If the VA already service-connected your agent orange (also called herbicide, herbicides, herbicide agent, herbicide agents), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected agent orange commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (agent orange) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. Nexus letter sample and template →
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after your last herbicide exposure in service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service. The rule says hypertension, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease do not count as ischemic heart disease. High blood pressure is now its own item on the list in the law (38 U.S.C. 1116).
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after your last herbicide exposure in service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after your last herbicide exposure in service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e). If you were exposed to an herbicide agent in service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it. It must have shown up to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing qualifying herbicide exposure in service, such as service in the Republic of Vietnam (including its offshore waters) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, a unit that operated in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or regular duty on the C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicides. The law (38 U.S.C. 1116, as changed by the PACT Act) also counts service at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; and on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. For the Korean DMZ, the law (38 U.S.C. 1116B) starts the window on September 1, 1967.
Added to the herbicide list in the law, 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2), by the PACT Act (2022). The law makes it presumptive even though the regulation list in 38 CFR 3.309(e) has not been updated to include it. If you performed covered service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing covered service under 38 U.S.C. 1116(d): service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975; at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976, no matter where on the base you were or what your job was; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; or on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. The law also covers service offshore of Vietnam in the same Vietnam dates (38 U.S.C. 1116A) and in or near the Korean DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 (38 U.S.C. 1116B).
Added to the herbicide list in the law, 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2), by the PACT Act (2022). The law makes it presumptive even though the regulation list in 38 CFR 3.309(e) has not been updated to include it. If you performed covered service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing covered service under 38 U.S.C. 1116(d): service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975; at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976, no matter where on the base you were or what your job was; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; or on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. The law also covers service offshore of Vietnam in the same Vietnam dates (38 U.S.C. 1116A) and in or near the Korean DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 (38 U.S.C. 1116B).
Added to the herbicide list in the law, 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2), by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The law makes it presumptive even though the regulation list in 38 CFR 3.309(e) has not been updated to include it. If you performed covered service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing covered service under 38 U.S.C. 1116(d): service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975; at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976, no matter where on the base you were or what your job was; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; or on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. The law also covers service offshore of Vietnam in the same Vietnam dates (38 U.S.C. 1116A) and in or near the Korean DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 (38 U.S.C. 1116B).
Added to the herbicide list in the law, 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2), by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The law makes it presumptive even though the regulation list in 38 CFR 3.309(e) has not been updated to include it. If you performed covered service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing covered service under 38 U.S.C. 1116(d): service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975; at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976, no matter where on the base you were or what your job was; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; or on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. The law also covers service offshore of Vietnam in the same Vietnam dates (38 U.S.C. 1116A) and in or near the Korean DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 (38 U.S.C. 1116B).
Added to the herbicide list in the law, 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(2), by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The law makes it presumptive even though the regulation list in 38 CFR 3.309(e) has not been updated to include it. If you performed covered service, VA presumes the link, so you do not have to prove what caused it.
What you'd need: A current diagnosis of this condition, plus records showing covered service under 38 U.S.C. 1116(d): service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975; at any U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand from January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976, no matter where on the base you were or what your job was; in Laos from December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969; at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia from April 16, 1969 to April 30, 1969; on Guam or American Samoa, or in their territorial waters, from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980; or on Johnston Atoll, or on a ship that called there, from January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977. The law also covers service offshore of Vietnam in the same Vietnam dates (38 U.S.C. 1116A) and in or near the Korean DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 (38 U.S.C. 1116B).