic exposure at Fort Ord.

CONTENT

The Start of: AGENT ORANGE

Where Did Agent Orange Begin??

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