United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Vietnam Veterans

 

Compensation

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Vietnam Veterans

The Vietnam War was the United States' longest armed conflict, with U.S. involvement lasting from 1957 until 1975. Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam. During the war, over 58,000 U.S. military members lost their lives and 153,000 were wounded.

VA Benefits

Vietnam Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

VA Benefits for Vietnam Veterans

VA recognizes that health issues and disabilities may result from exposure to Agent Orange that may entitle a Veteran or their children to certain VA benefits.

Disability Compensation for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

Part of the United States' strategy in Vietnam was to conduct an herbicide program to remove foliage providing cover for the enemy. Agent Orange was the most widely used of the herbicide combinations sprayed. The herbicides used in Vietnam were tested or stored elsewhere, including some military bases in the United States. Following the Vietnam War, Veterans experienced many readjustment problems and adverse health effects, many of the latter attributed to exposure to Agent Orange. VA presumes that some disabilities diagnosed in certain Veterans were caused by exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

» Learn more about VA health care benefits for Veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the Veteran's Health Administration's Agent Orange page

» Learn more about VA compensation benefits for Veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the Disability Compensation Agent Orange page

Children of Veterans with Exposure to Agent Orange

Children of Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who have a birth defect including spina bifida, a congenital birth defect of the spine, and certain other birth defects may be entitled to VA benefits. These include monetary benefits, health care, and vocational rehabilitation services.

» Learn more about VA compensation benefits for children of Veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the Disability Compensation Birth Defects page

How to Apply

The specific VA benefit or program web page will provide tailored information about how to apply for a particular benefit or program. Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below.