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

Posted in these groups: 210d76c2

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2e209d1c

Burn Pits

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 4575 orig

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Chhhfnmfuj 1420036448753

VA Claim

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Responses: 196

Show most popular responses

SPC Jose Velez

Posted >1 y ago

I need help ...I was a CIVILIAN (DOD) Employee GS-12 (LTC) deployed to Desert Storm/ Shield, I was a Civilian employee accompanying Federal Troops In Combat..I was assigned to the XVII AIRBORNE CORPS, Log Base Charlie. I'm being treated for PTSD among other Gulf War symptoms at the local VA hospital..But I'm having the hardest time trying to get compensation for all my conditions any advice?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thank you for your question. Civilians are covered by Worker's Compensation through an employer. The Department of Labor manages this program. .

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

The PACT Act is specific to Veterans serving in one of the locations on active military duty. If you were a civilian employee you would need to file with your employer or Department of Labor.

LCpl Scott Evans

Posted >1 y ago

I have had a chronic cough since about two and a half years after coming back fro Persian Gulf and Desert Storm/Shield. Plus while over in Saudi Arabia was also real close to the oil rig fires. But back at camp had to burn the crappers. I was turned down for the cough. I don't take anything or go to a civilian doctor for this. But now this has come about. So my question is will there be compensation for any of these.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thank you for service and question. Cough by itself is not a presumption but it may be indicative or asthma, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis or other condition. We would encourage you to get a diagnosis for the cough, and treatment as needed, from your healthcare provider. VA encourages Veterans who feel that their health was negatively impacted by their military service to submit a claim.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

PACT Act establishes presumptions of service connection for more than 20 conditions related to exposure to burn pits and certain other toxins. The list of conditions includes certain respiratory conditions. If you believe that you have a disability related to exposure to toxins, you are encouraged to file a claim now. We 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.

SPC Martin Blanco

Posted >1 y ago

Kidney cancer is one of the new accepted conditions, is it restricted to the within 10 years after discharge rule?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

No. There is no restriction or rule on the time frame for eligibility after discharge. If you believe that you have a condition that is related to exposure to toxins, you are encouraged to file a claim now.

SSG Milfred Robins

Posted >1 y ago

What are the long term health effects for ground combat troops exposed to Burning Depleted Uranium? During the Persian Gulf War we had to clear tanks, bunkers and soft vehicles disabled by coalition aircraft and armor units using 20mm DU Tipped ammunition. Most of the vehicles and structures were still on fire or smoldering. Many members of my unit, Bravo Co. 2/505, 82 Airborne have since died from brain cancers or rare leukemias. 8 out of 120 man rifle company are now deceased from these illnesses. I have been diagnosed with Asthma, Migraine and Ice Pick Headaches along with brain lesions, non-diabetic Neuropathy, rashes that come and go, and Shingles without ever having Chicken Pox. Please provide any information on this for the many service members suffering from similar ailments.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. You may wish to contact your VA to enroll in the Depleted Uranium (DU) registry program. The DU program can send a special container for collecting a urine to measure DU. Overall, inhalation of DU fumes has not been associated with any health effects and the only elevations of urine DU have been found in Veterans with toxic embedded fragments. To enter the DU registry search for Directory of Environmental Health Coordinators at VA at: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp

SPC Aesia Brown

Posted >1 y ago

Are there any neurological conditions on the presumptive list? If not, is this something that can be looked into?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism are covered for Vietnam Agent Orange exposure and for Veterans who served for more than 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

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.

SFC Ron Griffin

Posted >1 y ago

Why is Somalia not included is this registry? There were many burn pits of all types during those deployments.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Somalia is included in the locations outlined by the PACT Act. If you served in Somalia on or after August 2, 1990, VA has determined you had exposure to burn pits or other toxins. This is having a presumption of exposure. You are encouraged to visit VA’s PACT Act website at https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/. You can utilize links on the site to submit claims, and address any questions to maximize your entitlement related to the act’s recent passage.

 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Somalia is currently not listed as one of the eligible countries for the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits Registry (AHOBPR). Registry eligibility is legislated and includes deployments to the Southwest Asia theater of operations or Egypt any time after August 2, 1990 or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, or Uzbekistan on or after September 11, 2001. Regions and countries include: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. The registry is used for research and the claims process is separate and not required to file a claim.

SP6 Jadrian Whitfield

Posted >1 y ago

My wife was exposed to burn pits, the only symptoms that she has is very bad skin conditions. Does she qualify for any claims based on skin conditions?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

The PACT Act legislation regarding burn pit covers respiratory conditions and cancers. No skin conditions other than melanoma (a malignant skin cancer) are covered. 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

>1 y

TSgt Paul Perez

Posted >1 y ago

So if I had a respiratory cancer (carcinoid tumor) and served in country on list of presumptive locations, I should receive a compensation rating correct? I’m just curious, since they have me scheduled later next week for a C&P exam. I figured they could see all my medical records showing the cancers and make a decision thing at way. Is it required to see someone? Really don’t mind, but I gave them all the evidence the VA needed.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. However, if VA has scheduled a C&P exam, it is important for you to attend. Missing your exam could cause VA to delay its decision on your claim or decide your claim on the evidence of record, which could impact your benefits.

SSgt Dennis Ribble

Posted >1 y ago

I worked on the aircraft that sprayed agent orange in RVN. I have had hypertension for several years.
I filed a claim last week. How long will it take to decide my benefits and what can I be compensated if approved?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

We’ll start to process PACT Act-related benefits in January 2023. We must wait for funding approval from Congress and put the needed systems in place before we can process these claims.

SPC Andy Charles

Posted >1 y ago

I created burn pits and maintained them ,while operating a bulldozer.The burn pits contained rubber,construction materials,diesel fuel,missile containers, wiring insulation,and whatever else the other units could come up with( unknown substances).This was in Germany. I now have bladder cancer,pancreatic cancer,copd,sinusitus and rhiniitus .The locations that are covered under the PACT ACT do not include my duty station,nor the encompassing dates.Your suggestions are appreciated.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

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).

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

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..

VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits

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