CONTENT

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.