MPNnow.com —

Vietnam veteran Mark Adams doesn’t know if he was exposed to Agent Orange, the chemical that was dumped by the U.S. military in vast quantities over former South Vietnam during the war.

The chemical, which was used in an effort to destroy crops and jungle cover shielding communist guerrilla fighters, has been linked to a number of disabilities and diseases among Vietnam veterans.

Those vets will have an easier path to accessing health care and qualifying for disability compensation under a recent regulation that takes effect in November.

The new rule in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs expands the list of health problems the VA will presume are related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures — specifically, adding Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease and B-cell leukemias.

Adams, a recently retired egg farmer who is launching a new business, said because of his service on the front lines as a cavalry platoon leader, he wouldn’t be surprised if he was exposed to the chemical. He applauds the expanded benefits.

“I think there are ramifications from the effect of Agent Orange and it is way beyond what they ever thought,” said Adams, whose troop commander during the war was Eric K. Shinseki, who is now secretary of veterans affairs.

Shinseki said based on requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 and the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 Update on Agent Orange, he determined there was sufficient evidence to add the three additional diseases for the Agent Orange benefit. “It was the right decision, and (President Obama) and I are proud to finally provide this group of veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved,” he said.

Bradley Mayes, director of Boston VA regional office and former director of VA Compensation and Pension Service, said Monday some 150,000 veterans are expected to submit claims within the coming months due to the expanded benefit.

The cost is expected to be at least $39.7 billion in benefits and health care due to the new rules over next decade, according to federal estimates.

After a 60-day congressional review period, VA can begin paying benefits for new claims and may award benefits retroactively for earlier periods. VA encourages Vietnam veterans with the three diseases to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation now so the agency can begin development of their claims.