Who is covered
Qualifying locations and dates under the PACT Act:
- Agent Orange / Tactical Herbicides - Republic of VietnamJanuary 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975Tactical herbicides including 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T (with contaminant TCDD dioxin), cacodylic acid, and picloram were sprayed in Vietnam. Service in the Republic of Vietnam, on inland waterways, or within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam/Cambodia coast between Jan 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 is presumptive for herbicide exposure.
- Agent Orange - U.S. or Royal Thai Military Bases (Thailand)January 9, 1962 – June 30, 1976Service at U.S. or Royal Thai military bases in Thailand between Jan 9, 1962 and Jun 30, 1976 is presumptive for herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.
- Agent Orange - LaosDecember 1, 1965 – September 30, 1969Service in Laos between Dec 1, 1965 and Sep 30, 1969 is presumptive for herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.
- Agent Orange - Cambodia (Mimot / Krek, Kampong Cham Province)April 16, 1969 – April 30, 1969Service at Mimot or Krek in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia, from Apr 16, 1969 through Apr 30, 1969 is presumptive for herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.
- Agent Orange - Guam / American Samoa (and territorial waters)January 9, 1962 – July 31, 1980Service on Guam, American Samoa, or in their territorial waters between Jan 9, 1962 and Jul 31, 1980 is presumptive for herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.
- Agent Orange - Johnston AtollJanuary 1, 1972 – September 30, 1977Service on Johnston Atoll, or aboard a ship that called at Johnston Atoll, between Jan 1, 1972 and Sep 30, 1977 is presumptive for herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Surplus Agent Orange was stored and later incinerated at Johnston Atoll.
- Agent Orange - Korean Demilitarized ZoneSeptember 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971Service in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between Sep 1, 1967 and Aug 31, 1971 is presumptive for herbicide exposure.
- Agent Orange - C-123 Aircraft (Post-Vietnam)January 1, 1969 – December 31, 1986Air Force and Air Force Reserve flight, ground maintenance, and aeromedical evacuation crew members who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served onboard the same C-123 aircraft used for Operation Ranch Hand spraying are presumed exposed to Agent Orange residue.
Presumptive conditions (19)
With a qualifying diagnosis and the service above, VA presumes these conditions are connected to the exposure.
AL amyloidosisBladder cancerChronic B-cell leukemiasChloracneType 2 diabetes mellitusHypertensionHypothyroidismHodgkin diseaseIschemic heart diseaseMGUSMultiple myelomaNon-Hodgkin lymphomaParkinson's diseaseParkinsonismPeripheral neuropathy, early-onsetPorphyria cutanea tardaProstate cancerRespiratory cancersSoft tissue sarcomas
Rating tables: chloracne, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, early-onset.
To see how these conditions combine with others, use the combined-rating calculator.
Documents VA asks for
- DD-214: establishes service in Vietnam during qualifying period
- Personnel records / orders: confirms boots-on-ground or qualifying offshore service
- Ship deck logs: for Blue Water Navy 12-nautical-mile claims
- Medical diagnosis: confirms a 38 CFR 3.309(e) presumptive condition
- Personnel records / ship deck logs: confirms presence on/calling at Johnston Atoll
- Unit assignment records: confirms DMZ unit during qualifying window
- AF Form 2096 / personnel records: confirms duty AFSC and unit assignment on C-123
- Aircraft maintenance logs / flight records: documents regular contact with contaminated C-123
Related guides: Intent to File · C&P exam preparation · nexus letters
Legal authority and sources
38 CFR 3.307(a)(6); 38 CFR 3.309(e); Agent Orange Act of 1991; Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act 2019 (Pub.L.116-23); PACT Act 2022 (Pub.L.117-168)