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VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits
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Random question, I guess..but I don’t know what better place to ask. Does anyone have bumps on their head (mine are a little smaller than grapes) since coming home from a burn pit area?
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service. Bumps on the head may be caused by a wide variety of issues. VA encourages you to discuss this with your medical provider.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans are concerned about the long-term health implications of exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) from consuming contaminated water while stationed at Fort Ord near Marina, CA. VA has reviewed all available data on contamination at Fort Ord. Although plumes of TCE were found in groundwater on the base, due to the architecture of the water system, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) previously concluded that it was unlikely that there was a significant risk of exposure to TCE or other potential toxins via drinking water at Fort Ord that would have impacted human health. The Agency recently announced that there is compelling new evidence to warrant a re-evaluation at the site. VA will monitor these activities closely.
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I got out of the Army in 2014, served in Iraq 2010-2011. In 2021, I had half of my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer. Is thyroid cancer covered under "cancers of the head and neck?" Am I entitled to any retroactive benefits for my surgery or an increase in my disability? Thank you!
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Yes, VA considers certain types of thyroid cancer as covered under neck cancers for purposes of the presumption of service connection based on exposure to burn pits and other toxins. Because each claim would need to be reviewed individually, VA encourages all Veterans who believe their claim is related to service to apply for disability compensation. VA would then determine effective dates, residual disabilities, etc.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service to the Nation. VA encourages you to discuss the therapeutic options of your skin illnesses with your provider. VA encourages all Veterans who feel their health conditions are related to service to file a claim. This webpage can help instruct you on how to file: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Anytime you believe that you have a medical condition that was caused by your military service, VA encourages you to file a claim.
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What’s the benefit of reporting having served at Camp Lejeune during the benzine and other chemicals contamination of the drinking water when i have been assigned a total of 100% disability for Thyroid Cancer, Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), Herniated Disk surgery x3.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service to the Nation. Submitting a claim for conditions that may be related to service at Camp Lejeune may help VA help other Marines by understanding the diseases associated with the drinking water exposure.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on. If you have qualifying service at Camp Lejeune and a current diagnosis of one of the conditions identified by VA as being presumptive to Camp LeJeune contaminated water, you may be able to get disability benefits. For more information, go to: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/
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