What Is the Average Compensation for Agent Orange? – NerdWallet

The minimum payment for at least one Agent Orange-related condition is $1,663.06 in 2023 and $1,716.28 in 2024 per month if the U.S. military veteran has an average 70% combined disability rating and no dependents. The extent of the disability and the number of dependents influence the monthly benefit^[0]

How much does Veterans Affairs (VA) pay for Agent Orange?

Veteran disability pay rates fall into two categories: those for unmarried veterans and married veterans. The mix of disability rating, types of dependents and number of dependents determine a veteran’s monthly payment.

• The more severe a disability, the larger the benefit.

• The more dependents a veteran has (and whether the dependents are parents, children or a spouse), the larger the benefit, but only if their disability rating is 30% or higher.

Who qualifies for Agent Orange compensation?

To qualify for Agent Orange compensation, you need to meet two basic requirements:

1. You served in a location where Agent Orange was used.

2. You have a health condition caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

To meet the first requirement, you must have served in at least one of these locations:

• The Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.

• On a U.S. military vessel that operated in Vietnam’s waterways from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.

• On a vessel that operated not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.

• Any Royal Thai or U.S. military base in Thailand from Jan. 9, 1962, to June 30, 1976.

• In Laos from Dec. 1, 1965, to Sept. 30, 1969.

• In American Samoa or Guam, or in their territorial waters, from Jan. 9, 1962, to July 31, 1980.

• At Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called there from Jan. 1, 1972, to Sept. 30, 1977.

• At the Korean DMZ (or near it) from Sept. 1, 1967, to Aug. 31, 1971.

• You were on active duty in a regular Air Force unit where a C-123 aircraft that had traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and during your duties had repeated contact with this aircraft.

• During your military service, you were involved in testing, storing, transporting or otherwise using Agent Orange.

• As a reservist, you were assigned to certain medical, ground or flight duties at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio from 1969 to 1986, Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts from 1972 to 1982, or Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1982^[0]

The VA automatically presumes that Agent Orange causes certain conditions, so you don’t need to prove that your exposure caused them to receive compensation.

These health conditions include:

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

• Lung cancer and other respiratory cancers.

• Certain soft tissue sarcomas.

• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

• Chloracne and other acneiform diseases.

• Diabetes mellitus type 2.

• Early onset peripheral neuropathy that’s at least 10% disabling with a year of Agent Orange exposure.

• Porphyria cutanea tarda that’s at least 10% disabling within a year of Agent Orange exposure^[0]

How do I apply for Agent Orange compensation?

Here are the steps for applying for Agent Orange compensation.

You’ll need information about where you served and about your health conditions.

This includes discharge or separation papers that show the location and time of your service, and may include DD214 or other separation documents. If you served on a C-123 aircraft, you’ll need to submit one or more of the following forms:

• USAF Form 2096 (unit where you were assigned at the time of the training action).

• USAF Form 5 (aircraft flight duties).

• USAF Form 781 (aircraft maintenance duties).

If your medical condition isn’t on the presumptive conditions list, you may still qualify for compensation. You’ll need to provide the VA with at least one of these two types of documentation that your condition is due to Agent Orange exposure:

• Evidence showing your medical condition started while serving or got worse because of your service.

• Evidence that Agent Orange caused your condition. This may include published research or an article from a medical journal.

You can do this online, in person at the VA, by mail or with a trained professional.

• If you need help applying for benefits, visit your local VA office, call 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) or work with an accredited VA representative (VSO).

• If your claim relates to a C-123 aircraft, you can also call the C-123 hotline at 800-749-8387 (TTY: 711) or email the St. Paul regional benefit office at [email protected].

If you have questions about the claim you’ve filed, you can reach out to the Agent Orange help line by phone at 800-749-8387 (TTY: 711), or email GW/[email protected]. Be ready to provide your VA file number or Social Security number, name, telephone number and email address.