In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness do not have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service.  This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.                                                              The three new illnesses – B-cell (or hairy-cell) leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease – are added to the list of presumed illnesses previously recognized by VA.                                                                Other recognized illnesses under VA’s “presumption” rule for Agent Orange are: Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy Chloracne Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) Hodgkin’s Disease Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)AL Amyloidosis                                  Veterans interested in applying for disability compensation under one of the three new Agent Orange presumptives should call 1-800-827-1000.

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