Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most well-established Agent Orange presumptive conditions under 38 CFR § 3.309(e). Veterans receive a 100% VA disability rating ($3,737.85/month) during active treatment. The PACT Act expanded coverage further. After treatment, peripheral neuropathy, organ damage, and secondary cancers may qualify as separately ratable residuals.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) refers to a large, diverse group of blood cancers that originate in lymphocytes (B-cells, T-cells, or NK cells). Unlike Hodgkin's lymphoma, NHL encompasses more than 60 different subtypes with varying presentations, treatments, and prognoses. Common subtypes include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, ICD-10 C83.3), follicular lymphoma (C82), mantle cell lymphoma (C83.1), marginal zone lymphoma (C88.4), and T-cell lymphomas (C84).
For VA purposes, the critical regulatory language in 38 CFR § 3.309(e) covers "non-Hodgkin's lymphoma" broadly — all subtypes qualify for the Agent Orange presumptive. The VA does not require a specific subtype. If your oncology records diagnose any form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, you qualify for the presumptive.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been recognized as an Agent Orange presumptive condition under 38 CFR § 3.309(e) since 1994, making it one of the earliest-established herbicide-related cancers in VA law. This reflects decades of epidemiological research linking dioxin (the toxic component of Agent Orange) to lymphomagenesis.
Qualifying herbicide exposure locations include:
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 significantly expanded presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits, airborne hazards, and other toxins. While NHL was already covered under AO, the PACT Act adds additional exposure pathways:
Read our full guide on PACT Act presumptive conditions to determine if you have additional exposure claims.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rated under 38 CFR § 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7715 (lymphomas). Like all malignant neoplasms, NHL is rated at 100% while active or undergoing treatment, then re-evaluated based on residuals after treatment concludes.
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Get Free Claim Help →| Status | Rating | Criteria | Monthly Pay 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active / In Treatment | 100% | Active NHL under treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, CAR-T, stem cell transplant) | $3,737.85 |
| Post-Treatment (6 months minimum) | Varies | 100% continued for at least 6 months post-treatment; then re-evaluated based on residuals | Depends on residuals |
| In Remission — No Residuals | 0% | Complete remission with no disabling residuals — maintains service connection | $0 (but service connected) |
| Recurrent NHL | 100% | Any recurrence restores 100% rating + 6-month post-treatment period | $3,737.85 |
Critically, even a 0% rating for NHL in remission is valuable — it establishes service connection that protects your right to benefits if the lymphoma recurs or if new residuals develop. Never let a 0% NHL rating go uncontested if you have symptoms — it should be at minimum 0% with service connection established.
NHL treatment — particularly chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation — frequently causes permanent residual conditions that each qualify for separate VA disability ratings under 38 CFR § 3.310 (secondary service connection). File for all of the following residuals at the same time as your primary NHL claim:
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common and disabling residuals of NHL treatment. Drugs like vincristine, used in CHOP and R-CHOP regimens, cause permanent sensory and motor nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy is rated under DC 8520 (sciatic nerve), DC 8621 (common peroneal nerve), or other peripheral nerve diagnostic codes based on the location and severity of nerve involvement — rated separately for each affected extremity.
Post-treatment fatigue is rated under analogous codes based on the functional impairment it causes. Anemia from bone marrow suppression during chemotherapy may be rated under DC 7700 based on severity.
Certain chemotherapy agents (alkylating agents) and radiation increase the risk of secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute leukemia, or treatment-related second malignancies. If a secondary cancer develops that is directly attributable to treatment for service-connected NHL, it may itself be ratable as secondary under 38 CFR § 3.310.
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment (PCCI), colloquially known as "chemo brain," affects memory, concentration, and processing speed. If your treating oncologist documents this as a consequence of chemotherapy, it can be rated as secondary to service-connected NHL.
Anthracycline-based chemotherapy (doxorubicin, used in R-CHOP) is cardiotoxic and can cause cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction. Cardiac toxicity secondary to NHL treatment may be separately ratable under DC 7005 (IHD equivalent) based on ejection fraction.
For AO-exposed Vietnam veterans: No nexus letter needed for the primary NHL diagnosis. The 38 CFR § 3.309(e) presumptive applies automatically.
For PACT Act burn pit veterans: Confirm qualifying service location and dates. A nexus letter may still strengthen the claim if your NHL subtype is not explicitly listed.
For residual conditions: A brief oncology or neurology note documenting that neuropathy, cardiac toxicity, or cognitive impairment results from NHL treatment provides the secondary nexus — typically accepted without a formal nexus letter given the well-established medical causation.
Hodgkin's lymphoma (ICD-10 C81) is a separate condition from NHL and is NOT currently listed as an Agent Orange presumptive. If your pathology report says "Hodgkin's lymphoma" and the VA denies on AO presumptive grounds, this is technically correct. However, you can still establish service connection for Hodgkin's lymphoma through a nexus letter if there is evidence of in-service toxic exposure causation.
The VA sometimes denies for "no current disability" when NHL is in complete remission. However, service connection for cancer is established when: (1) you had the diagnosis and (2) you have the presumptive exposure. The 0% rating in remission maintains service connection and entitles you to rating increases when the cancer recurs or residuals are documented.
If the VA denies neuropathy or cardiac toxicity as unrelated to NHL, obtain a brief oncology note documenting the causal connection between the chemotherapy regimen and the residual condition. Submit this as a supplemental claim under 20 CFR § 19.5 (supplemental claim based on new and relevant evidence).
Review the 2026 VA disability pay rates to understand the monthly value of each rating percentage you're entitled to claim.
Peripheral neuropathy, cardiac toxicity, and cognitive impairment from NHL treatment are all separately ratable. Get a free claim review to ensure you're not leaving money on the table.
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