New Agent Orange Benefits Claims Being Paid by VA

As previously announced, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding health care benefits coverage for veterans suffering from Agent Orange exposure. Approximately 200,000 Vietnam veterans could be eligible to receive disability compensation for medical conditions associated with Agent Orange. The expanded coverage will include compensation for individuals who are suffering from Parkinson's disease, B-Cell leukemia, and ischemic heart disease.

With the anticipated increase in compensation claims, the VA is launching a series of improvements to ensure claims are processed in a timely manner. Says Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, "These initiatives show VA's ongoing resolve to modernize its processed for handling claims through automation and improvements in doing business, providing veterans with faster and more accurate decisions on their applications for benefits."

Payment for the new Agent Orange claims is expected to take several months to complete. However, the VA encourages all Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and who suffer from any of the associated diseases to file an application for disability compensation.

For more information on the 12 other illnesses covered by Agent Orange benefits, refer to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Press Release: VA Encourages Affected Vietnam Veterans to File Claims.

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