VA Officials Process First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives

Author: Veterans News
Published: 2010/12/21
Category Topic: Disabled Veterans News - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Disability compensation applications for Vietnam veterans with diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange.

Introduction

Department of Veterans Affairs processors have decided more than 28,000 claims in the first six weeks of processing disability compensation applications from Vietnam veterans with diseases related to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.

Main Content

"With new technology and ongoing improvements, we are quickly removing roadblocks to processing benefits," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "We are also conducting significant outreach to Vietnam veterans to encourage them to submit their completed application for this long-awaited benefit."

VA officials published a final regulation on Aug. 31 that makes veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam and who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease or a B-cell, also known as hairy-cell, leukemia eligible for health care and disability compensation benefits. With the expiration on Oct. 30 of the required 60-day congressional review, VA representatives now are able to process these claims.

Vietnam veterans covered under the new policy are encouraged to file their claims through a new VA Web portal at www.fasttrack.va.gov. Vietnam veterans are the first users of this convenient automated claims processing system.

If treated for these diseases outside of VA's health system, it is important for Veterans to gather medical evidence from their non-VA physicians. VA officials have made it easy for physicians to supply the clinical findings needed to approve the claim through the new Web portal. These medical forms are also available at www.vba.va.gov/disabilityexams.

The portal guides veterans through Web-based menus to capture information and medical evidence required for faster claims decisions. While the new system currently is limited to these three disabilities, usage will expand soon to include claims for other conditions.

VA statisticians have begun collecting data that recaps the progress in processing claims for new Agent Orange benefits at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/agentorange/reportcard/index.html

Explore Similar Topics

• : Introducing bipartisan legislation to end unfair offset of retirement pay and disability benefits for military retirees.

• : The Major Richard Star Act would repeal current unfair offset, allowing disabled veterans to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation.

• : U.S. Department of Defense to welcome home disabled veterans and certain caregivers with Army and Air Force Exchange Service in-store shopping privileges.

▶ Share Page

Citing and References

- APA | MLA | Chicago | Permalink

APA: Veterans News. (2010, December 21). VA Officials Process First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved November 15, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/agent-orange.php

MLA: Veterans News. "VA Officials Process First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives." Disabled World (DW), 21 Dec. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2025. <www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/agent-orange.php>.

Chicago: Veterans News. "VA Officials Process First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives." Disabled World (DW). December 21, 2010. www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/agent-orange.php.

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/agent-orange.php">VA Officials Process First Claims for New Agent Orange Presumptives</a>: Disability compensation applications for Vietnam veterans with diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange.

While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, our content is for general informational purposes only. Please consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.