Illnesses/diseases Recognized by the VA as connected to agent orange herbicide exposure

Causes from agent orange:

acute peripheral neuropathy: a tempo- rary dysfunction of the nervous system characterized by involuntary “tingling” or numbness in the extremities adult onset type II diabetes Mellitus (and subsequent complications caused by): non-insulin dependent and charac- terized by high blood sugars al amyloidosis: a rare group of diseases that results from the abnormal deposition of a particular protein called amyloid in various tissues of the body *chloracne: an acne-like eruption on the skin due to prolonged exposure to certain chlorinated compounds hodgkins disease: a tumor found in the lymph nodes characterized by increas- ing enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and accompanied by progressive anemia Ischemic (or ischaemic) heart disease: a heart condition resulting when the arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There may be a buildup of cholesterol and other sub- stances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tis- sue. Over time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more difficult for the heart to fill and release blood. It is the most common cause of congestive heart failure. non-hodgkins lymphoma: Non-Hodg- kins lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small-cell lymphocytic lymphoma: a rare type of cancer which causes malignant tumors of the lymph nodes, distinguished from Hodgkins disease by the absence of giant Reed-Sternberg cells. parkinson’s disease: a neurological disease limiting the ability to control some muscles. Caused by a gradual loss of dopamine-manufacturing cells in the brain, Parkinson’s disease often causes movement and muscle problems and may be accompanied by slight, uncontrolled shaking of the arms and legs. *peripheral neuropathy: a dysfunction of the nervous system involving either the somatic nerves or the autonomic nervous system (see Acute Peripheral Neuropathy); can cause sensory loss, atrophy, and muscle weakness *porphyria cutanea tarda: characterized by skin lesions on exposed portions of the body and pigment changes in the skin; liver disease occurs in some patients spina bifida in children conceived after the veteran first arrived in Vietnam: characterized by a defective closure of the spinal cord in which the cord may be exposed and/or protrude sub-acute peripheral neuropathy: a nervous system disorder either acute (temporary) or chronic (long-term) – see acute peripheral neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy cancers cancer of the bronchus: a malignant tumor found in the bronchus, an extension of the windpipe (trachea) connecting to the lungs cancer of the larynx: a malignant tu- mor found in the voice box (larynx) cancer of the lung: a malignant tumor found in the lungs cancer of the prostate: a malignant tumor found in the prostate gland cancer of the trachea: a malignant tumor found in the windpipe (trachea) adult Fibrosarcoma: a tumor formed from connective tissue alveolar soft part sarcoma: a sarcoma found in the aveoli, the sac-like ducts in the lungs angiosarcoma: a tumor occurring on the breast and skin and believed to originate from blood vessels chronic lymphocytic leukemia: char- acterized by a progressive increase in production of white blood cells clear cell sarcoma of aponeuroses: a sarcoma found at the end of a muscle where it becomes a tendon clear cell sarcoma of tendons: a sarcoma found in the tendons congenital Fibrosarcoma: a malignant tumor formed before birth and derived from connective tissue dermatofibrosarcoma: a relatively slow- growing skin tumor consisting of one or more firm nodules ectomesenchymoma: a tumor found in certain parts of the skin epithelioid Malignant leiomysarcoma: a malignant tumor derived from smooth muscle found in the layer covering the muscle epithelioid Malignant schwannoma: a moderately firm, benign tumor found in the layers of membrane covering surfaces inside the body cavity caused by too many Schwann cells growing in a disorderly manner epithelioid sarcoma: a tumor found in the membrane covering surfaces inside the body cavity extraskeletal ewing’s sarcoma: a tumor outside the bone consisting of small rounded cells

SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABIlITY COMPENSATION FOR EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE 4

hairy cell leukemia: a rare slow- growing chronic cancer of the blood called such because the leukemic lymphocytes have short, thin projec- tions on their surfaces that look

like hairs when examined under a microscope. Hairy cell leukemia is caused by an abnormal change in B lymphocytes (a type of white cell).

hemangiosarcoma: a tumor derived from blood vessels and lining blood- filled spaces

Infantile Fibrosarcoma: a tumor formed as a child derived from fibrous connective tissue

leiomyosarcoma: a tumor derived from smooth muscle

liposarcoma: a tumor that may occur anywhere in the body consisting of irregular fat cells

lymphangiosarcoma: a tumor derived from blood vessels

lymphoma: a malignant tumor of the lymph nodes

Malignant Fibrous histiocytoma: a type of tumor found in connective tissue

Malignant giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath: a tumor found in the membrane of tendons

Malignant glandular schwannoma:
a moderately firm malignant tumor
in the glands caused by too many Schwann cells growing in a disorderly pattern

Malignant glomus tumor: a tumor found in the tiny nodes (glomuli) in the the nailbed, pads of fingers, toes, ears, hands, feet, and other body organs

Malignant hemangiopericytoma: a tumor characterized by rapidly growing fat cells formed in blood vessels and lining blood-filled spaces

Malignant Mesenchymoma: a malig- nant tumor in the embryonic tissue or fluid

Malignant shwannoma with Rhabdo- myoblastic: a moderately firm malig- nant tumor found in skeletal muscle resulting from the rapid disorderly growth pattern of Schwann cells

Multiple Myeloma: cancer of specific bone marrow cells characterized by bone marrow tumors in the skeletal system

Proliferating angiedotheliomatosis: increasing numbers of benign tumors in blood cells often causing skin discoloration

Rhabdomysarcoma: tumors derived from skeletal muscle

Sarcoma: tumors arising in connec- tive tissue, bone, cartilage, or muscle
soft tissue sarcoma: a group of soft tissue cancers characterized by malignant tumors which develop on muscles and connective tissue, or in body fat

Synovial sarcoma: a tumor found in the lubricating fluid surrounding joints and tendons

* Diseases with various time requirements A current version of this guide can be
viewed online at www.vva.org.
Note: this list may change over time. For official updates, see title 38 Code of Federal Regulations Section 3.309(e) “Diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents.”

BIRTH Defects RecognIzed by the VA as connected to Agent Orange Exposure

Spina bifida: children born to either male or female Vietnam veterans;  Spina Bifida Occulta not included children born to Female Vietnam Veterans achondroplasia: produces a type of dwarfism cleft lip and cleft palate congenital heart disease congenital talipses equinovarus: clubfoot esophageal and Intestinal atresia hallerman-streiff syndrome: premature small growth and other related defects hip dysplasia hirschprung’s disease: congenital megacolon hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis hypospadias: abnormal opening in the urethra Imperforate anus neural tube defects Poland syndrome: webbed fingers Pyloric stenosis syndactyly: fused digits tracheoesophageal Fistula Undescended testicles Williams syndrome: thyroid defects Not covered are conditions that are congenital malignant neoplasms, chromosomal disorders, or developmental disorders. In addition, condi- tions that do not result in permanent physical or mental disability are not covered. Note: this list may change over time. Veterans may obtain more information on birth defects and should register all children and grandchildren with birth defects, including cancers and learning disabilities, online at www.birthdefects.org, main- tained by the National Birth Defect Registry.