Statutory basis: The PACT Act — Pub. L. 117-168, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 — is the underlying statute for every rule on this page.
The Agent Orange presumptive-condition list has been expanded repeatedly since the initial 1991 authorization — most recently and expansively by PACT in 2022. This 2026 running tracker captures the current presumptive list, the added exposure locations under PACT, and how to file (or re-file) a claim for a newly-covered condition.
Current presumptive conditions
Agent Orange presumptive conditions (representative — see 38 CFR § 3.309(e) for the authoritative list):
- Prostate cancer.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma.
- Respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, trachea, bronchus).
- Soft-tissue sarcomas.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism.
- Peripheral neuropathy (early-onset).
- Chloracne.
- Bladder cancer (added 2021).
- Hypothyroidism (added 2021).
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (added under PACT 2022).
- Hypertension (added under PACT 2022).
Conditions added under PACT (2022) — hypertension and MGUS
PACT made two major Agent Orange additions:
- Hypertension — huge scope, because hypertension is common in older veterans. Any covered Agent Orange–exposed veteran diagnosed with hypertension can file a presumptive claim.
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) — a precursor to multiple myeloma, previously not presumptive.
Both additions were effective on PACT's enactment date. Retroactive back pay may be available if the veteran was diagnosed before PACT passed.
Expanded exposure locations
PACT also expanded the geographic scope of Agent Orange presumption:
- Thailand — service at specific Royal Thai Air Force bases (U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang) with duties along the base perimeter.
- Laos — specified units.
- Cambodia — Mimot or Krek from April 16, 1969 through April 30, 1969.
- Guam and American Samoa — service between January 9, 1962 and July 31, 1980.
- Johnston Atoll — service between January 1, 1972 and September 30, 1977.
Blue Water Navy (offshore Vietnam waters) coverage — first restored by Procopio v. Wilkie (2019) and codified by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (2019) — remains in effect under PACT.
How to file for a newly-covered condition
- Confirm your service location matches one of the expanded PACT locations OR the original Vietnam-era locations.
- Get a current medical diagnosis of the specific listed condition.
- File on VA Form 21-526EZ, citing 38 CFR § 3.309(e) and the specific listed condition.
- If you already have a service-connected condition and want to add a new one, use VA Form 21-526EZ as a "new condition" claim.
Re-filing previously-denied claims
If you were denied for one of the newer additions (hypertension, MGUS, bladder cancer, hypothyroidism) before it became presumptive, you can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) with the presumption change as the "new and relevant evidence." In many cases the VA will grant retroactive to the original claim's effective date — which can mean many years of back pay.
FAQs
Can I file if I served in Vietnam but only briefly, or only offshore?
Yes — Vietnam in-country service or Blue Water Navy waters both qualify.
What about surviving spouses of Vietnam-era veterans?
DIC claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 apply when the veteran died of a presumptive condition. Newly-added conditions can support DIC claims for surviving spouses.
Is Air Force herbicide-cargo handling covered?
Reservists who handled C-123 aircraft between 1972 and 1982 (the "Fairchild C-123 Ranch Hand" units) are covered as a distinct presumption.
Related
See the PACT Act 2026 tracker, PACT Act presumptive conditions (full list), and PACT Act appeals process.