Does the VA consider cancer as service-connected if you were exposed to AFFF during your service?

2023-11-29T23:55:41-05:00

I was crash crew u.s navy have kidney cancer ?

Response by Sgt George Finn made Nov 30 at 2023 2:11 AM

2023-11-30T02:11:06-05:00

Good question. The VA tells me that I have Kidney disease with a cyst on my right kidney. Last time this was examined was in 2001. I have wondered about this.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 30 at 2023 7:27 AM

2023-11-30T07:27:19-05:00

Short answer: You’ll go through the standard claims process and must show:
1) You have an illness or injury;
2) That illness or injury was had a direct or indirect cause from an event;
3) That event happened during your military service.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is the “Firefighting Foam” that DoD (until very recently) and other fire departments use to put out liquid-based fires .. and does so incredibly well. The problem is that is contains polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which many studies have been associated with cancer and other health issues.

Because PFAS exposure is only considered to have a possible link to cancer*, the VA doesn’t have PFAS exposure on a presumptive list if you have health issues possibly related to it. This may change, as there are many studies and efforts* ongoing, but any possible service-connected issues are handled through the standard claim process.

Your first thing you should do is contact the VA and give an intent to file*. The next two things would be to contact a VSO to help you with the process and to contact the VA’s Environmental Health Coordinator* for your state to discuss if there are any studies or registries you should be aware of (I couldn’t find any related to the VA).
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* VA PFAS info page - https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/pfas.asp
* DoD’s PFAS Task Force - https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/index.html
* CDC fact page on PFAS chemicals and suggestive linkage to cancer - https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts200.pdf
* Ongoing research - https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html
* Intent to file a VA claim - https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/
* VA Environmental Health Coordinators - https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp

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Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2023 12:02 PM

2023-11-30T12:02:06-05:00

You listed yourself as an Army PVT, E1 type, 11B Infantry but you stated you were Crash Crew for the US Navy?

Response by SGT C Reed made Dec 6 at 2023 8:54 PM

2023-12-06T20:54:12-05:00

This is probably a good time to contact VA and start asking questions about this. It seems they pepper me with dozens of questions about exposure to various risks every time I go for an appointment. With the PACT act they are pushing hard to find those affected. Most of my time in the Middle East was as a govt civilian, ten years, and therefore my exposure isn't being 'counted', but it seems the VA (at least in MD) is trying.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2023 6:06 AM

2023-12-07T06:06:42-05:00

Yes employer should help to show their appreciation reward them for being loyal.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2024 6:37 PM

2024-01-30T18:37:10-05:00

Best to get it straight from VA, but here's some general info on the top ten of over 200 presumptive disorders. https://vaclaimsinsider.com/va-presumptive-list/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20VA%20Presumptive%20Conditions%20List%3F%201,DC%209210%208%20Musculoskeletal%20System%3A%20...%20More%20items

Page Not Found on VAClaimsInsider.com.

Response by Cpl Lawrence Dillard made Feb 23 at 2024 12:18 AM

2024-02-23T00:18:57-05:00

I was crash crew as well they keep testing me every year but nothing. However Copd doesn’t count I’m guessing. Or 2 heart attacks

Response by 1SG John Millan made Feb 23 at 2024 8:40 AM

2024-02-23T08:40:05-05:00

If you go there claim riggamarole and it is approved, even at zero %