My uncle and my father were both Vietnam vets. My uncle’s pancreas was destroyed by Agent Orange and he was on disability. (If you’re curious, a pancreas is worth exactly $110,000 to the US government.) After my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he filed with the military for AO exposure and was given some sort of additional pension... can’t remember how much. He was unconvinced that was the cause, but friends told him to file and sure enough, it was accepted.
prostate cancer is a later add to AO exposure. They are adding stuff all the time.
Recent new adds plus
https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/
scratchin my head about some of these, but the survey results about how many Viet Vets have these things vs non-Viet Vets is through the roof.
Just an FYI...new - those who served in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971 are now eligible for AO disability benefits. (A lot of vets don’t know this)
Also, Blue Water Navy is added to the list.
Note - there aren’t many boots on the ground Viet Vets left... surviving spouses are eligible for benefits base on the veteran’s disability.