VA recognizes veterans' acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides during military service when:
- It appears within one year of exposure to Agent Orange to a degree of at least 10% disabling by VA’s rating regulations, and
- It is transient (temporary) and resolves within two weeks.
Learn more:
About Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nervous system, that is, of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Acute or subacute form of peripheral neuropathy refers to symptoms occurring within weeks after exposure. (In chronic cases, effects appear much later.) Transient refers to a temporary condition.
Signs and Symptoms
- Numbness, tingling or prickling in the toes or fingers in early stages. This may spread to the feet or hands and cause burning, throbbing or shooting pain that is worse at night.
- Pain equally in both sides of the body (both hands or both feet).
- Also can include muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, extreme sensitivity to touch.
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Research on Peripheral Neuropathy and Herbicides Used in Vietnam
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded in its 1996 Update on Veterans and Agent Orange – Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam that there is some evidence to suggest that neuropathy of acute or subacute onset may be associated with herbicide exposure. In the initial 1993 report on Veterans and Agent Orange, NAS did not find even limited evidence to suggest an association between peripheral neuropathy and herbicide exposure.
Chronic persistent peripheral neuropathy remains in the category of inadequate/insufficient evidence to determine an association with herbicide exposure.
Read NAS Institute of Medicine Reports on Veterans and Agent Orange.*†
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VA Benefits for Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
Veterans with acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy that appeared within one year of exposure to Agent Orange to a degree of at least 10% disabling by VA’s rating regulations and resolved within two weeks may be eligible for:
Chronic peripheral neuropathy is not presumed by VA to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
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Contact VA about Benefits
By Telephone
- Toll-free Helpline: 1-800-749-8387
- Health Care: 1-877-222-8387 (Ask to speak to the Environmental Health Coordinator or Patient Care Advocate)
- Disability Benefits and Other Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
- TDD (for hearing impaired): 1-800-829-4833
In Person
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More Information on Agent Orange
*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
†VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked Web site.
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