Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides during their military service. As a result of this exposure, many veterans developed serious medical conditions including certain types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
VA has developed special rules for determining whether Vietnam veterans have to prove their exposure to Agent Orange or are presumed to be exposed. These rules primarily depend on whether the veteran served “boots on the ground”, in inland waterways, or on a ship.
What is the Agent Orange ship list?
Generally, veterans who served “boots on the ground” in Vietnam receive two presumptions. First, they receive a presumption that they were exposed to Agent Orange during their military service. Since they are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, they also receive a second presumption that certain medical conditions they develop were caused by Agent Orange exposure.
This presumption of Agent Orange exposure can be extremely helpful in proving to VA that certain medical conditions are service-connected. Veterans who benefit from this presumption do not have to produce the medical evidence to prove that Agent Orange exposure caused these presumptive conditions.
But, what about Vietnam veterans who served primarily on ships? Do those Vietnam veterans benefit from the Agent Orange presumptions?
The Agent Orange ship list addresses this issue. VA created this list to identify veterans who served on ships that were in the inland waterways of Vietnam or where the veterans may have come ashore. The list is divided into several different types of ships:
Ships operating primarily or exclusively on Vietnam’s inland waterways
Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways
Ships that docked to shore or pier in Vietnam
Ships operating on Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crew members went ashore
Ships operating on Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that smaller craft from the ship regularly delivered supplies or troops ashore
If a veteran’s ship is on the list, the veteran is potentially eligible for the Agent Orange exposure presumption. Some of the five categories on the list require the veteran to provide additional evidence to qualify for the presumption. For example, a veteran in categories 3, 4 or 5 may need to provide a lay statement that the veteran actually went ashore.
How can I get a copy of the ship list?
Our office will be happy to provide you with a copy of the Agent Orange ship list upon request. Just call our office at (770) 214-8885 or complete and submit the consultation request form and put in the notes for that form that you would like a copy of the Agent Orange ship list.
What if I have already been denied for a condition that was presumptively caused by Agent Orange?
VA updates the Agent Orange ship list as new information comes in about ships. If VA gets sufficient evidence to show that a ship qualifies for one of these five categories, then it should add that ship to the list.
Just because you were denied Agent Orange benefits when you applied in the past does not mean that you will always be denied if you reapply and reopen your claim. If your ship has been added to the list since you were last denied, you should be able to qualify for benefits by reopening your claim for VA disability compensation. You would just need to show that you have a medical condition that is presumed to be caused by Agent Orange.
What if VA awards me Agent Orange benefits but does not award them back to the date I originally applied?
VA may award you disability benefits but not take you back to the original date you filed for benefits. This can happen with Agent Orange claims because VA denied you originally but then awarded benefits after your ship was added to the list.
The important question is what effective date VA will use for your claim. Normally, the effective date is based on when you file your claim. When you reopen a claim later by filing another application for benefits, your effective date is often the date that you reopened the claim.
But, VA has special rules for Agent Orange claims. These special rules may make it possible for you to get an earlier effective date that goes back prior to the date you reopened your claim. If VA does not take you back to the date that you originally filed for Agent Orange benefits, then you need to consider appealing that decision to get the correct effective date and receive the benefits you should.
What if I want help appealing my VA claim?
If VA incorrectly denies your Agent orange claim or gives you the wrong effective date, you should appeal their denial. It is often helpful to have a veterans disability attorney review VA’s denial to see what can be done.
We provide free consultations to veterans and their families to help them make sure they receive the benefits they should from VA. This article I wrote discusses more about how our free consultation process works. If you decide to hire us, you only pay us if we are successful in recovering benefits for you.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation, it only takes a couple of minutes to get that process started. You can either call our office at (770) 214-8885 or complete and submit our free consultation request form.
Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims. He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.
You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.
This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! For doing an awesome job.
I am a Veteran of United States Air Force and was awarded my first 30% in 1996 and have been fighting for my rating for 26 years I came to Perkins and Studdard in 2019 while my mom was in a terrible incident and was given to much anesthesia and through GODS Grace she was spared her life, She is disabled since 2018 and I have been struggling with my life and issues and yet I didn’t call the law firm every 10 minutes or call being rude anytime, I mentioned this as I got to know Jessica more than just a phone call and Mr Studdard was always available when not working on other cases or in court, They always called back and Never had to do a call back, My Review is Simple in Life there peaks and valleys and it doesn’t stop because you have issues, Perkins & Studdard took my case in 2019 in 2021 I received my 100% from VA, I Was Never Rude, I was Never Promised Success, I Was Never Lied too and I was Always Treated with Respect, Friendliness, and Kindness the Real Stuff not a (Money Thing) If You want a firm that Cares about the Client and will work on your case even through a pandemic, Will not lie, will not promise anything will communicate your case and will Give you their Best ALWAYS THIS IS THE Best Law Firm for VETS HANDS DOWN Perkins and Studdard THERE IS NO OTHER 100% we had 5 calls Total Case That’s Taking Care Of Business
Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. injury case. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. They denied extra physical therapy. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. When I turned my case over to Jason things turned around, QUICK. They were at all times attentive and on top of my case. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side.
Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Jason is a excellent lawyer and if I ever need another one I would only go to Perkins,Because I believe they would be able to help me in any situation I am in need of..
I recommend Perkins Law Firm. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me.
I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. But remember the ultimate goal – to win your VA disability compensation claim.
You may eventually get there on your own, but it may be after a series of decisions by the Regional Office and Board of Veterans Appeals. Sometimes claims are appealed and remanded several times, which can cause a claim to drag on for years. If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary delay in your claim and want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of success, it is probably a good idea for you to consult with an accredited veterans disability attorney.
We would be happy to talk to you. If you would like a free consultation with our Perkins Studdard veterans disability attorneys just click here or give us a call to begin the process.