Veterans Disability Benefits Offered to Pilots and Crews Exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam
| June 15th, 2015
There are currently millions of former members of the American armed forces who are unable to work due to medical conditions that stem from their service to our country. Our California veterans benefits attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that many of these individuals receive veterans disability benefits, but there are others who continue to struggle to get the benefits they deserve decades after becoming injured or ill. A prime example of this suffering can be seen in soldiers who were exposed to a toxic defoliant during the Vietnam War, known as Agent Orange. The chemical was dropped onto the jungle from the air to kill off the leaves, trees, and plants so that the enemy could be seen and identified from the air. Unfortunately, exposure to Agent Orange has also been linked to a number of health conditions over the years, including prostate cancer, leukemia, and diabetes. For many years, only soldiers who were exposed to the chemical while on the ground were able to collect veterans disability benefits for their health problems. An article from Newser says the Department of Veterans Affairs may reverse that decision though. Officials announced late last month that Air Force pilots and crews of C-123 aircraft, the workhorse that was used to spread Agent Orange during military campaigns until 1975, may be eligible to receive veterans disability benefits. Our team of California personal injury lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers applauds the efforts being made to get our nation’s veterans the benefits they deserve and we’re hopeful it can help veterans who have fought for benefits for decades to get back on their feet.
