Operation Ranch Hand

What was Operation Ranch Hand?

Operation Ranch Hand was a U.S. military operation during the Vietnam War that lasted from 1962 to 1971. Its primary mission was to spray tactical herbicides, most notably Agent Orange, to destroy dense jungle vegetation that provided cover for enemy forces and to destroy food crops used by the enemy.

How does this relate to VA claims?

Operation Ranch Hand is the primary source of the toxic exposure that affects Vietnam veterans today. Approximately 20 million gallons of herbicides were sprayed over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The dioxin contaminant found in these herbicides is highly toxic and has been linked to severe long-term health issues.

What is the “presumptive” connection?

Because the spraying was so widespread, the VA presumes that any veteran who served in Vietnam (boots on the ground) or on ships in the inland waterways (“Brown Water Navy”) between Jan 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, was exposed to herbicides. You do not need to prove you were specifically part of the Ranch Hand crews to qualify for benefits.

What diseases are linked to Ranch Hand?

The VA recognizes a long list of conditions presumed to be caused by the herbicides sprayed during Operation Ranch Hand, including:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Ischemic heart disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate cancer
• Respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea)
• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Chronic B-cell leukemias

Are C-123 crews eligible?

Yes. After the war, the C-123 aircraft used in Operation Ranch Hand were used for cargo and medical transport in the U.S. The VA now acknowledges that Air Force and Air Force Reserve personnel who worked on these contaminated planes after the war were also exposed to dangerous levels of herbicide residue.