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

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PO1 Robert Tiffany

Posted >1 y ago

while in the navy (specifically boot camp in San Diego 1976) one of our duties was to stand watch over some demolition. It was discovered that asbestos was in the building being demolished/gutted. I spent many nights wondering through the buildings doing my 'duty'. I would think that asbestos related problems would have shown by now, but just want to make sure.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. Asbestos is linked to certain cancers. We advise regular checkups and to let your clinician know of your concerns.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

First and foremost, thank you for your service. It would be recommended that you speak to your doctor about any medical concerns you have regarding potential exposure. While the PACT Act specifies presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to toxins, asbestos is not included as a toxin per the PACT Act. However, you can submit a claim for consideration for service-connection on a direct basis.

SSG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

why doesn't the registry on the VA site work? I've been trying on and off over the last yr to get my registry filled out.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

There have been a number of enhancements for the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, if you can please try logging in again:
https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/#page/home. If you are still unable to access the website, please email the Registry Managers at: [login to see] so they can directly assist you. They will be able to help troubleshoot issues & provide the appropriate guidance to help get you enrolled.

MSG Thajauna Rhodes

Posted >1 y ago

I serve in Desert Storm with the IVIII Airborne Field Corp Arty out Fort Bragg. Retired I. 2005. Since that time I have had three cyst removed form different parts of my body. Would that be connect to the burn pits? My daughter also is having cyst issue; I had her 1996, 5 years later.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. There are no cystic diseases covered under the PACT Act and there is no science to suggest a connection.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. However, a cyst can be many different things, service connection would depend on the condition for which you were clinically diagnosed. We’ve added more than 20 burn pit and other toxic exposure presumptive conditions based on the PACT Act. These presumptive conditions expand benefits for Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veterans. The PACT Act does not address generational disabilities such as those affecting children of Veterans exposed.

MSgt Jason House

Posted >1 y ago

Hello! Very fast question. I did four OEF and four OIF tours from 2003 to 2010. I am also a Desert shield / desert storm Air Force veteran with over 24 years of service. I retired in 2011 and since received a disability rating from the military. I was not diagnosed with acid reflux since 2008 but it always went away for years at a time. Since 2020 I've gotten treatment for acid reflux, and I've been in and out of the VA since. My questing to you is acid reflux a condition of burn pits exposure possibly, and is acid reflux one of the many issues from burn pits? That's it, thanks

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. Acid reflux, a very common medical condition, is not one of the burn pit presumptions in the PACT Act. 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

While the PACT Act specifies presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to toxins, acid reflux is not included as a condition presumed to be related to burn pit exposure. 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.

SFC Lynn Santosuosso

Posted >1 y ago

Why are you ignoring desert shield and desert storm Veterans when you publicize who this is for? All we ever see is gulf war Iraq Veterans…
Those of us who were activated during 1990 in 1991 had all kinds of shit burned in our FOB‘s!

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Gulf War I Veterans are indeed eligible for the presumptions if you meet the deployment criteria and the service dates. Thank you for your service.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

The PACT Act does include Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veterans. The new law applies to anyone who served on or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the airspace above any of these locations.

SP5 George Butts

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

What is the status of consideration for burn-pit exposure for Vietnam Veterans?
It appears there is little or no discussion, or connections to environmental exposures experienced in Vietnam aside from Agent Orange. Common sense tells me the numerous Vietnam era burn pits contained a greater number of hazardous chemicals or materials compared to those subsequently experienced years later in South-West Asia operations. Consider the simple fact that many substances were no longer in use or had been banned due to emerging environmental concerns learned during the decades separating the conflicts. One example, DDT was banned in the early 1970's following its widespread use in Vietnam. DDT and numerous other chemicals and materials were routinely thrown into burn pits throughout Vietnam.

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.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thank you for the question. Exposure to burn pits in Vietnam is not specifically addressed by this legislation. However, any exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange is presumed for many Vietnam-era Veterans and conditions are already established as presumptive due to that exposure. Anytime you have a medical condition which you believe was caused by or worsened by events that occurred in service, you should file a claim for service connection. You can file that claim via the va.gov website, through an accredited representative or by making an appointment to speak with VBA at VERA - Home (force.com).

CPO Dennis Schaefer

Posted >1 y ago

I'm checking on asbestos exposure in the Navy, while the ship was in the yards.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Asbestos exposure is not specifically addressed in the PACT Act. However, depending on the condition you have been diagnosed with and the location of your service, service connection may be considered. Anytime you have a medical condition which you believe was caused by or worsened by events that occurred in service, you should file a claim for service connection. If the condition is not one established by the law as presumptive, you can still become service connected for that condition if a medical opinion linking the condition to the events in service or treatment during service is obtained. You can file that claim via the va.gov website, through an accredited representative or by making an appointment to speak with VBA at VERA - Home (force.com).

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thanks for your service and question. VA encourages Veterans who feel that their health was negatively impacted by their military service to submit a claim

CPO Domingo Becerra

Posted >1 y ago

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism after I got back from Iraq. I read it can turn into Cancer and I know for a fact it was directly related to burn pits. But its not listed.

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.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

Thank you for your service and question. VA encourages Veterans who feel that their health was negatively impacted by their military service to submit a claim. your claim would be filed as a request for consideration of direct service connection. Hypothyroidism is a common disease with many causes and we would encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about your illness.

Maj Lisa Boyer

Posted >1 y ago

I have a 30% rating for asthma due to my constant exposure to diesel fumes during my service in Germany from 1985-1987. I remained on active duty through 1990 and then was in the reserves. I developed breast cancer in 2002 and was denied benefits recently for this condition. I have permanent disability as a result of my cancer. Would this fall under presumptive and can I re-file?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

First and foremost, thank you for your service. Germany is not included as a location for presumptive conditions related to burn pit exposure under PACT Act. 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 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 .

SSG Phillip Guilliams

Posted >1 y ago

The government is about to hire 87,000 armed IRS agents, yet I am notified that PACT act claims will not be examined until January 2023, why the delay??

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

>1 y

VA will begin processing claims as soon as January 2023. Before VA can begin to process PACT Act claims, the Department must first receive congressional approval to access the start-up funding, implement various policy and procedures changes needed and the system support to process claims. Veterans and survivors can apply for benefits now. For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT

VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits

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