Soft Tissue Sarcoma: VA Presumptive Condition (Agent Orange)
VeteranHQ lists Soft Tissue Sarcoma as a presumptive condition in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group. The exposure it is tied to is: Herbicide Agent (Agent Orange/TCDD). The presumption is effective July 27, 1994. It is governed by 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; 38 CFR § 3.309(e)(2).
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: Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- 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)
- Effective date
- July 27, 1994
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
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. Covers all soft tissue sarcomas EXCEPT osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi sarcoma, or mesothelioma.
About this presumption
Soft tissue sarcomas — including angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma), synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and others — are presumptively service-connected. The specific exclusions under 38 CFR are: osteosarcoma (bone sarcoma), chondrosarcoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and mesothelioma. All other soft tissue sarcomas are covered. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) may qualify depending on location and histology.
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; pathology/biopsy report with specific sarcoma type and primary site; MRI/CT imaging of primary tumor; surgical resection report with margins; must confirm it is NOT one of the excluded sarcoma types.
Controlling legal authority
38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; 38 CFR § 3.309(e)(2)
Related on VeteranHQ
Questions About Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Soft Tissue Sarcoma a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Soft Tissue Sarcoma as presumptive in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group, effective July 27, 1994, under 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; 38 CFR § 3.309(e)(2). 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 Soft Tissue Sarcoma presumption?
Service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or other qualifying herbicide exposure locations. Covers all soft tissue sarcomas EXCEPT osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi sarcoma, or mesothelioma. 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 Soft Tissue Sarcoma claim?
Service records; pathology/biopsy report with specific sarcoma type and primary site; MRI/CT imaging of primary tumor; surgical resection report with margins; must confirm it is NOT one of the excluded sarcoma types. 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 Soft Tissue Sarcoma?
No statutory deadline
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.