Most medical professionals agree that the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War led veterans to develop numerous diseases, including various types of cancer. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has outlined various conditions that they have identified as directly caused by Agent Orange to qualify as a “presumptive” condition for service-connected disability purposes. However, various criteria must be met in order for the veteran to be eligible for service-connection; for example, serving in one of the enumerated locations and during the corresponding presumptive period of time must also be met. Below are the various conditions believed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
If you suffer from a disease that you believe was caused by your exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, regardless of whether the condition is considered “presumptive,” please contact our veterans benefits attorneys to discuss your eligibility for veterans disability benefits.
Cancers Attributed to Agent Orange Exposure
Some of the cancers attributed to Agent Orange exposure are:
- Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that attacks a man’s prostate gland.
- Respiratory cancer: This type of cancer can attack the lungs, trachea, bronchus, and larynx.
- Soft tissue sarcomas: Soft tissue sarcomas attack muscles, fat, lymph glands, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
- Chronic B-cell Leukemia: This type of cancer attacks the white blood cells.
- Hodgkin’s disease: This cancer increases the size of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver and lowers the body’s red blood cell count.
- Multiple myeloma: This type of cancer attacks the body’s plasma cells.
Other Diseases
Other diseases attributed to Agent Orange exposure include:
- AL amyloidosis: This is a rare disease that occurs if amyloid, which is an abnormal kind of protein, builds up inside the bodily tissue, the nerves, or the organs.
- Chloracne: Chloracne is a skin problem that occurs shortly after exposure to certain chemicals.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2: This disease occurs when someone’s body can’t process insulin properly, which results in elevated levels of sugar in the blood.
- Ischemic heart disease: This disease occurs when the heart doesn’t receive a sufficient amount of blood or oxygen, and it often results in pain or discomfort in the chest area.
- Parkinson’s disease: This disease attacks the muscles and impairs movement.
Do you suffer from a medical condition caused by Agent Orange?
While this piece provides some of the problems and conditions attributed to Agent Orange exposure, there are many more that are believed to be caused by these chemicals. If you were exposed to Agent Orange and suffer from health problems of any kind, you may be eligible for veterans disability benefits. At Disability Law Group, our veterans benefits attorneys are here to help you obtain the benefits you deserve. We respect our veterans, and we’re committed to assisting you with every step of the veterans disability benefits process, including appealing your denial to protect your rights.
If you live in Macomb County, Oakland County, Wayne County, or elsewhere in Michigan and suffer from a medical condition that you believe was caused by your exposure to Agent Orange, we’re on your side. At Disability Law Group, disability is all we do. Please contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation.
