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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
My medical records have "DOMINIC RADIATION EXPOSURE" and a percentage/amount which I can not decipher. QUESTION
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
While VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues and this question is very specific to your individual records, you may be eligible for disability benefits if you meet certain criteria and were in contact with ionizing radiation while serving in the military. Please reach out to us at [login to see] so that a claims representative can review the records you are referencing and possibly provide you with context or an explanation.
What can I do to handle my worsening asthma? I use abutural nebulizer three times a day, use two steroid inhalers, an oral pill and rescue inhaler 3 to 4 times a day.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This is a question that should be posed to your medical provider. VA would also encourage you to submit a claim if you believe that your asthma is related to your military service. Please be seen by your healthcare provider to improve your health. Many options are available for the treatment of respiratory problems.
Suspended Profile
While serving onboard my ship in the Persian Gulf we followed an aircraft carrier for 3 months. We (in the engine room) were exposed to aircraft exhaust constantly during that period of time. We were constantly sick, fatigued and miserable. We didn't have any filtration whatsoever, it was all negative pressure forced induction air from the outside. Other Spruance Class Destroyer sailors can affirm this. The air in these engineering spaces were foggy with fumes, we couldn't avoid it due to our jobs. Now I've been diagnosed with COPD and other cardiovascular problems.
Would I be covered under this new law/act? Would it now be a presumptive condition?
Thank you.
Would I be covered under this new law/act? Would it now be a presumptive condition?
Thank you.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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
Thank you for your service and question. Depending on location and timeframe you may be eligible for the PACT Act presumptions. VA encourages Veterans who feel that military service has negatively affected their health to submit a claim. If you are ineligible for a presumption, your claim will be reviewed for direct service connection..
I have done everything registering for Burn Pits in Saudi Arabia but the VA has rated my compensation claims at 0% even those these related conditions have plagued me for years, (Headaches, Breathing Difficulties, Thyroid Disease). What steps do I need to follow to get these disabilities raised to at least 10% or above? I have informed my VA Primary Care of these conditions but it seems they are not documenting my disabilities. Please Help!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Once service connection is granted for a diagnosed disability, the severity of that condition is determined considering all current medical evidence to include but not limited to a VA compensation and pension examination or privately completed disability benefits questionnaire, treatment records, private medical records and any information provided by the Veteran. In order to increase your disability evaluation, you will need to submit medical evidence supporting that the condition has worsened. If you feel your condition has increased in severity we encourage you to file a claim for an increased evaluation at va.gov.
Sgt Carl Staton, AF 1979-1988
When I arrived on Williams AFB, AZ in December 1979 out of tech school for Environmental Health/Bioenvironmental Engineering they were just beginning to collect samples for testing from 100s of electrical transformers that had been removed from service but kept on base to determine their composition of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs). From that December of 1979 through the fall of 1980, I was personally involved in the testing of the majority of those transformers. Even though we wore protected gear (gloves and chemical mask) we were still directly affected by the vapors from these transformers in the Arizona heat. I often experienced some dizziness and tingling in my fingers and hands on certain days after gathering samples.
As a Bioenvironmental Engineering Specialist, I had to enter many environments on the AFB base that contained hazardous chemicals which included the Paint Shop (trichloroethylene, methylene, thinners, and airborne paint droplets), sampling of vapors from JP4 to those tasked with cleaning Jet Fuel Cells, chemicals used at Sheet Metal, and even potential exposure to asbestos as certain buildings on base that contained it were being torn down. I also was exposed to hazardous noise from measuring the noise levels in Jet Engine Test Cells and Sheet Metal where wearing both earplugs and muffs were not sufficient to keep exposure below hazardous levels. I was also tasked with daily calibration of the offices Geiger counter.
Today, I have chronic vertigo, kidney problems, and heart failure.
When I arrived on Williams AFB, AZ in December 1979 out of tech school for Environmental Health/Bioenvironmental Engineering they were just beginning to collect samples for testing from 100s of electrical transformers that had been removed from service but kept on base to determine their composition of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs). From that December of 1979 through the fall of 1980, I was personally involved in the testing of the majority of those transformers. Even though we wore protected gear (gloves and chemical mask) we were still directly affected by the vapors from these transformers in the Arizona heat. I often experienced some dizziness and tingling in my fingers and hands on certain days after gathering samples.
As a Bioenvironmental Engineering Specialist, I had to enter many environments on the AFB base that contained hazardous chemicals which included the Paint Shop (trichloroethylene, methylene, thinners, and airborne paint droplets), sampling of vapors from JP4 to those tasked with cleaning Jet Fuel Cells, chemicals used at Sheet Metal, and even potential exposure to asbestos as certain buildings on base that contained it were being torn down. I also was exposed to hazardous noise from measuring the noise levels in Jet Engine Test Cells and Sheet Metal where wearing both earplugs and muffs were not sufficient to keep exposure below hazardous levels. I was also tasked with daily calibration of the offices Geiger counter.
Today, I have chronic vertigo, kidney problems, and heart failure.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. I am sorry that you have these chronic conditions You have to file an individual claim for direct service connection. VA encourages Veterans who believe that their health was negatively impacted by their military service to submit a claim. Please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry report at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp17.pdf for more information about PCBs and health effects. Thank you for your service.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service Sgt Staton. 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).
Iam a Vietnam Veteran, of course i did the detail of Burn Pits of Human waste many times. will the meeting on 8 September of the panel address Viet Nam Veterans and Burn Pits.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Vietnam 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.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act legislation regarding burn pits and environmental particulate matter pollution from dust and sand is specific to 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.
I served in Vietnam from 70-71 with Armored Cav. I receive my healthcare thru the VA. I have never been tested for Agent Orange but I am and have been for years being treated for Hypertension. Do I now have to schedule an Agent Orange Exam to get compensation for this? What is the compensation (monetary or full payment of perscription drugs) what?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks for your question and service. There is no specific test for Agent Orange exposure. You do not have to have an Agent Orange Registry Exam to get compensation if eligible. File a claim and amount will be determined by the VBA after a review. Please see the VA website at: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp for further review.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Each Veteran’s claim is unique. Generally, in order for a Veteran to be service connected for hypertension in accordance with the PACT Act, the Veteran should have been deployed to a location conceded as a location where herbicides (Agent Orange) were used and have a clinical diagnosis of the disability. It is in the best interest for a Veteran to submit any claim for service connection as soon as possible. Please note the VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim, is intended for claims previously decided by VA. Veterans submitting new/initial claims for service connection should submit a VA Form 21-526, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. Veterans and their dependents are encouraged 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.
What is the definition of a survivor? Is that someone who survived exposure? Or is that a spouse who was married to a deceased veteran exposed to burn pits? A father? A son? A sister? Are they survivors of the deceased veteran exposed to burn pits?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
For VA purposes, the definition of a "survivor" as related to the PACT Act is a surviving spouse, dependent child, or parent of a deceased Veteran. Survivors, dependents or parents may be eligible for VA benefits based on the PACT Act. They will need to meet requirements for each benefit to qualify. Survivors, dependents or parents may be eligible for the following benefits: VA dependency and indemnity compensation (VA DIC) offers a monthly payment. Survivors may be eligible if they’re the surviving spouse, dependent child, or parent of a Veteran who died from a service-connected disability. Accrued benefits offer a one-time payment. Survivors may be eligible if they are the surviving spouse or dependent child or dependent parent of a Veteran who we owed benefits but that were unpaid at the time of their death. Health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) may be available for survivors and dependents of Veterans who are now, or who would have been, eligible for a service-connected disability. Burial allowance offers help with the Veteran’s burial and funeral costs. You may be eligible if you’re the Veteran’s surviving spouse, partner, child, or parent. For more information on the PACT Act, see VA.gov/PACT.
The PACT Act noted that the diagnosis of "head cancers of any type" for Post 9/11 are presumed to be Service Connected by VA. Does that include Basal Cell Carcinomas?
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.
Burning human fecal mater,urine and garbage; is this included in the burn pit legs. Siani 92
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act outlines specific time frames and locations related to burn pit exposure. If a Veteran served in any of these locations and time periods, VA has determined they had exposure to burn pits or other toxins. This is having a presumption of exposure: On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and the airspace above any of these locations. 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. Veterans and their dependents are encouraged 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.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and question. The Sinai in 1992 is not included . The PACT Act specifies the locations and timeframe for burn pit presumptions. The legislation states: ""on or after August 2, 1990, performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station in, including airspace above—
"(i) Bahrain;"(ii) Iraq; "(iii) Kuwait;"(iv) Oman;"(v) Qatar;"(vi) Saudi Arabia;"(vii) Somalia; or"(viii) United Arab Emirates; or
"(B) on or after September 11, 2001, performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to
a duty station in, including airspace above—"(i) Afghanistan;"(ii) Djibouti;"(iii) Egypt;"(iv) Jordan;"(v) Lebanon;"(vi) Syria;
"(vii) Yemen;"(viii) Uzbekistan; or"(ix) any other country determined relevant by the Secretary. VA encourages any Veteran who believes that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim for review on a case-by-case basis. ."
"(i) Bahrain;"(ii) Iraq; "(iii) Kuwait;"(iv) Oman;"(v) Qatar;"(vi) Saudi Arabia;"(vii) Somalia; or"(viii) United Arab Emirates; or
"(B) on or after September 11, 2001, performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to
a duty station in, including airspace above—"(i) Afghanistan;"(ii) Djibouti;"(iii) Egypt;"(iv) Jordan;"(v) Lebanon;"(vi) Syria;
"(vii) Yemen;"(viii) Uzbekistan; or"(ix) any other country determined relevant by the Secretary. VA encourages any Veteran who believes that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim for review on a case-by-case basis. ."
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