Aug 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 (combat zone); 1961-1975 (full era)
Vietnam-era veterans — including in-country, blue-water Navy, Korea DMZ, and Thailand-based servicemembers — qualify for Agent Orange presumptive benefits, including the 2024 hypertension expansion.
Era dates
Aug 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 (combat zone); 1961-1975 (full era)
Cohort size
~6.4 million U.S. veterans (Vietnam era); ~2.6 million served in-country
Healthcare
No free-care window; eligibility based on service-connected status + income (Priority Group 1-8).
Operations + qualifying service
Vietnam War
Operation Rolling Thunder
Tet Offensive operations
Era-specific presumptive conditions
Agent Orange exposure (18+ presumptive conditions): hypertension, ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, all major cancers, Parkinson's, MGUS, AL amyloidosis, peripheral neuropathy
Camp Lejeune water contamination (if served Aug 1953 – Dec 1987)
PTSD (well-recognized for combat veterans of this era)
GI Bill / education benefits
Vietnam-era GI Bill (Chapter 30 / Montgomery GI Bill predecessor). Many Vietnam veterans transferred benefits to dependents under DEA Chapter 35.
In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Available regardless of era, character of service, or VA enrollment status.