Agent Orange Exam IMPORTANT! //Jan 2015 CORRECTION: C-123 VETS NOW ELIGIBLE

9 Jan 2015 Update: VA now invites C-123 veterans to arrange an Agent Orange Registry exam.

(edited out Agent Orange Registry restriction, now removed)

If you feel that you qualify for Agent Orange exposure through service 

on the C-123(aircrew, aerial port, aeromedical evacuation maintenance),

and for benefits for diseases associated with herbicide exposure for 

the veteran must establish a Direct Service Connection Claim for 

herbicide exposure related diseases.

The Veteran must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to 

herbicides during their service by showing: 

1. Credible evidence proving work on the C-123K
2. Medical diagnosis for disease associated with herbicide exposure.
3. Medical nexus connecting 1 and 2

If you have met these criteria’s, then file a Direct Service Claim with 

your local Regional Office. We need to stress the "military herbicide" 

issue rather than the more specific Agent Orange issue. Turns out the

C-123 was contaminated with a variety of agents and the law more 

broadly specifies "herbicides" - a big "thank you" to Professor Jeanne 

Stellman of Columbia University who, using very small words and lots 

of patient repetition, explained the fine points to me.

Please note:

·       This is not a Direct Claim for Agent Orange, it is for Herbicide only.

   Additional information can be obtained at the following VA link: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp

Below is a directory of VA Environmental Health Coordinators by state and U.S. territory. Veterans may contact their local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about registry evaluations or health concerns related to military exposures to herbicides such as Agent Orange - don't worry about the Thailand and Vietnam-era language as we are presenting our claims on the basis of exposure on the C-123K outside Vietnam...there is a category for us, even though the VA presently denies that we were exposed. Because your claim is based on the date of your filing for benefits, and because the Agent Orange Registry exam might uncover useful medical information, each of us needs to call and get a physical scheduled!

The directory below contains the latest information received from VA health care facilities and is updated as changes occur.

Note:  To send a secure e-mail, use VA's Ask a Question - IRIS"

Names and other info last updated: March 2012

Aircrew Chem Warfare Romance!

AL  |  AK  |  AZ  |  AR  |  CA  |  CO  |  CT  |  DE  |  DC  |  FL  |  GA  |  HI  |  ID
IL  |  IN  |  IA  |  KS  |  KY  |  LA  |  MA  |  ME  |  MD  |  MS  |  MI  |  MN  |  MO
MT  |  NE  |  NV  |  NH  |  NJ  |  NM  |  NY  |  NC  |  ND  |  OH  |  OK  |  OR
PA  |   RI  |  SC  |  SD  |  TN  |  TX  |  UT  |  VT  |  VA  |  WA  |  WV  |  WI  |  WY
Philippines | Puerto Rico

**Dr. Walters' change to the Agent Orange Registry Exam:
Mr. Carter

The information Mr. Legere received is correct. The registry exam is essentially a physical exam and is not part of the disability exam.  The Agent Orange registry is available for the following Veterans. 

Vietnam :
Veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, regardless of length of time.
Veterans who served aboard smaller river patrol and swift boats that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam (also known as “Brown Water Veterans”)
Korea :
Veterans who served in a unit in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971.
Thailand:
U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases near U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Amy Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned a military occupational specialty whose duty placed him or her at or near the base perimeter.
Other potential Agent Orange exposures:
Veterans who may have been exposed to herbicides during a military operation or as a result of testing, transporting, or spraying herbicides for military purposes. Learn about herbicide tests and storage outside Vietnam. Agent Orange or Dioxin dried on surfaces does not present a significant threat to human health. Veterans are eligible if they were in the presence of liquid Agent Orange such as when Agent Orange was sprayed, tested or transported.

Terry Walters


Terry Walters MD MPH
Deputy Chief Consultant Post-Deployment Health
Office of Public Health
Veteran Health Administration

From: Wes Carter  
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 9:42 AM
To: Walters, Terry
Subject: Fwd: C-123 Veterans Challenge VA Publication "Scientific Review of Agent Orange in C-123 Aircraft"

Dear Dr. Walters,
May I ask your assistance? I understood that, regardless of any disagreement concerning our veterans' exposure claims, any veteran believing himself/herself to have been exposed to Agent Orange may request an AO physical if exposure is claimed to have occurred. This gentleman was refused...what is the situation?

Thank you,

   Wes Carter, C-123 Veterans Association