C-123 Veterans Claims vs. VA Counter-Claims: Who is Ahead?

The Balance of Arguments

Veterans:

- "It is my opinion that (C-123) aircrews operating in this, and similar, environments were exposed to TCDD."

(Dr. Tom Sinks, Deputy Director, CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry)

- "It is my professional opinion that (veteran name withheld) (and likely, other aircrew veterans who flew these aircraft in the same time period) was exposed to harmful levels of dioxin." 

(Dr. Fred Berman, Oregon Health Sciences University Toxicology Department) 

- "(The C-123 is) heavily contaminated. A danger to public health."

(Dr. Ron Porter, toxicologist, USAF Armstrong Laboratories)

- "In my opinion, it is highly likely that you and other crew members were exposed to the herbicides and to their highly toxic contaminant, 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (dioxin, for short)" 

(Dr. Jeanne Stellman, Professor Emerita, Columbia University School of Public Health)

- In my professional judgment you are at increased risk for illness from the dioxin in Agent Orange because of your exposure to it from your (C-123) military service”

(Dr. Arnold Schecter, Professor, University of Texas School of Public Health)

VA:

- "No conclusive evidence that TCDD exposure causes any adverse health effects."

(VA Compensation Services in claim denial)

- "TCDD is the most toxic of the dioxins, and is classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency."

(VA Public Health Bulletin )

- “(C-123 veterans’) Claims are decided on an individual basis."

VA Public Health Bulletin (however: 100% of claims denied -  0% approved, but on an "individual" basis, of course!)

- C-123 vets are "Trash-haulers. Freeloaders looking for a tax-free dollar. I have no respect for them but do for combat vets."

(The DoD & USAF consultant on Agent Orange, his 2011 email re: C-123 vets; in 2010 he recommended “quiet, low-visibility” destruction of C-123 fleet to prevent veterans learning of C-123 contamination & crew exposure. Most C-123 veterans are combat veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm or both)