Agent Orange Exposure Compensation

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. Your dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits. The USS Truxtun is listed among those ships whose crew members went ashore in Da Nang Harbor on June 2, 1968 and October 25, 1969 and are presumed to be exposed.

The following is derived from US Department of Veterans Affairs site: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp where the complete details of the program are found.

Navy and Coast Guard Ships Associated with Service in Vietnam and Exposure to Herbicide Agents - July 2, 2018

Classification of ships relevant to USS Truxtun Crew members:

Classification IV. Ships operating on Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crew members went ashore
This category includes large ocean-going ships of the Blue Water Navy that conducted a variety of missions along the close coastal waters of Vietnam for extended periods of time. Documentary evidence has been obtained for all ships in this category showing that some crew members actually went ashore. Examples of such vessels include hospital ships, harbor repair ships, mine sweepers, and seaplane tenders. Also included are combat ships, such as destroyers, when evidence shows that crew members went ashore. Because shore activity of some crew members has been documented, any Veteran aboard the ship at the time of documented shore activity will be eligible for the presumption of exposure if that Veteran provides a lay statement of personally going ashore.

USS Truxtun (DLGN-35) sent small boats ashore from Da Nang Harbor on June 2, 1968 and October 25, 1969

Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange

VA assumes that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran's qualifying military service. We call these "presumptive diseases."
VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits for these diseases.

For the complete list of diseases visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp

Evidence Needed

If you are seeking service connection for one of the diseases VA presumes is associated with exposure to herbicides during service, VA requires the following:

A medical diagnosis of a disease which VA recognizes as being associated with Agent Orange (listed above)

Competent evidence of:

service in Vietnam or at or near the Korean demilitarized zone during the dates shown above, or
exposure to herbicides in a location other than the Vietnam or the Korean demilitarized zone.

Competent medical evidence that the disease began within the deadline (if any). (See 38 CFR 3.307(a)(6)(ii) => The diseases listed at §3.309(e) shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service, except that chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during active military, naval, or air service.)

More Information

Check VA's Guide to Agent Orange Claims to learn more about how to establish eligibility to disability compensation and how much VA pays. You can also call the Agent Orange Help Line at 1-800-749-8387 or send an e-mail to GW/AOHelpline@vba.va.gov. You must provide your name, e-mail address, telephone and/or fax number, and VA file number/Social Security Number. We will do our best to respond within a reasonable amount of time (usually 3 to 10 workdays).