After use during the Vietnam War to spray Agent Orange, the UC-123 aircrafts were returned to the United States. The Department of Veterans Affairs feels that the “dried residues” of the herbicide found on the UC-123 aircrafts did not lead to significant exposure for the maintenance and flight crews that worked on these specific aircrafts. However, a recent journal article by Environmental Research, found that “inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption in aircrew and maintainers were likely to have occurred during post-Vietnam use of the aircraft.” This new research creates an argument that the Department of Veterans Affairs policy is wrong, and these veterans should be entitled to Agent Orange related benefits.
To read the recent study, please go to: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.02.004.
For more information about service-connection benefits as the result of Agent Orange exposure, please contact our office.
