By: Susan Paczak

If you served with one of these units from 1972-1982, you may qualify for VA Benefits. The VA now recognizes that if you operated, maintained, or served aboard a C-123 aircraft known to have sprayed Agent Orange- you were exposed to Agent Orange. This means that you may be eligible for compensation if you suffer from diseases that the VA agrees were caused by Agent Orange. This includes diseases such as: type II diabetes, heart disease (heart attack, coronary artery disease), prostate cancer, lung cancer, certain types of leukemia, and other cancers and conditions.

In order to qualify you must have served regularly and repeatedly aboard a contaminated aircraft in one of the following positions:

• –pilot/co-pilot
• –flight nurse
• –flight engineer
• –aircraft loadmaster
• –aircrew life support specialist
• –aircraft maintenance specialist
• –flight technician

Veterans who had active duty service, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training on such aircraft all qualify for benefits.

If you filed an application for benefits in the past that was denied or have never filed an application, you need to call out office to discuss this matter. When you call, please have the following information available: your DD214, any VA decisions on this issue, a list of the diseases that you believe were caused by Agent Orange, and a list of the doctors who have treated you these conditions. An attorney will then discuss this matter with you and give you a free analysis of your case.