The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released in January an updated Department of Defense (DOD) list of locations outside of Vietnam where tactical herbicides were used, tested or stored by the United States military.

DOD conducted a thorough review of research, reports and government publications in response to a November 2018 Government Accountability Office report.

The updated list includes Agents Orange, Pink, Green, Purple, Blue and White and other chemicals and will be updated as verifiable information becomes available.

The Department of Defense gave VA a list of dates and locations of herbicide tests and storage. To view dates and locations go to https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/agent orange.

In addition, the Institute of Medicine on “Veterans and Agent Orange” revealed their 11th Biennial Update. This was the final report required of the Veterans and Agent Orange series, which was required by the Agent Orange Act of 1991.

The study found there is enough evidence to prove an association between Agent Orange and hypertension. Agent orange exposed veterans had a significantly higher rate of hypertension than did other service members. Also, there is evidence of an association between AO exposure and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). MGUS is a clinically silent precursor to multiple myeloma. The committee is recommending these conditions be added to the list of presumptive conditions in 38 CFR 3.309€

While no official date of implementation has been published, it is a good practice to start filing the claims as associated with AO so that even if denied, you can potentially preserve an effective date, like what has happened in the past with Nehmer and The Blue Water Navy Act.

For answers to your questions or to file a claim, contact your local Veterans Service Officer, Jerry Seiner, at the Charles Mix County Courthouse at 605-487-7691 or by cell phone at 605-481-1338. Office hours are 8:00 to 4:30, Monday and Tuesday and 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday. You will need to call ahead to schedule an appointment to obtain admittance to the courthouse.