Agent Orange Birth Defects
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/Herbicide/index.htm#bm03
Children of Male Vietnam Veterans
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/spina_bifida.asp
The only presumed birth defect available to the children of male Vietnam Veterans is Spina
Bifida (except Spina Bifida Occulta), a neural tube birth defect that results from the failure of the
bony portion of the spine to close properly in the developing fetus during early pregnancy.
Children of Female Vietnam Veterans
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/birth_defects.asp
VA presumes that certain birth defects in biological children of women Vietnam Veterans were
caused by military service when the birth mother served in Vietnam during the period beginning
February 28, 1961 and ending on May 7, 1975.
Birth defects are abnormalities present at birth that result in mental or physical disabilities.
VA recognizes a wide range of birth defects as associated with women Veterans' service in
Vietnam. These diseases are not tied to herbicides, including Agent Orange, or dioxin exposure,
but rather to the birth mother's service in Vietnam.
Covered birth defects include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
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Achondroplasia
Cleft lip and cleft palate
Congenital heart disease
Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot)
Esophageal and intestinal atresia
Hallerman-Streiff syndrome
Hip dysplasia
Hirschprung's disease (congenital megacolon)
Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis
Hypospadias
Imperforate anus
Neural tube defects
Poland syndrome
Pyloric stenosis
Spina Bifida
Syndactyly (fused digits)
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Undescended testicle
Williams syndrome
Conditions due to family disorders, birth-related injuries, or fetal or neonatal infirmities with
well-established causes are not covered. If any of the birth defects listed above are determined to
be a family disorder in a particular family, they are not covered birth defects.
Spina Bifida
Children who have spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta) and meet the following
requirements may be eligible for VA compensation, health care, and vocational training:
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Are biological children of Veterans who served:
 In Vietnam during the period from January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975, or
 In or near the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967 and August
31, 1971 and were exposed to herbicides. Veterans who served in a unit in or
near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and
August 31, 1971 are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.
Were conceived after the date on which the Veteran first entered Vietnam or the Korean
demilitarized zone during the qualifying service period
Spina Bifida Benefits and Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born
with Certain Birth Defects - Effective 12/1/09
There will be no COLA for 2010 so the rates are the same as last year.
Spina Bifida Benefit Rate Table
Level I | Level II | Level III
Effective 12-01-2008
Disability Level
Rate
Level I
$286
Level II
$984
Level III
$1,678
For information about our Spina Bifida Benefit CLICK HERE.
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth Defects (Sec. 401
of PL 106-419)
Effective 12-01-2008
Disability Level
Monthly Rate
Level I
$131
Level II
$286
Level III
$984
Level IV
$1,678