USAF SURGEON GENERAL STAFF CONFIRM POST-VIETNAM C-123 AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURES "WITHIN THE EXPOSURES EXPERIENCED BY RANCH HAND PERSONNEL...IN VIETNAM"

Buried deep within a highly redacted Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the C-123 Veterans Association was a revealing admission from the Air Force Surgeon General: our aircrew and maintainers DID experience Agent Orange exposures, and the exposures were within the range experienced by Operation Ranch Hand veterans from the Vietnam War. 

The source was a memo dated April 23, 2012:

Bad enough but that was made worse by the decision not to inform the C-123 veterans of their potentially dangerous exposures from our 1972-1986 duties aboard the airplanes. Such a"heads-up" might have saved lives by alerting our vets to watch for health problems on the VA's list of Agent Orange illnesses.

This USAF Surgeon General's report dismissing veterans' concerns was created about six months after the CDC informed the VA and USAF that C-123 crews had been dangerously exposed, with a 200-fold greater risk of cancers. The USAF Surgeon General's office avoided comment on the CDC report, and did not respond to CDC when asked for further input and consultation.

This whole sad fiasco was a lost opportunity. It came during the years that Dr. Terry Walters (in Veterans Health Administration Public Health Post-Deployment Health) confirmed that she had specifically forbidden C-123 veterans from taking VA's Agent Orange Registry medical exam.

She and her colleagues were at this time redefining their unique and unscientific (according to other Federal health agencies) concept of exposure to prevent veterans' exposure claims. They presented it at the Society of Toxicology conference in September 2012.

This was nearly three years before the VA finally acknowledged C-123 veterans' Agent Orange exposures, five months after the Institute of Medicine's C-123 Agent Orange Report confirmed the exposures.

So many mistakes and even deceptions over this five-year struggle!

April – Month of the Military Child

That was my grandfather, my dad, me and my siblings, and my own kids. All military brats. AKA "ankle biters." Dependents. The kids.

There was a price paid, and we all know it, but that's what Dad (or Mom) was called to do. 
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military bratNoun | \ ‘military brat’
1 a: CHILD; specifically: a child serving our country with strength, dignity an love as his or her parent(s) fight for our nation’s security domestically and abroad.

Post-Vietnam C-123 Vets' Kids NOT Eligible For Spina Bifida Care

(In its Monday April 2016 posting in the Federal Register, VA detailed how the laws covering Vietnam veterans' kids do not apply to post-Vietnam C-123 veterans' children. This was not unexpected as it had been explained to us earlier.)

Chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, provides for benefits for certain birth children of Vietnam veterans and veterans of covered service in Korea who have been diagnosed with spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta, and certain other birth defects. These benefits include: (1) Monthly monetary allowances for various disability levels; (2) health care; and (3) vocational training and rehabilitation. VA's regulations concerning health care for children authorized under this chapter are published at 38 CFR 17.900 through 17.905.

On May 15, 2015, VA published a proposed rule to more clearly define the types of healthcare VA provides, including day healthcare and health-related services, which VA would define as homemaker or home health aide services that provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that have therapeutic value; and to make changes to the list of health care services that require preauthorization by VA. (80 FR 27878). The comment period closed on June 14, 2015. We received ten comments, which were all generally supportive. However, the commenters raised several issues regarding beneficiaries covered by this rulemaking, specific services provided, definitions included in the proposed rule, and provision of health care through non-VA care (care in the community). We respond to these comments below and adopt as final the proposed rule, without change.

Scope of the RulemakingBack to Top

One commenter stated that children of Vietnam veterans who have spina bifida may have children of their own, and VA should also provide care to grandchildren of Vietnam veterans who have spina bifida. The commenter stated that according to the US National Library of Medicine, spina bifida is likely caused by the interaction of multiple genetic and environmental factors, and that genetic changes in individuals with spina bifida may increase the risk of neural tube defects in the subsequent generation. The commenter stated that if a child with spina bifida can establish that the grandfather was exposed to herbicides during the Vietnam War, that child should also be covered.

Another commenter stated that children of Air Force active duty servicemembers and reservists who were exposed to Agent Orange while flying C-123 aircraft both during the Vietnam War and the post-war period should also be covered. The commenter noted that these servicemembers flew out of air bases in Thailand and Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands, and some of the airplanes potentially contaminated by Agent Orange remained in service after the war.

In response to the first comment, VA does not have statutory authority to provide health care to grandchildren of Vietnam veterans who may have spina bifida. VA's authority to provide health care to children with spina bifida or other covered birth defects is limited by statute. A “child” covered under this statute is defined at 38 U.S.C. 1831(1) as an individual, regardless of age or marital status, who is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran, and was conceived after the date on which that veteran first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era; or, is the natural child of a veteran of covered service in Korea (as determined for purposes of 38 U.S.C. 1821), and was conceived after the date on which that veteran first entered service described in 38 U.S.C. 1821(c).

VA Claims & Appeals – as slow as ever?

Three years ago, this eBenefits report on my Agent Orange claim showed exactly what it does today. Unchanging. Or, if there is change, only at a glacial pace. 

Six years since the initial claim and counting...a long wait with cancers, IHD and more. A long wait for medical attention the VA won't provide until the claim is resolved.

I've talked to the VBA folks working on this. They work hard, and try their best. But hard work and staffers doing their best just doesn't seem to meet veterans' needs.

VA should contract this initial claim assessment work out to a qualified contractor (maybe a company made up of retired VBA staffers?) and use the VBA experts to review each claim for approval.

From today's eBenefits report on my appeal:

The C-123 Benefits Struggle – Five Years On

Five years ago, after hearing of my cancer diagnosis, I phoned Paul Bailey and learned of his similar report. That's when our struggle with the VA really began, as we tried to find out why so many of us were ill. Paul lived to see VA approve his own Agent Orange claim, but died before the fuller victory of VA giving us presumptive service connection...the final victory.

Today I searched "C-123" on the VA web site, and what a miracle from VA's total brick wall of denial that we first faced. Today, the entire first page and most of the second were all about us. Listing after listing show the five years of research by us veterans, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, and the VA itself have turned VA's brick wall of denials into a deeper and more honest explanation: our aircraft were toxic and we were exposed and harmed.

Check out these as resources to better understand this vital issue.

Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange through Duty on Contaminated C-123 Aircraft - Compensation

www.benefits.va.gov/​compensation/​agentorange-c123.asp

C-123 Aircraft In response to the Institute of Medicine s report on Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft

View results from Veterans Benefits or related Benefits sites

VA begins awarding compensation for C-123 Agent Orange claims

www.blogs.va.gov/​vantage/​21889/​va-begins-awarding-compensation-for-c-123-agent-orange-claims

by calling 1-800-827-1000. If your situation is dire, don t wait! Tags: agent orange compensation C-123 c123 VA C-123 Agent Orange claim Post

View results from Blog or related National Program sites

VA begins awarding compensation for C-123 Agent Orange claims

www.blogs.va.gov/​vantage/​21889/​va-begins-awarding-compensation-for-c-123-agent-orange-claims/​?

by calling 1-800-827-1000. If your situation is dire, don t wait! Tags: agent orange compensation C-123 c123 VA C-123 Agent Orange claim Post

View results from Blog or related National Program sites

VA expands disability benefits for Air Force personnel exposed to contaminated C-123 aircraft

www.blogs.va.gov...xposed-to-contaminated-c-123-aircraft

C-123 aircraft VA expands disability benefits for Air Force personnel exposed to contaminated C-123 aircraft Media Relations 13 Posted on Thursday,

View results from Blog or related National Program sites

C-123 Airplanes and Agent Orange Residue - Public Health

www.publichealth.va.gov/​exposures/​agentorange/​locations/​residue-c123-aircraft

C-123 Airplanes and Agent Orange Residue Public Health C-123 Airplanes and Agent Orange Residue Fairchild C-123K Provider U.S. Air Force Some

View results from PUBLICHEALTH or related Health Program sites

News Releases - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

www.va.gov/​opa/​pressrel/​pressrelease.cfm?id=2714

to herbicide exposure on C-123s may call VA s special C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m. 9 p.m. EST) or e-mail VSCC123.VAVBASPL

View results from Public Affairs or related National Program sites

Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange - Compensation

www.benefits.va.gov/​compensation/​claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp

through 1986 and regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served onboard C-123 aircraft (known to have been used to spray an herbicide

View results from Veterans Benefits or related Benefits sites

Home - eBenefits

www.ebenefits.va.gov/​ebenefits/​homepage

to manage your health Benefits News C-123 Agent Orange Claims Airmen who were exposed to agent orange while serving on contaminated C-123aircraft

View results from eBenefits or related Benefits sites

Fact Sheets - Veterans Benefits Administration

www.benefits.va.gov/​benefits/​factsheets.asp

Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grants Download Posted 02/2015 C-123 Aircraft and Agent Orange Exposure Download Posted 6/2015 Disability

View results from Veterans Benefits or related Benefits sites

Exposure to Agent Orange by Location - Public Health

www.publichealth.va.gov/​exposures/​agentorange/​locations

on land in Vietnam or on a ship operating on the inland waterways of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 C-123 Airplanes and Agent

View results from PUBLICHEALTH or related Health Program sites

Institute of Medicine Reports on Agent Orange - Public Health

www.publichealth.va.gov/​exposures/​agentorange/​publications/​institute-of-medicine.asp

and herbicide use. Recent reports IOM released Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft on Jan. 9, 2015. VA has

View results from PUBLICHEALTH or related Health Program sites

VA Expands Disability Benefits - VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network

www.visn6.va.gov/​features/​va_expands_disability_benefits.asp

with specific benefit questions related to herbicide exposure on C-123s may call VA s special C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m.

View results from VISN6 or related VA Hospital sites

Phone Directory - VA Connecticut Healthcare System

www.connecticut.va.gov/​contact/​phone_directory.asp

932-5711 Ext. 4318 Business Compliance Office 950 Campbell Avenue RoomC-123, Bldg 5 West Haven, CT 06516 203-932-5711 Ext. 5888 C CAT Scan (West

View results from CONNECTICUT or related VA Hospital sites

Agent Orange - VAMC Manchester, New Hampshire

www.manchester.va.gov/​services/​agent_orange.asp

were tested and stored outside of Vietnam. Veterans who were crew members on C-123 planes flown after the Vietnam War. Veterans associated with

View results from MANCHESTER or related VA Hospital sites

[PDF] www.va.gov/​opa/​pressrel/​includes/​viewpdf.cfm?id=2714

www.va.gov/​opa/​pressrel/​includes/​viewpdf.cfm?id=2714

WI 53547-5088 Individuals with specific benefit questions related to herbicide exposure on C-123s may call VA s special C-123 Hotline at 1-

View results from Public Affairs or related National Program sites

AF destroys toxic C-123 fleet to keep veterans from learning they'd been exposed!

Summary:

The latest C-123 Veterans Association YouTube video addresses the secret destruction of the Davis-Monthan AFB "boneyard" C-123 fleet. Revealed are documents showing partial justification was specifically to prevent veterans from learning they'd already been exposed...and to keep them from being able to turn to the VA for Agent Orange benefits.

Background:

The USAF faced the necessity of destroying the remaining C-123 aircraft stored at Davis-Monthan AFB's "boneyard" due to their Agent Orange contamination. Sales and parting out were not possible and a potential $3.4 billion EPA fine was in view. DOD Agent Orange Consultant's recommended destruction of the airplanes, especially because veterans (already exposed!) who'd flown the airplanes earlier might learn of the contamination, and their exposure, and turn to the VA for well-earned medical care. OSD's statement clearly was crafted to prevent veterans from learning about the Agent Orange issues and then proceeding on their claims, and the statement to the AF was taken up by managers at the 505th Sustainability Squadron as they sought and received the Air Staff approval for C-123 shredding and smelting...and by repeating OSD's recommendation to hide the process from the media and the veterans, it became AF policy. Special procedures were taken to make sure the destruction of the C-123 fleet was accomplished with as little public attention as possible, with hopes that no information would leak out at all.

It should be clear. Veterans had already been exposed. They should have been told of this, rather than having the evidence about it destroyed specifically to prevent their learning of the C-123 contamination history and the right...indeed, for many, the NEED to turn to the VA for medical care for exposure to deadly dioxin.

Shame on all parties involved for this "magnificent" deception. Shame on those who congratulated the Air Force players for their secrecy. Shame on Air Force Public Affairs for a piece of tainted "journalism" which brings discredit to the United States Air Force! The video shows cuts from military documents and other materials released under FOIA, the originals of which can be downloaded at www.c123kcancer.blogspot.com for further study.

2012 Veterans Benefits Handbook Available

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released its 2012 VA Health Benefits Handbook. To download a copy, click here.  The handbook is designed to provide veterans and their families with the information needed to understand VA’s health-care system, including eligibility requirements, health benefits and services available to help veterans, and copays that certain veterans may be charged.

Any veterans who have questions related to their health-care benefits can contact The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division by email.