VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits

VA recommends you discuss your exposures with your provider on the next clinical visit at VA. You may consider joining the the Airborne Hazard and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) at this website: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/#page/home. You can only apply if you have deployed to an eligible country. You do not need to join this registry to submit a claim.

Please refer this question to Primary Care.

Step 1 is to register. Link to follow instructions Foreign Medical Program (FMP) - Community Care (va.gov) and you may call the Toll-free phone number [login to see]

Additional information: The Foreign Medical Program (FMP), does not have the authority to reimburse for screening Veterans for toxic exposure under the PACT Act. FMP has limited authority to reimburse hospital care and medical services for Veterans residing or traveling outside the United States and US territories. Reimbursement is limited to medical care needed for the treatment of a service-connected disability or any disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected disability.
Veterans participating in VA’s Veterans Readiness and Employment Program can have medical or dental services reimbursed for non-service-connected conditions as long as the case manager deems the treatment is necessary to continue in the program.

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/.

The PACT Act established presumptions of service connection for more than 20 conditions related to exposure to burn pits and certain other Gulf War toxins. A Veteran's MOS is not a factor in consideration. If you served in one of the locations outlined in the PACT Act and have one of the medical conditions related to toxic exposures, you may be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act. If you believe that you have a medical condition that was caused by your exposure to burn pits, VA encourages you to file a claim now. You can file a claim online via VA.GOV or, in person at any regional office, or with an accredited representative.

Thank you for your ongoing service. You have taken all the necessary steps to document your exposures. When you separate from active duty, please include your exposure history on your Separation Health Assessment done whe you leave military service (also know as an Elective Termination of Service or Retirement physical).

Thank you for your ongoing service. You have taken all the necessary steps to document your exposures. When you separate from active duty, please include your exposure history on your Separation Health Assessment.

Thank you for your service. The National Acadamies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has done several reports on the effects of Agent Orange and have reviewed reproductive health and birth defects. There is insufficient evidence to indicate birth defects among the children of those who were exposed to Agent Orange.

Thank you for your family's service to the nation. At the present time, the only disability recognized as Agent Orange presumptive in the children of MALE Vietnam veterans is Spina Bifida. If a child of a Vietnam veteran who was exposed to AO was conceived after the exposure presents with this disability, the VA has a program to assist with medical expenses and a provides a small stipend.

Thank you for your service. You are asking detailed clinical questions that cannot be answered in this forum. It may be helpful to review VA's website on the Gulf War: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/index.asp, and https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp, and to consider enrolling in the Gulf War Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp

Thank you for your service. You are asking detailed clinical questions that cannot be answered in this forum. It may be helpful to review VA's website on the Gulf War: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/index.asp, and https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp, and to consider enrolling in the Gulf War Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp

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/. If you have already filed a claim, you have done all you can.

Thank you for your question. Your husband may now be eligible for disability compensation and other benefits under the PACT Act. You took the correct actions on how to move forward when you took action to file a claim and get on the Agent Orange Registry. Thanks to your husband for his service.