Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions: Qualifying Locations, Dates, and Diseases

Under 38 CFR 3.307(a)(6) and 38 CFR 3.309(e), veterans who served in covered locations where tactical herbicides were used, tested, or stored are legally presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. If an exposed veteran receives a clinical diagnosis of an approved presumptive condition, service connection is granted without requiring proof of an in-service injury or specific medical nexus.

Covered conditions include AL amyloidosis, chronic B-cell leukemias, chloracne (or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne), diabetes mellitus type 2, Hodgkin lymphoma, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Parkinson disease, Parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathy (early-onset), porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), and soft tissue sarcomas.

The 2022 PACT Act expanded the Agent Orange presumptive list by adding two critical conditions: systemic hypertension (high blood pressure evaluated under DC 7101) and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS). Veterans previously denied service connection for hypertension who served in covered herbicide locations are entitled to review under these updated statutory provisions.

Presumption of exposure applies to: service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975 (including offshore Blue Water Navy vessels); service in or near the Korean DMZ between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971; service on military bases in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976; service in Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, Johnston Atoll; and regular contact with contaminated C-123 aircraft.

To establish a presumptive Agent Orange claim, the veteran must submit DD-214 service records or military personnel files establishing physical presence in a covered location during the qualifying date range, paired with current medical records documenting a formal clinical diagnosis of an approved presumptive disease.