VA Disability for Agent Orange Neurological Conditions

Agent Orange has been connected to a range of debilitating diseases affecting the entire body, including the nervous system. Veterans who were exposed to this herbicide may be able to connect their neurological conditions to their service for VA disability compensation. 

We explain which neurological conditions the VA has recognized as being caused by Agent Orange exposure and what veterans can do if their neurological condition is not presumptively service connected to the chemical.

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange was a defoliant—a chemical used to remove leaves from trees and plants—widely used by the military during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was also stored on U.S. soil, and some soldiers were exposed to the herbicide on Navy ships and Air Force planes. VA officials say it’s impossible to know how many people were exposed to Agent Orange, but millions may have been exposed.

The herbicide contained a deadly chemical, dioxin, which is carcinogenic, and the World Health Organization classifies Agent Orange as dangerous. The government knew dioxin was harmful but did not think American soldiers would be directly exposed to it as they dropped it from planes.

Exposure to Agent Orange can cause many serious health issues. It’s linked to skin diseases, miscarriages, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, neuropathy, and more. 

In this article, we will focus on Agent Orange’s effects on the nervous system.

Agent Orange and neurological disorders

The VA formally recognizes Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s-like symptoms or Parkinsonism, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy as caused by Agent Orange exposure. Additionally, the VA recognizes AL amyloidosis, a condition that can affect multiple areas of the body including the nerves, as connected to Agent Orange.

Service connecting other neurological disorders

Over the decades, researchers have struggled to understand the full immediate and delayed effects of Agent Orange on the nervous system. However, recent studies have suggested Agent Orange may cause neurological damage, put exposed individuals on a path to neurodegenerative disease, and may increase their risk of early-onset dementia.

To file a VA claim for a neurological condition you believe was caused by Agent Orange, you will need to provide evidence supporting the connection. This evidence can include a medical diagnosis, and evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

With sufficient evidence to support a service connection, such as a medical nexus from a trained and licensed professional, you may still be able to file a successful claim for a neurological condition like dementia caused by Agent Orange, even if the condition is not presumptive.

VA ratings for neurological disorders

The VA rating for your neurological disorder will depend on what condition you have or which nerve is affected. All neurological ratings are found in the Schedule of Ratings section on neurological and convulsive disorders.

Below, we share the rating criteria for neurological disorders the VA recognizes as connected to Agent Orange exposure.

Parkinson’s and Parkinsonism

Both Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-like symptoms or Parkinsonism are rated using diagnostic code 8004 for paralysis agitans. The criteria provides a minimum rating of 30% to anyone who qualifies for VA disability for the condition. This rating will increase based on the severity of the veteran’s symptoms, up to 100% in some cases.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy may affect multiple nerves in the body, particularly those in the hands and feet. The VA rates the condition based on which nerves are affected. Each damaged nerve is assigned its own rating based on the severity of the nerve’s paralysis or whether the nerve damage is considered neuralgia or neuritis. If more than one nerve is damaged, these individual ratings are then combined using VA math to get one final combined rating.

Peripheral neuropathy must be early-onset to qualify for an Agent Orange presumptive.

AL amyloidosis

AL amyloidosis is a rare but serious health condition that primarily affects the body’s proteins. It is not classified as a neurological condition, but can affect multiple organs and body systems, including the nervous system. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who qualify for an AL amyloidosis presumptive VA rating will automatically receive a 100% rating.

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TDIU for neurological disorders

In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for a neurological condition. TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.

Veterans with neurological disorders may find it difficult to work. Depending on the condition, their cognition and ability to focus, think clearly, and communicate may be impaired. Those with painful nerve damage may struggle to sit or stand comfortably for long periods of time. They may no longer have the necessary fine motor skills needed to do many types of jobs, like typing or assembling. Because neurological conditions present such a large set of symptoms, there are many reasons a veteran with a neurological disorder might not be able to work.

Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.

Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:

• At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
• Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more

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