For direct online access to VA benefits and resources, create an account here.

If you’re a military veteran who served in South Vietnam or South Korea, and your child was born with birth defects caused by contact with certain chemicals, they (qualified dependents and survivors) may be eligible to receive benefits — like health care, compensation (payments) and even job training.

Spina Bifida

This is a spinal cord birth defect that starts while a baby is still in its mother’s womb. If your child was diagnosed with a form of this condition that’s not spina occulta, and either you or your spouse served in South Vietnam any time from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975 or specific units in the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) from April 1, 1968 to August 31, 1971, they may be eligible.

Other Birth Defects

If your child suffers from a birth defect that has caused a permanent disability that’s either physical or mental, and their mother served in South Vietnam any time from January 9, 1962 to May 1975, they may be eligible for any or all of the aforementioned benefits.

To apply, you can do so here.

Once the claim is filed, you can track or check the status of it by clicking here.

For more on contact with hazardous materials, and the benefits that may come along with it, click here.