If you would like more information or would like to file a claim for VA compensation and/or health care benefits, contact VetsFirst or online at htpp://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/

Did You
Serve In The
U.S. Military?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses have been associated with military service. Please check the lists of illnesses and health concerns that have been identified with service during the wars listed in this brochure. If you served during one or more of these periods of war and have any of the highlighted diseases, you may be eligible for compensation, benefits and health care.
VIETNAM WAR
Feb 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 		Persian Gulf War
August 2, 1990-Date to be determined, includes Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Red checkmarkPTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance.
Red checkmarkExposure to Agent Orange (dioxin) and other toxic chemical herbicides: AL amyloidosis; acute and sub-acute peripheral neuropathy; adult onset Type II Diabetes mellitus (and subsequent complications); Chloracne; Hairy cell leukemia; Hodgkins disease; Ischemic (or ischaemic) heart disease; Parkinson’s disease; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; non-Hodgkins lymphoma; cancers of the bronchus, larynx, lung, prostate, and trachea; soft tissue sarcomas other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and mesothelioma; chloracne or other acne-like similar diseases and poryphyria cutanea tarda if manifested within a year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to the herbicidal agent during active military service.
Red checkmarkBirth defects: spina bifida in children born to either male or female Vietnam veterans.
Red checkmark Birth defects in children born to female Vietnam veterans: achondroplasia; cleft lip and cleft palate; congenital heart disease; congenital clubfoot; esophageal and intestinal atresia; Hallerman-Streiff syndrome; hip dysplasia; Hirschprung’s disease; hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis; hypospadias; imperforate anus; neural tube defects; Poland syndrome; pyloric stenosis; syndactyly; tracheoesophageal fistula; undescended testicles; and Williams syndrome.
Red checkmarkHepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS
Red checkmarkSubstance abuse
Red checkmarkMilitary Sexual Trauma		 Red checkmarkPTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance.
Red checkmarkGulf War Illness: medically unexplained chronic, multi-symptom illnesses defined by a cluster of symptoms that have existed for six months or more, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome; may also include headaches, muscle pain, skin disorders, neurological symptoms, weight loss, and menstrual disorders.
Red checkmark Leishmaniasis: a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies.
Red checkmark Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease; a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease.
Red checkmark Exposure to chemical smoke, chemical and biological agents, and depleted uranium
Red checkmark Immunizations
Red checkmark Substance abuse
Red checkmark Military sexual trauma
 
Global War on Terror
September 11, 2001-Date to be Determined, Includes Operations Iragi Freedom And Enduring Freedom		  

Red checkmarkPTSD(Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and related mental health disorders caused by PTSD: symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing, and hyper-vigilance.
Red checkmarkTBI traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries; combined penetrating, blunt trauma, burn and blast injuries.
Red checkmarkMulti-drug resistant Acinetobacter: an opportunistic strain of bacteria that can become deadly if untreated.
Red checkmark Leishmaniasis: a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies.
Red checkmarkVision loss o Hearing loss, tinnitus
Red checkmarkTraumatic amputation
Red checkmarkExposure to depleted uranium
Red checkmarkSubstance abuse
Red checkmarkMilitary sexual trauma
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation
To be eligible for DIC benefits, a surviving family member must show the following:
Red checkmarkThe family member meets one of the following criteria: you were married to the veteran at the time of death and you had lived with the veteran from the date you were married until the veteran’s death, unless separation occurred because of the veteran’s misconduct without fault on your part; you are not currently married, remarried after age 57; or you are not currently living with another person and claiming to be the spouse of that person. There may be different rules that apply if you either were married to the veteran for less than one year or were in a common-law relationship with the veteran;
Red checkmark you are a son or daughter of the veteran under the age of 18, unmarried, and there is no eligible surviving spouse;
Red checkmark you are a son or daughter of the veteran, 18 years old or older, and before you reached the age of 18, you became disabled and permanently unable to support yourself;
Red checkmark you are the son or daughter of the veteran, unmarried, between the ages of 18 and 23, and currently attend a VA-approved school; and
Red checkmark you are the surviving parent or parents of a deceased veteran. The term "parent" includes a biological, adoptive, or foster parent. A foster parent is a person who legally stood in the relationship of a parent to the veteran for at least one year before the veteran’s last entry into active duty.
Red checkmark Eligibility for dependent parents’ DIC is need-based. When countable income exceeds the limit set by law, no benefit is payable. Income limits are adjusted annually.
NOTE: In some cases, Dependency & Indemnity Compensation, education benefits, and CHAMPVA medical care may be available for the surviving spouses and children of certain veterans.