New Agent Orange Areas of Exposure Recognized

Recent PACT ACT legislation signed into law in 2022 has opened the door to more veterans being able to file claims for disabilities from the Agent Orange (AO) Disability presumptive list.

Congress added new locations for presumptive exposure to AO. Listed below includes all areas and time frames of service required:

1. The Republic of Vietnam or territorial waters from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.

2. Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai Base from Jan. 9, 1962, to June 30, 1976.

3. Laos from Dec. 14, 1965, to Sept. 30, 1969,

4. Cambodia at Mimot, Krek, or the Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1962, to April 30, 1969.

5. Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from April 1, 1968, to Aug. 31, 1971.

6. Guam, American Samoa or territorial waters thereof from Jan. 9, 1962, to July 31, 1980.

7. Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from Jan. 1, 1972, to Sept. 30, 1977.

8. Air Force or Air Force Reserve veterans who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served aboard a C-123 aircraft known to have been used for spraying herbicides.

Veterans are entitled to VA health care and compensation benefits if they have covered service for VA to concede exposure to herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange) and if they have manifested any of the specified diseases after their qualifying service.

Surviving Spouses of veterans who served in the above listed areas and the veteran passed away from a presumptive AO disability may be entitled to benefits as well.

For more information on this and other VA & State Benefits contact Montgomery County Veterans Service at 936-539-7842 or via email at [email protected]. Visit our Facebook page Montgomery County Veterans Service.