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Compensation

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

In response to the Institute of Medicine’s report on Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft from the National Academy of Sciences, we have determined there is evidence of exposure to Agent Orange for Airmen who worked on C-123s that were used in Vietnam as part of Operation Ranch Hand. Specifically, we have determined there is sufficient evidence that Air Force and Air Force Reserve members who served during the period 1969 through 1986 and 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) were exposed to Agent Orange.

We encourage eligible Air Force and/or Air Force Reserve personnel who meet certain service qualifications, and have any of the medical conditions determined by VA to be related to exposure to Agent Orange, to apply for benefits.

Active Duty Qualifications

If you meet all of the following criteria, you should apply for benefits.

  • You served in a regular Air Force unit location where a contaminated C-123 was assigned.
  • You had regular and repeated contact with C-123 aircraft through flight, ground, or medical duties.
  • You have an Agent Orange-related disability.

See the list of affected military units, Air Force specialty codes, and dates of service for Air Force Veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange.

Reservists Qualifications

If you have an Agent Orange related disability and you were assigned to flight, ground, or medical crew duties at any of the following locations, you should apply for benefits.

  • Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio (906th and 907th Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th Tactical Airlift Squadron).
  • Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts (731st Tactical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron) or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • 901st Tactical Air Group (TAG); inactivated April 1, 1974
  • International Airport (758th Airlift Squadron).

We will presume that your Agent Orange condition had its onset during your Reserve training.

See the list of affected military units, Air Force specialty codes, and dates of service for Air Force Reserve personnel who may have been exposed to Agent Orange.

How to Apply

To file a claim electronically, use eBenefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov. After you select a disability in eBenefits when applying online, make sure you annotate C-123 next to the disability in the text box. If you have any of the following material, upload it with your online application:

  • Discharge, separation papers, (DD214 or equivalent)
  • USAF Form 2096 (unit where assigned at the time of the training action)
  • USAF Form 5 (aircraft flight duties)
  • USAF Form 781 (aircraft maintenance duties)
  • Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
  • Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)

If you choose to file by mail using VA Form 21-526EZ make sure you annotate each C-123 related disability in Section I, Block 11 on the form, and submit any of the material noted above (if you have it) with your paper claim. Claims can be mailed to the following address (or faxed to 608-373-6694):

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: C123 Claims
PO Box 5088
Janesville, WI 53547-5088

For specific benefit questions related to herbicide exposure on C-123s, individuals may call VA’s Special C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387, or email the St. Paul Regional Benefit Office at VSCC123.VAVBASPL@va.gov.

 See our fact sheet on C-123 aircraft and Agent Orange exposure

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