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Birth defects linked to Agent Orange

If you served in Vietnam or Thailand, or in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)—and your child has spina bifida or certain other birth defects—your child may be eligible for VA disability compensation and other benefits. Keep reading to find out if your child may be eligible.

Is my child eligible for benefits from VA?

For spina bifida

Spina bifida is a spinal cord birth defect. A baby develops spina bifida while still in the womb. In some cases, a parent’s past contact with specific chemicals causes this birth defect.

Your child may be eligible for disability benefits if they meet the requirements listed here.

One of these must be true:

  • The child’s biological mother or father served in the Republic of Vietnam or in Thailand for any length of time between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or
  • The child’s biological mother or father served in a unit in or near the DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971

And both of these must be true:

  • The child was diagnosed with a form of spina bifida other than spina bifida occulta, and
  • The child was conceived after the parent first entered the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, or the DMZ during the qualifying time periods listed above

Note: Your character of discharge and length of service don’t affect your child’s eligibility for disability benefits relating to spina bifida.

For other birth defects

Your child may be eligible for disability benefits if they have a covered birth defect that caused a permanent physical or mental disability (a disability that doesn’t go away) and they meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • The child’s biological mother served in Vietnam any time from January 9, 1962, through May 7, 1975, and
  • The child was conceived after the mother first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the time period listed above

Review the list of covered birth defects

What kind of benefits can my child get?

  • Health care
  • Compensation (payments)
  • Job training (called Veteran Readiness and Employment, or VR&E)

How do I file a claim for compensation for my child?

You can file a claim in one of these ways:

By mail

File your spina bifida claim by mail using an Application for Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (VA Form 21-0304).

Get VA Form 21-0304 to download

Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

In person

Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.

Find a VA regional office near you

By fax

If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818.

If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260.

With the help of a trained professional

You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation.

Get help filing your claim

If you have a power of attorney and need to update their information, you can call us at 800-827-1000. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

What evidence will I need to submit with the claim?

You’ll need to submit these documents:

  • A document showing the biological relationship between the child and the Veteran parent, and
  • Service records that prove the Veteran served in Vietnam or Thailand, or in or near the DMZ during the qualifying dates listed above, and
  • The child’s birth certificate, and
  • Medical records with the diagnosis of spina bifida or another covered birth defect