DAV Jim Booe Chapter 86

It has been fifty-eight years since my exposure to Agent Orange.

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Like 2.7 million other American Vietnam veterans—and millions of Vietnamese civilians—I was unknowingly exposed to one of the most toxic chemicals ever used in warfare: TCDD, the deadly contaminant found in the herbicide we knew simply as Agent Orange. It earned its name from the orange stripe painted around the 55-gallon drums in which it was shipped.

Nine chemical companies manufactured Agent Orange for the U.S. military. Among the largest were Dow Chemical, Monsanto, Diamond Shamrock, Hercules Inc., and Uniroyal.

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The herbicide was sprayed indiscriminately across the Vietnamese countryside. Its mission was to strip away dense jungle vegetation and deny enemy forces cover. While it accomplished that objective, it left behind a devastating legacy that continues to affect veterans and civilians decades later.

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Today, many Vietnam veterans continue to battle illnesses associated with Agent Orange exposure. Parkinson's disease, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and numerous other conditions have been linked to exposure to this toxic chemical. For many of us, these are the hidden costs of serving in Vietnam.

In 2022, Congress passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, one of the most significant expansions of veterans' health care and disability benefits in generations. The law broadens eligibility for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic substances.

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Among its many provisions, the PACT Act:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures, including veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras.

• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions related to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.

• Expands the list of presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.

• Requires the VA to provide toxic exposure screenings to enrolled veterans.

• Improves research, medical treatment, and staff education regarding toxic exposure illnesses.

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If you are a veteran—or the survivor of a veteran—you may now be eligible for benefits that were previously unavailable.

f you're unsure where to begin, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is here to help.

Call our office at (386) 439-2122 to schedule an appointment with one of our accredited Service Officers. We'll review your unique situation, answer your questions, and help ensure you receive every benefit you've earned through your service.

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Larry Rekart
Commander
Disabled American Veterans
Jim Booe Chapter 86

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