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VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits
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We have reached capacity for questions for this event and VA will post responses by Sept 8th. For other PACT and burn pit related questions please call 1-800-MyVA411 ( [login to see] ).
Questions will be answered by the following experts:
» Dr. William J Culpepper - Deputy Director, Epidemiology Program, VA
» LTC Peter Rumm MD - Director of Policy, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» FN Shanna Smith-Jackson - Acting DEPDIR, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Daniel Brown - Program Analyst, VA
» Jacqueline Imboden - Special Advisor, Compensation Services, VBA
» Rachel Jones - Assistant Director, Office of Administrative Review, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Terra Vincent - Senior Toxicologist, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Cpl Heather McKibben - Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jamie Statton - Management Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Tara Kase - Senior Management & Program Analyst, Office of Policy & Oversight, VBA
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Questions will be answered by the following experts:
» Dr. William J Culpepper - Deputy Director, Epidemiology Program, VA
» LTC Peter Rumm MD - Director of Policy, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» FN Shanna Smith-Jackson - Acting DEPDIR, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Daniel Brown - Program Analyst, VA
» Jacqueline Imboden - Special Advisor, Compensation Services, VBA
» Rachel Jones - Assistant Director, Office of Administrative Review, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Terra Vincent - Senior Toxicologist, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Cpl Heather McKibben - Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jamie Statton - Management Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Tara Kase - Senior Management & Program Analyst, Office of Policy & Oversight, VBA
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Burn Pits
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
VA Claim
Responses: 196
You probably do not have records of my three years of service in Vietnam but while serving under CTF77 I made several trips into the country and was exposed to burn pits numerous times.
SCPO Allen Ragland
I did not see a response.
SCPO Allen Ragland
Whoever sent the response obviously knows very little to nothing about serving in Vietnam.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act legislation regarding burn pits is specifically aimed at the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations and does not include other locations. VA encourages Veterans who feel that their health was negatively impacted by their military service to submit a claim. Thank you for your question and your service..
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act does not include Vietnam as a location where exposure to burn pits is presumed. However, if you believe that you have a condition that is related to exposure to burn pits or other toxins, you are encouraged to file a claim. VA assumes that Veterans who served in certain locations were exposed to Agent Orange. For example, we presume exposure to Agent Orange if you served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. For more information on VA disability benefits based on Agent Orange exposure please visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/. We also encourage you to visit VA’s PACT Act website at https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/. Veterans can utilize links on the site to submit claims, and address any questions to maximize their entitlement related to the act’s recent passage.
How does this help with VA rating that we have denied due to already being rated in the body area?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. If we denied your claim in the past but we now consider your condition presumptive, we encourage you to file a Supplemental Claim. We’ll review the claim again. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
Thanks for your time, My question is I am Service Connected for Emphysema Stage 2 from Gulf War ODS/S but not my Obstructive Sleep Apnea which I have been on BiPap since 2016. Will this help my claim which was denied and my CardioVascular Disease that was also denied? (Bipap is on recall list and still waiting for 2 years now for a replacement. I have had P.E. in lungs since 2021 and now on Blood Thinner)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. If we denied your claim in the past but we now consider your condition presumptive, we encourage you to file a Supplemental Claim. We’ll review the claim again. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
Is a burn barrel (classified papers) considered a "burn pit" for purposes of this Act?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act specifies presumptive locations and periods of service for Veterans exposed to toxins. If you were not deployed to one of those specific locations during the periods of service indicated, in order to establish entitlement to service-connected compensation there must be (1) evidence of an in-service event, (2) evidence of a current disability and (3) a link between the two.
When a Veteran files a claim for a condition that is not an established presumptive for a location not identified in the PACT Act, VA would follow the same procedure of obtaining and reviewing evidence. However, this may also include requesting a medical opinion in conjunction with the exam request, to help determine if the current diagnosed condition is associated with the claimed in-service event. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com).
When a Veteran files a claim for a condition that is not an established presumptive for a location not identified in the PACT Act, VA would follow the same procedure of obtaining and reviewing evidence. However, this may also include requesting a medical opinion in conjunction with the exam request, to help determine if the current diagnosed condition is associated with the claimed in-service event. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and the question. A burn pit is a large industrial sized area, often several acres, for destroying solid wastes. A burn barrel doesn't fit that description.
I served in the U.S. Air Force as a Fire Protection Specialist (Firefighter) from 1982-1986. I was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL,; Grand Forks AFB, ND; Shemya AFB, AK (considered Overseas Short Tour); and Andrews AFB, MD.
Given the dates of service and limitations of the Service Dates and Locales, I am an “Invisible Veteran” Excluded from eligibility for benefits under PACT ACT even though I was continually exposed to Firefighting Foam (Aqueous Firm Forming Foam)(AFFF). AFFF contains PFAS/PFOS, and other toxic chemicals proven to cause health problems, yet was not included in the PACT ACT. Interesting enough, Military Firefighters regularily used Burn Pits for required proficiency training for fighting aircraft and fuel fires with no protective breathing apparatus both CONUS and OCONUS and yet were again excluded from the PACT ACT. Another case of the “Invisible Veteran” that is refused to be recognized because we served during a supposed “Peacetime.”
Given the dates of service and limitations of the Service Dates and Locales, I am an “Invisible Veteran” Excluded from eligibility for benefits under PACT ACT even though I was continually exposed to Firefighting Foam (Aqueous Firm Forming Foam)(AFFF). AFFF contains PFAS/PFOS, and other toxic chemicals proven to cause health problems, yet was not included in the PACT ACT. Interesting enough, Military Firefighters regularily used Burn Pits for required proficiency training for fighting aircraft and fuel fires with no protective breathing apparatus both CONUS and OCONUS and yet were again excluded from the PACT ACT. Another case of the “Invisible Veteran” that is refused to be recognized because we served during a supposed “Peacetime.”
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act specifies presumptive locations and periods of service for Veterans exposed to toxins. If you were not deployed to one of those specific locations during the periods of service indicated, in order to establish entitlement to service-connected compensation there must be (1) evidence of an in-service event, (2) evidence of a current disability and (3) a link between the two.
When a Veteran files a claim for a condition that is not an established presumptive for a location not identified in the PACT Act, VA would follow the same procedure of obtaining and reviewing evidence. However, this may also include requesting a medical opinion in conjunction with the exam request, to help determine if the current diagnosed condition is associated with the claimed in-service event. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com).
When a Veteran files a claim for a condition that is not an established presumptive for a location not identified in the PACT Act, VA would follow the same procedure of obtaining and reviewing evidence. However, this may also include requesting a medical opinion in conjunction with the exam request, to help determine if the current diagnosed condition is associated with the claimed in-service event. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for being a firefighter and first responder. VA is working with the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies regarding testing and clinical guidelines for military firefighters. The science is developing rapidly regarding PFAS but not yet to the point where we can recommend presumptions of diseases related to firefighter exposure. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military services has negatively impacted their health to file a claim. More information on PFAS can be found here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/pfas.asp
Is ductal carcinoma/pagets disease of the nipple covered under the PACT act as reproductive?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks for your question. Yes- as reproductive cancers, these are now covered.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act establishes presumptions of service connection for broad categories of conditions related to exposure to burn pits and certain other toxins. Even if you're not sure if your specific condtion is covered under the PACT Act, VA encourages you to file a claim now and we will make the determination when we review your claim.
Why is it last year when I claimed conditions burn pit related it was dismissed and now I am asked to provide “new” evidence in order to file a paper copy supplemental claim form. It’s great this was passed but you made it harder to file as well as placed the burden of evidence on us even though it is all there in our records. Seems like we really just played lip service to all this.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. If we denied your claim in the past but we now consider your condition presumptive, we encourage you to file a Supplemental Claim. We’ll review the claim again. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
Exposed to many burn pits in the AFSOC AOR. I believe I need to be assessed for potential breathing difficulties. I have submitted my claim and awaiting response. What does the wording presumption mean in terms of making a claim?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks your service and your question. The wording means that if you were in certain deployments and locations with burn pits you are presumed to have been exposed.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If a Veteran served in any of the locations and time periods outlined in the PACT Act, VA has determined they had exposure to burn pits or other toxins. VA assumes (or presumes) certain diseases or illnesses can be related to a Veteran’s military service. If you have a claim pending for a condition that is now presumptive, VA will consider eligibility based on the expanded presumptive locations and conditions under PACT Act when we decide your claim. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
We burned a lot of leftover nitroglycerin charges from mortar rounds. What are the potential long-term effects of this type of burning?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and question. As you likely know from your training, nitroglycerin was discovered to be a potent vasodilator that could lower blood pressures and decrease chest pains from heart attacks from the effects found in munitions workers. The effects of too much nitroglycerin are usually acute with effects such as low blood pressures, loss of consciousness, nausea and possibly death. It is likely that if you got a significant exposure to nitroglycerin that you would have experienced significant symptoms. Nitroglycerin is used in treating some cancers since it can assist with bringing blood to tumors and help deliver cancer chemotherapy. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim.
Yes. Nuclear radiation and direct plutonium exposure. Former Submarine Officer. Developmentally delayed son. Kittery Maine
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and important question. The DoD and US Navy keep records of radiation exposure for Service Members through the radiation safety programs. VA encourages Veterans wo believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. Studies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors have not found evidence of increased birth defects or delays among the children of the survivors through 2 generations. VA commissioned the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine to review radiation exposure and intergenerational effects and did not find an association.
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