VA recognizes and offers support for the children of
qualifying veterans affected by Agent Orange who have certain
birth defects.
The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
has opined that, “there is inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine
whether there is an association between parental exposure to the [chemicals of
interest such as Agent Orange and other herbicides] and birth defects,
childhood cancers, or disease in their children as they mature or in later
generations.” [Veterans and Agent Orange:
Update 2014]
Nevertheless, VA has recognized that certain birth
defects among veterans’ children are associated with veterans’ qualifying
service that presumes exposures to Agent Orange or other herbicides.
- Spina
bifida (except spina bifida occulta), a defect in the developing fetus
that results in incomplete closing of the spine, is associated with
veterans’ exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.
- Birth
defects in children of women Veterans are associated with their
wartime military service in Vietnam but are not associated with herbicide
exposure.
MORE INFORMATION:
- VA: Benefits
for Veterans’ Children with Birth Defects
- Vietnam
Veterans of America (VVA): Has Your Child or Grandchild’s Health Been Affected by
Your Military Service?
VA does not currently recognize or offers support for the
children of veterans affected by Gulf War exposures who have
birth defects.
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