Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: VA Presumptive Condition (Agent Orange)
VeteranHQ lists Porphyria Cutanea Tarda as a presumptive condition in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group. The exposure it is tied to is: Herbicide Agent (Agent Orange/TCDD) — direct hepatic and heme biosynthesis disruption by dioxin. The presumption is effective July 27, 1994. It is governed by 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; Agent Orange Act of 1991.
A presumption removes one requirement and one only: the veteran does not have to prove a medical link between the condition and service. Everything else still applies. There must be a current diagnosis, the service has to meet the requirements below, and VA decides the claim on the evidence in the record.
What qualifies: Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
- Service era
- Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975); Korean DMZ; Thailand
- Service location
- Republic of Vietnam, Thailand (specified bases), Korean DMZ, Johnston Island
- Exposure
- Herbicide Agent (Agent Orange/TCDD) — direct hepatic and heme biosynthesis disruption by dioxin
- Effective date
- July 27, 1994
- Filing deadline
- Must manifest to 10% within one year of last exposure date
- Diagnostic code
- 7820
Service required for this presumption
Service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or other qualifying herbicide exposure locations. Condition must have manifested to a degree of 10% or more within one year of the last exposure date.
About this presumption
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) is the most common porphyria and a well-established presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange/TCDD under 38 CFR § 3.309(e). TCDD acts as a potent inhibitor of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD), the enzyme responsible for the fifth step of heme biosynthesis. Inhibition of UROD leads to the accumulation of uroporphyrins in the liver and skin, causing the hallmark clinical features: blistering photosensitivity on sun-exposed skin (dorsum of hands, forearms, face), skin fragility, hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, and sclerodermoid changes. PCT has a strict one-year manifestation requirement under 38 CFR § 3.309(e) — the condition must have manifested to at least 10% disabling within one year of the veteran's last exposure. Rated under DC 7820 (Porphyria cutanea tarda) in the VASRD skin disease schedule (38 CFR Part 4, § 4.118).
Evidence still needed
A presumption does not remove the evidence requirement. VA still needs a current diagnosis from a medical provider and service records that show the qualifying service above. What it removes is the medical opinion connecting the two.
Service records confirming service in Republic of Vietnam or other qualifying covered location; dermatologist or hepatologist diagnosis of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; 24-hour urine porphyrin profile showing elevated uroporphyrins and 7-carboxylporphyrins (diagnostic); plasma porphyrin fluorescence emission scan; liver function tests (LFTs); evidence that skin manifestations appeared within one year of last qualifying service if claiming under the one-year manifestation rule; liver biopsy if hepatic involvement documented.
Controlling legal authority
38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; Agent Orange Act of 1991
Related on VeteranHQ
Questions About Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Porphyria Cutanea Tarda a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Porphyria Cutanea Tarda as presumptive in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group, effective July 27, 1994, under 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; Agent Orange Act of 1991. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
What service qualifies for the Porphyria Cutanea Tarda presumption?
Service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or other qualifying herbicide exposure locations. Condition must have manifested to a degree of 10% or more within one year of the last exposure date. Service era: Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975); Korean DMZ; Thailand. Service location: Republic of Vietnam, Thailand (specified bases), Korean DMZ, Johnston Island.
What evidence is still needed for a Porphyria Cutanea Tarda claim?
Service records confirming service in Republic of Vietnam or other qualifying covered location; dermatologist or hepatologist diagnosis of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; 24-hour urine porphyrin profile showing elevated uroporphyrins and 7-carboxylporphyrins (diagnostic); plasma porphyrin fluorescence emission scan; liver function tests (LFTs); evidence that skin manifestations appeared within one year of last qualifying service if claiming under the one-year manifestation rule; liver biopsy if hepatic involvement documented. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
Is there a filing deadline for Porphyria Cutanea Tarda?
Must manifest to 10% within one year of last exposure date
VeteranHQ publishes VA rules and the citations behind them. It does not prepare, file, or represent claims, and nothing here is legal advice or a prediction of what VA will decide.