Nashville Agent Orange Lawyer (38 CFR 3.307 & 3.309 & 3.816)

Despite the fact that many soldiers were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, the government for a long time denied any link between Agent Orange and major diseases among veterans. While the government officially recognizes the severe health impacts of Agent Orange, obtaining compensation for an Agent Orange-related disability can be difficult. Please contact a competent veterans disability benefits lawyer soon if you want assistance with a veterans disability claim.

Do You Qualify for Agent Orange Benefits?

To be accepted for VA benefits for an Agent Orange-related condition, you must demonstrate a number of factors. The qualifications are briefly described as follows:

Service – You must not only show that you fought in the Vietnam War, but also that you stepped on land or navigated the inland rivers. You won’t be able to show a link to Agent Orange if you’ve just ever flown over the nation. Based on particular diagnoses, there are certain exceptional exclusions for veterans who were stationed on ships offshore, known as “blue water veterans.” You can look for your ship on the VA website if you’re not sure if your water-based service qualifies.

Discharge – You will need to prove that you did not receive a dishonorable discharge from service.

Diagnosis – You must demonstrate you currently suffer from an illness linked to Agent Orange exposure. The following are some examples:

• Soft tissue sarcomas;
• Ischemic heart disease;
• Chronic B-cell leukemias;
• Prostate cancer;
• Multiple myeloma;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• Hodgkin’s disease;
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
• Small-cell lymphocytic lymphoma;
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
• Many other diseases and forms of cancer.

Blue water veterans will be eligible for compensation if they have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small-cell lymphocytic lymphoma, or non-lymphoma. Hodgkin’s Furthermore, if you have an illness that the VA has not officially classified, you may still be eligible for compensation if you can provide medical evidence that your sickness is linked to Agent Orange chemicals.

Agent Orange FAQ’s

What is Agent Orange?

During the Vietnam and Korean Wars, the military deployed Agent Orange as an herbicide. Agent Orange was sprayed over hundreds of acres of trees and plants in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, and was named from the orange band on the outside of their storage barrels. Although this chemical was first used to clean plants and trees, it was subsequently determined that it was exceedingly toxic to individuals who were exposed to it and might induce fatal infections. As a result, veterans who served in Vietnam, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Thai Air Force stations, or aboard C-123 Aircraft who have specified conditions may be eligible for disability compensation.

What Diseases Have Been Linked to Exposure to Agent Orange?

Before a veteran may start receiving disability payments, they must prove that they served on the ground in Vietnam, or near one of its rivers and that they are suffering from a covered ailment. These conditions are on a list of presumptive ailments that the VA believes are linked to a veteran’s Vietnam service. The following are the most prevalent presumptive illnesses found in veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange:

• AL amyloidosis;
• Chronic B-cell leukemia;
• Type 2 diabetes;
• Hodgkin’s disease;
• Multiple myeloma;
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• Peripheral neuropathy;
• Chloracne;
• Ischemic heart disease;
• Porphyria cutanea tarda;
• Lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea cancer;
• Prostate cancer; and
• Soft tissue sarcomas.

If I Suffer from a Non-Listed Disease, Can I Collect Benefits for Exposure to Agent Orange?

Many more ailments connected to Agent Orange exposure in recent studies have yet to be recognized by the VA, and hence remain ineligible for compensation through disability compensation.

Fortunately, veterans with ailments that aren’t on the VA’s presumption list of Agent Orange-related disorders may still be eligible for compensation if they can provide:

• Medical or scientific proof that the illness is linked to Agent Orange exposure; or
• Documentation that their disease started or worsened as a result of their military service.

Scientific proof could include articles from medical journals, as well as published research studies. However, veterans applying for benefits will also need to provide medical records demonstrating that they have a current disability and that there is a connection between their exposure and their illness.

Assisting With the Benefits Process

Depending on the ailment you have, you have many possibilities for filing for benefits related to Agent Orange. Our office can assess your case and advise you on the most appropriate application approach. You may be entitled to free registration checkups and a variety of medical treatments for your impairment if you qualify. Due to the constraints imposed by your sickness, you may be eligible for monthly monetary benefits to assist you in supporting yourself. If you have children who were born with birth defects as a result of your exposure to Agent Orange, you may be entitled to payments as well.

Contact A Nashville VA Disability Benefits Attorney for Help

If you suspect your disease is related to your exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, you should consult with a highly skilled veterans benefits attorney as soon as possible. Attorney James R. Comerford of the Comerford Law Office is dedicated to defending veteran rights and understands the challenges that might arise as a result of Agent Orange and other wartime situations. If you require assistance in getting benefits, please contact our office for additional information on how we may assist you.