VA Expands Agent Orange Illness List

Week of October 19, 2009

The Department of Veterans Affairs established a service-connection for Vietnam veterans suffering from Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and B-cell leukemias such as hairy-cell leukemia. These illnesses are now considered "presumed" illnesses. This "presumption" simplifies and speeds up the application process for VA benefits. It is important to note that this new policy will not go into effect until sometime in 2010. At which point affected veterans will be urged to submit new disability claims. Additional information about Agent Orange and VA's services and programs for veterans exposed to the chemical are available at VA's Agent Orange webpage, or call the toll-free helpline at 800-749-8387.