More Inquiries About the Agent Orange Registry Exam for C-123 Vets – NOT ELIGIBLE!

We're NOT eligible! I keep getting inquiries, which I'm glad to answer but the answer hasn't changed about us taking, or being permitted to take, the VA Agent Orange Registry exam. An earlier decision by a Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit any veteran who claims to have been exposed has been overturned by VHA Public Health, Post Deployment Health. Their policy is that we are not permitted the exam. Please don't be misled by VA internet pages because VHA has made it clear and in writing (below.)

Several Agent Orange Registry sites have written us that any veteran may be examined, but they are apparently not aware of the reversal of the Secretary's policy by VHA Post-Deployment Health.

Last year several C-123 vets were refused by various VA medical centers, and I inquired of VA's Deputy Chief Consultant in Post-Deployment Health. She explained why we're now ineligible in an email to us:

Walters, Terry
5/6/13
to me
Mr. Carter:
The information Mr. XXXX 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 MD MPH
Deputy Chief Consultant Post-Deployment Health
Office of Public Health
Veteran Health Administration