Potential Veterans Affected by the Agent Orange Act of 2009
Total Vietnam Era Veterans receiving DVA compensation – 2008 1,015,4101
Not all of these Vietnam War Veterans are receiving compensation from the effects of Agent Orange
Vietnam Era Veterans receiving compensation from Agent Orange 7,5202
Percentage of Vietnam War Veterans receiving compensation for AO exposure 7.6%
Percentage of Vietnam War Veterans receiving 10% disability ($123.00 per month) 27.0%
Percentage of Vietnam War Veterans receiving 100% disability ($2,673.00 per month) 8.0%
DVA has reported that based on DOD records at the end of the War.
Total Veterans deployed to Southeast Asia ALL RECEIVED VSM / AFEM 3,403,100
Total “in-country” Vietnam War Veterans (boots on the ground) 2,594,000
Total “off-shore” Vietnam War Veterans (Blue Water Navy) 514,300
Total “T.L.C.” Vietnam War Veterans (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) 294,800
Current estimate of “In-Country” Vietnam War Veterans still living (less than) 850,000
Current estimate of Vietnam Veteran that died between 2000 and 2007 490,135
The projected estimates of the “off-shore” and “TLC” Vietnam War Veterans still living was
calculated at the same percentage ratio as the “in-country” Veterans. 32.8%
Potential number of “off-shore” Vietnam War Veterans still living 168,525
Potential number of “T.L.C.” Vietnam War Veterans still living 96,600
Potential number of Vietnam Era Veterans still alive that may be eligible to file Agent Orange
Claims once The Agent Orange Equity of 2009 (HR2254 / S1939) is enacted, and only if
diagnosed with a presumptive disease. Not all will have been or will be diagnosed with a
presumptive disease and not all eligible Veterans will file a claim. 265,125
Sources:
1 DVA’s Publication “America’s Wars – 2008”
2 Agent Orange: Statistical Update, March 2000, VA Office of Public Affairs
3 “Agent Orange: Statistical Update,” March 2000, VA Office of Public Affairs, Media Relations Office (80-F)
4 Presentation to the Veterans Disability Compensation Commission, September 14, 2006 By Adm. Dunne
5 Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal-Vietnam–Must have served in the Vietnam War Combat Zone.
6 Department of Defense estimate
7 Pentagram, June 4, 1993
8 VFW Magazine, January 2003
9 DOD number of total deployed to Southeast Asia, minus “in-country” and “off-shore”
10 Vietnam Veterans of America Association
11 Chicago Tribune based on Statistics supplied by DVA
Research Provided by Members of
the Veterans Association of Sailors of
the Vietnam War and Blue Water
Navy Vietnam Veterans Association
Statistics are valid as of 12/16/2009
When I came back the country was in a really sorry state. Virtually everyone from my generation that didn't go into the military, was against the military. Fortunately my basic antisocial attitude meant that I really didn't give a sh@t. But a lot of other people did. And I have buried too many friends from the effects of alcohol and drugs.
I don't know the percentage, but a lot of them are gone.
There are “VIETNAM ERA VETERANS”, total 9.2 million.
There are “VIETNAM VETERANS” who served “IN COUNTRY”, total 2.590.000 million.
The mortality number for VIETNAM VETERANS WHO SERVED IN COUNTRY, is fairly accurate according to The Dept of Veterans Affairs statistics.
Disabled, Agent Orange victim since 2003, age 70.
Of the Vietnam vets I’ve known most are still alive. I’ll grant you though they do seem to have a higher than expected mortality rate.