As a result of the Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lawsuit that established a class action for veterans that suffered from Agent Orange exposure, the class of people eligible for compensation due to Agent Orange exposure has been significantly expanded.
The compensation class now includes those who served in the territorial waters of Vietnam. Previously, compensation for Agent Orange exposure was only available to those that had served on land.
In addition to the general expansion, the VA has announced that three additional conditions now qualify for compensation due to Agent Orange exposure. Those conditions now include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism. Parkinsonism is a term that refers to Parkinson’s disease and other, related neurological conditions. These conditions are now added to the list of diseases that are presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure for service members who served in Vietnam.
Veterans and survivors who have already filed claims that were previously denied need not file anything new to receive death or disability benefits. Due to existing court orders, the VA will automatically review their records for any newly eligible claims that were previously denied.
For help in filing for your veteran’s disability and death benefits, please call Mitchell, Brown & Associates at (314) 962-0186.
