U.S. Army armored personnel carrier (APC) spraying Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

WASHINGTON -The VA is urging Vietnam-era veterans, regardless of current health status, to get Agent Orange Registry health examinations.

The exams, arranged through a VA environmental health coordinator, can alert veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure during their military service, while increasing the amount of registry data VA can use to better understand and respond to these health issues.

The comprehensive health exam includes an exposure history, medical history, physical exam, and any tests if needed. Results are reported to veterans through a follow-up letter and through a face-to-face meeting with a healthcare provider.

The exams, which are unrelated to disability compensation, are free to eligible veterans - even if they are not enrolled in VA’s healthcare system -and do not require co-payment. Eligibility for the exams is based on veterans’ recollection of service and not on military records. If new problems appear after the initial exam, additional screenings are allowed.

On the other hand, the exams cannot be used to confirm exposure to Agent Orange and are not available to family members of veterans.

Eligible for the free exams are veterans who served:

• In Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, regardless of length of time,

• Aboard smaller river patrol and swift boats that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam (also known as “Brown Water veterans”,

• In a unit in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971,

• On Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases near U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, specifically Air Force veterans,

• In perimeter security units on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, specifically Army veterans,

• In some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, only if a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned a military occupational specialty whose duty placed him or her at or near the base perimeter.