What Is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange Presumptives

Because Agent Orange contains dioxin, a highly toxic byproduct, it can have a significant negative impact on the human body. Having a thorough understanding of Agent Orange’s consequences is crucial for maintaining good health. Let’s examine how the pesticide impacts your body and the many health issues linked to exposure to Agent Orange.

What are the long-term effects of Agent Orange?

The presence of dioxin, a highly poisonous byproduct of Agent Orange, can have a major negative influence on the human body. For you to take care of your health, you must comprehend the impacts of Agent Orange. Let’s examine the many health issues linked to exposure to Agent Orange and how the pesticide impacts your body.

Effects of Agent Orange Exposure on the Human Body

Neurological Disorders – Dioxin can influence the nervous system, causing disruptions in neurons’ regular functions and resulting in a variety of neurological diseases. Some neurological conditions linked to exposure to Agent Orange include:

    • Multiple sclerosis – Some research suggests that environmental factors, including exposure to toxins like dioxin, might increase the risk of developing this autoimmune disease.

    • Parkinson’s disease – Exposure to toxic chemicals like dioxin can contribute to the development of this progressive nervous system disorder.

    • Peripheral neuropathy – Numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the limbs can be brought on by damaged nerves.

Cancer – Numerous cancers have been connected to exposure to Agent Orange. Agent Orange’s dioxin can damage DNA, which can induce uncontrolled cell development and the growth of malignant tumors. Here are a few cancers linked to exposure to Agent Orange:

 

    • Soft tissue sarcoma

    • Hodgkin’s disease

    • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

    • Chronic B-cell leukemias

    • Prostate cancer

    • Respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea)

    • Multiple myeloma

Skin Conditions – Due to its toxic nature, Agent Orange can result in a variety of skin disorders. Dioxin harms skin cells, causes inflammation, and interferes with normal skin processes. Skin problems linked to exposure to Agent Orange include:

 

    • Skin cancers – Extended exposure to Agent Orange may increase the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

    • Chloracne – A severe form of acne that can be caused by exposure to dioxin. It can cause painful, deep cysts and can leave lasting scars on the skin.

    • Skin rashes – Dioxin exposure can cause skin inflammation and irritation, leading to red, itchy, and uncomfortable rashes that may persist and affect your daily life.

Cardiovascular Issues – Dioxin, a component of Agent Orange, can exacerbate cardiovascular problems by inflaming blood vessels, altering blood flow, and interfering with the heart’s regular rhythm. Agent Orange exposure-related cardiovascular issues include:

 

    • Peripheral arterial disease – Narrowing of the arteries in the legs can cause leg pain, cramping, and poor circulation, affecting mobility and quality of life.

    • Ischemic heart disease – Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle can cause chest pain and increase the risk of heart attacks.

    • Hypertension – Elevated blood pressure can put extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

If you’re experiencing one of these 42 conditions and were exposed to Agent Orange during your military service, the VA will automatically assume your exposure caused these conditions, making it easier for you to get a VA disability rating. These include:

 

    • AL Amyloidosis 

    • Chronic B-cell Leukemias

    • Chloracne (or other similar acneform disease)

    • Type 2 Diabetes 

    • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

    • Ischemic Heart Disease

    • Multiple Myeloma

    • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 

    • Parkinson’s Disease

    • Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy 

    • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda – A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA’s rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.

    • Prostate Cancer 

    • Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer) – Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.

    • Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma) – A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues.

Here’s the VA list of presumptive Agent Orange birth defects for children of women Vietnam veterans:

 

    • Achondroplasia

    • Cleft lip and cleft palate

    • Congenital heart disease

    • Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot)

    • Esophageal and intestinal atresia

    • Hallerman-Streiff syndrome

    • Hip dysplasia

    • Hirschprung’s disease (congenital megacolon)

    • Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis

    • Hypospadias

    • Imperforate anus

    • Neural tube defects

    • Poland syndrome

    • Pyloric stenosis

    • Syndactyly (fused digits)

    • Tracheoesophageal fistula

    • Undescended testicle

    • Williams syndrome

File Your Claim For Agent Orange Today!