VA presumes herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure for qualifying service in Vietnam, the Korean DMZ, and — after the PACT Act — Thailand, Laos, parts of Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll, each during a specific date window. If you have one of the 50+ presumptive conditions and qualifying service, VA presumes the link. The PACT Act also added hypertension to the list.
Straight talk first
Agent Orange is the original presumptive fight, and it's still expanding. For a long time it meant "boots in Vietnam" and nothing else — which left out the guys at Thai air bases, along the Korean DMZ, and at storage sites who breathed and handled the same chemicals. The PACT Act widened the map, and VA keeps adding to it. So even if you were told years ago you didn't qualify, the location list today may include where you served. Worth a fresh check.
This is the herbicide-specific cut of the framework on VA presumptive conditions.
Covered locations and date windows
VA presumes herbicide exposure for qualifying service in these locations (confirm against VA's current list — windows are exact):
- Republic of Vietnam — Jan 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975.
- Korean DMZ — units determined to have operated along it, Sept 1, 1967 – Aug 31, 1971.
- Thailand — U.S. or Royal Thai military bases, Jan 9, 1962 – June 30, 1976.
- Laos — Dec 1, 1965 – Sept 30, 1969.
- Cambodia — Mimot or Krek, Apr 16 – Apr 30, 1969.
- Guam or American Samoa (and territorial waters) — Jan 9, 1962 – July 31, 1980.
- Johnston Atoll — Jan 1, 1972 – Sept 30, 1977.
VA periodically adds locations (a further expansion was proposed in 2025 but isn't final), so always confirm the current list. Match your service in the Presumptive Conditions Checker.
The presumptive conditions (50+)
The list includes — but isn't limited to — ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, type 2 diabetes, several cancers (bladder, respiratory, prostate, certain leukemias and lymphomas), early-onset peripheral neuropathy, AL amyloidosis, chloracne, and hypothyroidism. The PACT Act added hypertension and MGUS, and VA added further conditions (certain leukemias and genitourinary cancers) effective January 2025.
The hypertension addition matters: many veterans pursued it the hard way as a secondary condition — if you have qualifying herbicide exposure, the presumptive path is usually easier.
What you still have to do
A presumption removes proving exposure and the nexus, not the claim:
- Current diagnosis of a listed condition.
- Qualifying service (location + dates).
- File and identify the herbicide presumptive.
Off the location list? Fall back to a direct claim — read how to file your own claim. Once a condition is rated, run it through the VA Combined Rating Calculator.
Key takeaways
- VA presumes herbicide exposure for qualifying service in Vietnam, the Korean DMZ, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll (specific windows).
- 50+ presumptive conditions; the PACT Act added hypertension and MGUS, with more added January 2025.
- The location list keeps expanding — recheck even if you were denied before.
- You still need a diagnosis, qualifying service, and a filed claim.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does VA presume Agent Orange exposure?
- Vietnam (Jan 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975), the Korean DMZ (units along it Sept 1, 1967 – Aug 31, 1971), and PACT Act-added locations including Thailand military bases (through June 30, 1976), Laos, parts of Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll during their specific windows. VA periodically adds locations, so check the current list.
- What conditions are presumptive for Agent Orange?
- More than 50, including ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, several cancers (bladder, respiratory, prostate, certain leukemias and lymphomas), type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (early-onset), and — added under the PACT Act — hypertension and MGUS. Check VA's current list for the exact conditions.
- Did the PACT Act change Agent Orange eligibility?
- Yes. It added covered locations (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, Johnston Atoll) and added conditions including hypertension and MGUS. VA also added further conditions effective in January 2025, including certain leukemias and genitourinary cancers.
- What if I was exposed but my location isn't listed?
- You can still file a direct claim and prove exposure and a nexus with evidence — for example, records placing you where herbicides were used. Presumptive status is the shortcut; a direct claim is the fallback.
Sources
- VA — Agent Orange exposure and disability compensation: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/
- VA Public Health — Exposure to Agent Orange by location: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/locations/index.asp
- VA Public Health — Diseases associated with Agent Orange: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/
- 38 CFR 3.307 / 3.309 — presumptive service connection (herbicides): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/section-3.309
