NEW: Agent Orange linked to ‘aggressive’ bone marrow cancers in Vietnam veterans

(forwarded by Paul Bergeron)
Agent Orange exposure is a recognized risk factor for several types of bone marrow cancers, and is a presumptive condition for U.S. veterans seeking health and disability benefits. These include multiple myeloma and, based on recent research, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). 

Confirmed Bone Marrow Cancers:
VA officially recognizes the following bone marrow-related conditions as presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure:

1. Multiple Myeloma: This is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. The VA considers it a presumptive condition, which means affected veterans do not have to prove a direct connection between their service exposure and the disease to be eligible for benefits.
2. Chronic B-cell Leukemias: This group of blood cancers affects B-cells, which also originate in the bone marrow and are part of the immune system. 

Emerging Evidence: Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS):
Until recently, the link between Agent Orange and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) was less clear, creating barriers for veterans seeking care and disability benefits. However, significant new research, presented at the 2025 American Society of Hematology annual meeting and published in the journal Blood, has established a strong association.
The study identified genetic mutations tied to earlier diagnosis and faster progression of the disease, he said. “What we’re seeing is that Agent Orange added a mutation — and that mutation sets patients on the road to cancer 50 years later,” researchers stated.
These findings are expected to help formalize the recognition of MDS as a presumptive condition, aiding veterans in accessing the care they need. 

Key findings from this research indicate that exposed veterans:
• Have a higher risk of developing MDS.
• Tend to be diagnosed at a younger age.
• Exhibit more aggressive forms of the disease with a higher number of harmful genetic mutations.
• Are nearly twice as likely to see their condition progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 

Actionable Steps for Veterans:
If you or a loved one are a veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange and have been diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer:
• Check Eligibility: Veterans who served in specific areas (e.g., Vietnam, the Korean DMZ) during defined time frames are presumed to have been exposed.
• Apply for Benefits: You may be eligible for VA health care and disability compensation. You can learn more about the process and eligible conditions on the official VA Public Health website. While many health problems such as MDS are not recognized by VA as presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure, a claim can proceed for a case-by-case adjudication. This MDS study can help support such a claim. Seek help from an accredited veterans service officer, such as from DAV, VFW, state or local governments.
• Seek Specific Care: The findings from recent studies suggest that Agent Orange-related MDS has unique genetic patterns, which might influence specific treatment decisions. Consult with a hematology specialist. Make sure your health care providers are aware of your Agent Orange exposure history!
• Get an Exam: Eligible veterans can receive a free Agent Orange Registry health exam to document exposure-related health concerns. 

Boston University Study: Causes of Gulf War Illness Pinpointed (?)

Maybe the examiners performing my Gulf War Registry Exam at Fort Jackson back in '92 weren't too worried about the mysterious "Gulf War Syndrome." They instantly assured me I didn't have it – their appraisal seemed more from a script than an individual examination. This new study by Boston University is summarized by the National Institutes of Health on its MedlinePlus site.

I thought I had GWS. I still do. I had giant cell arteritis, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, weakness, chronic fatigue, depression, cancers, heart disease, joint pains, skin rashes on my bum and other things I'd never had before.  I became subject to MRSA after major surgeries.

Without explanation, these were all dismissed as totally unassociated with Gulf War Syndrome. Years later, the Palo Alto War Injury and Illness Study Center performed tests on me which confirmed loss of brain white matter, a GWS issue and a very early warning sign of Alzheimer's

This new study suggests that Gulf War Registry exams weren't done with much concern about identifying veterans to qualify for benefits, but rather, to keep them from qualifying.
                                                              –//–

MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to pesticides and other toxins appears to be the cause of Gulf War illness in U.S. veterans, a new analysis states.

The Boston University researchers reviewed studies on Gulf War illness, and said their findings "clearly and consistently" show a link between the disorder and exposure to pesticides and taking pyridostigmine bromide (PB) pills, which were meant to protect troops against the effects of nerve gas.

There's also evidence of a connection between Gulf War illness and exposure to the nerve gas agents sarin and cyclosarin, and to oil well fire emissions, according to the findings published in the January issue of the journal Cortex.

These toxins damaged troops' nervous and immune systems, and reduced the amount of white and gray matter in veterans' brains, said study leader Roberta White in a news release from the university. White is a professor of environmental health at Boston University's School of Public Health.

The main causes of Gulf War illness are like so-called "friendly fire," said study co-author James Binns. "We did it to ourselves," he said in the news release.

"Pesticides, PB, nerve gas released by destroying Iraqi facilities -- all are cases of friendly fire. That may explain why government and military leaders have been so reluctant to acknowledge what happened," Binns said.

About 700,000 U.S. troops fought in the first Gulf War 25 years ago, and as many as 250,000 veterans of that conflict have Gulf War illness, the researchers said. It is a debilitating disorder that features symptoms such as fatigue, joint and muscle pain, headaches, concentration and memory difficulties, gastrointestinal problems and skin rashes.

For years, Gulf War veterans have claimed that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs did not take Gulf War illness seriously. In 2008, a committee created by Congress and directed by the White House released a report that said Gulf War illness is a real disorder that's distinct from stress-related syndromes.

The report from the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses called for research into the causes and treatments of the illness. Binns was chairman of that committee.

Efforts to find effective treatments for Gulf War illness have been unsuccessful, but recent research has started to offer promising leads, the researchers added.

SOURCE: Boston University Medical Center, news release, Jan. 26, 2016

Title 38 United States Code 501(a), 1116(a)(3), and 1821)

Here is the basis for Agent Orange claims of Vietnam veterans, Korea DMZ veterans, and C-123 veterans. These are the three groups considered "presumptively exposed" as described in Title 38 United States Code 501(a), 1116(a)(3), and 1821.) C-123 veterans join the others as the only groups covered by VA's automatic presumption of exposure and coverage for illnesses recognized by VA as associated with Agent Orange.

I recommend veterans beginning the claims process include the VA C-123 Fact Sheet and the Title 38 USC C-123 page when you meet with VA or veterans service organizations – this is a new topic for everyone and very few understand our entitlements.

(6) Diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. (i) For the purposes of this section, the term “herbicide agent” means a chemical in an herbicide used in support of the United States and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, specifically: 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T and its contaminant TCDD; cacodylic acid; and picloram.(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1116(a)(4))(ii) The diseases listed at §3.309(e) shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service, except that chloracne or other disease consistent with chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during active military, naval, or air service.(iii) A veteran who, during active military, naval, or air service, served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, shall be presumed to have been exposed during such service to an herbicide agent, unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed to any such agent during that service. The last date on which such a veteran shall be presumed to have been exposed to an herbicide agent shall be the last date on which he or she served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975. “Service in the Republic of Vietnam” includes service in the waters offshore and service in other locations if the conditions of service involved duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam.(iv) A veteran who, during active military, naval, or air service, served between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971, in a unit that, as determined by the Department of Defense, operated in or near the Korean DMZ in an area in which herbicides are known to have been applied during that period, shall be presumed to have been exposed during such service to an herbicide agent, unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed to any such agent during that service. See also 38 CFR 3.814(c)(2).(v) An individual who performed service in the Air Force or Air Force Reserve under circumstances in which the individual concerned regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served onboard C-123 aircraft known to have been used to spray an herbicide agent during the Vietnam era shall be presumed to have been exposed during such service to an herbicide agent. For purposes of this paragraph, “regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served onboard C-123 aircraft” means that the individual was assigned to an Air Force or Air Force Reserve squadron when the squadron was permanently assigned one of the affected aircraft and the individual had an Air Force Specialty Code indicating duties as a flight, ground maintenance, or medical crew member on such aircraft. Such exposure constitutes an injury under 38 U.S.C. 101(24)(B) and (C). If an individual described in this paragraph develops a disease listed in 38 CFR 3.309(e) as specified in paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section, it will be presumed that the individual concerned became disabled during that service for purposes of establishing that the individual served in the active military, naval, or air service.(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 1116(a)(3), and 1821)

VA Insists VA Rule Does Not Apply To VA

"If a veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, but was exposed to an herbicide agent defined in 38 C.F.R. 3.307(a)(6) during active military service, has a disease on the list of diseases subject to presumptive service connection, VA will presume that the disease is due to the exposure to herbicides."
VA’s  Guide on Agent Orange Claims, Compensation and Pension Service,” carries this information, and VA repeats it on the Federal Register 8 May 2001 and Federal Register 31 August 2010.

VA, however, according to Post Deployment Health and as personally explained to me by the Director Compensation and Pension Services has decided to direct that Compensation and Pension never award service connection for Agent Orange exposures. This is because Post Deployment Health revised the standard definition of "exposure" to add "bioavailability" and, using their new definition, has continued their insistence that no C-123 veterans would receive service connection, actual fact-proven exposures or not.

This threatens all veterans concerned about every possible exposure...VA has redefined away exposures and their definition is now used to prevent exposure claims, even in the face of fact-proven exposure situations. With the new definition VA can pretend away every claim.

Thus, this VA rule does not apply to the VA, according to VA leadership.

If you haven't already had an Agent Orange exam, your C-123 Veterans Association urges to to obtain one immediately, even at your own expense. Yesterday an important article was published about aggressive prostate cancer being linked to Agent Orange exposure:

"This is a very, very strong predictor of lethal cancer," said urologist Dr. Mark Garzotto, who worked on the study at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oregon."If you're a person who's otherwise healthy and you've been exposed to Agent Orange, that has important implications for whether you should be screened or not screened," he said. (click here for full text of published article)

Dr. Garzotto happens to be my own VA urologist and already provided an opinion that I was exposed

during my years aboard the C-123, but the Portland VA regional office then rejected his expert opinion classifying it as "unacceptable lay evidence." From my perspective, he's a great physician, teaches at a fine medical school, works for the VA and obviously knows a lot about prostate cancer and dioxin...but VA makes its own rules and then choses which ones to use against us. VA regional offices seek any opportunity, however remote, to deny claims regarding Agent Orange. Any supporting evidence of C-123 veterans' exposure to Agent Orange is automatically unacceptable to the VA, per VA Compensation Services.

Last week we were informed by VA's Deputy Director of Post Deployment Health that Agent Orange exams are no longer allowed for our exposed C-123 veterans because of new internal VA rules requiring the exam be restricted to just Vietnam veterans or veterans in contact with LIQUID Agent Orange. Because our exposure was to the dried dioxin residue on the airplane which left it "heavily contaminated" we are prohibited from seeking an Agent Orange exam.

We believe Dr. Garzotto's research makes clear that all C-123 veterans need to be examined if they haven't already been seen for Agent Orange exposure. Do this promptly even though we are now excluded from the VA system.

The current Agent Orange Registry page on the VA site is outdated where that it says all veterans who believe they've been exposed may ask for the AO exam. "All veterans" does not include C-123 veterans as of last week. Outdated, or there may be some sort of confidential VA Post Deployment Health internal memo used to exclude us, but this new exclusion from the Agent Orange Registry has been confirmed with their Deputy Director and veterans already denied exams. The version for  C-123 veterans is:

"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"

VA Health Benefits Administration, as we were told by Compensation Services when we met with them on 28 Feb 2013, already ruled that C-123 veterans could not have been exposed and that no evidence to the contrary, such as from VA doctors, scientists, medical schools, or even the finding by the Director of the CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry that we WERE exposed, is acceptable to VA. So the VA has determined that we cannot seek medical care there, but Dr. Garzotto's research makes it clear that we must seek it somewhere - do so now! We can't wait for the VA any longer.