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| VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA, INC., Chapter 820, Bend, Oregon |
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The dark areas show where the fifteen different hericides were sprayed during the Vietnam War.
____________________________________________________________ A Short History and Technical Explanation of the Herbicides Sprayed in Vietnam It is a misnomer to believe that Vietnam veterans were exposed to a single herbicide--Agent Orange. In fact, during the time that herbicides were used in Vietnam, we were exposed to fifteen different varities in varying quantities. Agent Orange was the herbicide used the most and in vast quantities-some 21,000,000 gallons. The Fifteen Herbicides Used in Vietnam
PURPLE: A formulation of 2,4,-D and 2,4,5,-T used between 1962 and 1964.
GREEN: Contained 2,4,5-T and was used 1962-1964.
PINK: Contained 2,4,5-T and was used 1962-1964.
ORANGE: A formulation of 2,4,-D and 2,4,5-T used between 1965 and 1970.
WHITE: A formulation of Picloram and 2,4,-D.
BLUE: Contained cacodylic acid.
ORANGE II: A formulation of 2,4,-D and 2,4,5-T used in 1968 and 1969 (also sometimes referred to as "Super Orange")
DINOXOL: A formulation of 2,4,-D and 2,4,,5-T. Small quantities were tested in Vietnam between 1962 and 1964.
TRINOXOL: Contained 2,4,5-T. Small quantities tested in Vietnam 1962-1964.
BROMACIL, DIQUAT, TANDEX, MONURON, DIURON and DALAPON:
Small quantities of the above were tested in 1962-1964.
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The potentially deadly Agent Orange and other herbicide side effects recognized by the Department of Veteran Affairs include:
Prostate Cancer;
Respiratory Cancers (cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea);
Multiple Myeloma;
Type II Diabetes;
Hodgkins Disease;
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia;
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma;
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma);
Chloracne, or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne (must occur within one year of exposure to Agent Orange);
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (must occur within one year of exposure to Agent Orange); and
Peripheral Neuropathy (the term acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy means temporary peripheral neuropathy that appears within weeks or months of exposure to an herbicide agent and resolves within two years of the date of onset.)
The VA will also provide medical care and compensation for children of Vietnam veterans with Spina Bifida if the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange.
As of January 23, 2003, more than 10,000 Vietnam veterans were receiving VA disability compensation for herbicide-related illnesses. Enter images and other content here | | | |
What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed to Herbicides, or You Believe You Have a Herbicide-related Disease In 1978, the Veterans Administration, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), set up the Agent Orange Registry health examination program for Vietnam veterans concerned with the possible long-term medical effects of exposure to Agent Orange. Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in this program should contact the nearest VA medical center for an examination. More than 315,000 Vietnam Veterans have completed this examination.
Veterans who participate in this examination are asked about their possible exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. A medical history is taken, a physical examination is performed, and a series of basic laboratory tests, such as a chest x-ray (if appropriate), urinalysis, and blood tests, are done. If medically required, consultations with other health specialists are scheduled. However, no special Agent Orange tests are offered because there is no way to show that Agent Orange or other herbicides used during Vietnam caused individual medical problems. There are tests that show body dioxin levels, but the VA does not perform them because there is serious question about their value to veterans. VA also makes a presumption of Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans.
The veteran is informed of the results of the examination during a personal interview and gets a follow-up letter further describing the findings. Each veteran is given the opportunity to ask for an explanation and advice. Sometimes a follow-up examination or additional laboratory tests are scheduled because of the possibility of previously undetected medical problems being present. These discoveries can help veterans get prompt treatment for their illnesses. Some veterans think they are in good health, but are worried that exposure to Agent Orange and other substances may have caused some hidden illnesses. The knowledge that a complete medical examination does not show any problems can be reassuring or helpful to Registry participants. All examination and test results are kept in the veterans permanent medical record. These data are entered into the VA Agent Orange Registry.
Under Section 102, Public Law 104-262, the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, the VA is required to furnish hospital care, medical services and may furnish nursing home care to veterans exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. These veterans will be furnished health care and without the requirement of a co-payment. There are some restrictions. VA cannot provide such care for a (1) disability which VA determines did not result from exposure to Agent Orange, or (2) disease which the NAS has determined that there is limited/suggestive evidence of no association between occurrence of the disease and exposure to an herbicide agent.
VA pays disability compensation to Vietnam veterans with injuries or illnesses incurred in or aggravated by their military service. Veterans do not have to prove that Agent Orange caused their medical problems to be eligible for compensation. Rather, VA must determine that the disability is service-connected. A Veterans Services Representative, at a VA medical center or regional office, can explain the compensation program in greater detail and assist veterans who need help in applying. For more information about the VA's Agent Orange program call the toll-free help-line: 1-800-749-8387; for disability compensation program information, call toll-free: 1-800-827-1000.
Source: "Agent Orange," Department of Veterans Affairs (July 2003)
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