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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
I worked as a fuels specialist in the Airforce and was repeatedly exposed to Jp4 jet fuel. I have had to have a kidney and liver transplant and heave just learned the repeated exposure to jet fuel causes liver damage. Is there any help for people in my situation?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks for your service and question. You may always file a claim for individual service connection. The PACT Act includes studies on jet fuel exposure.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Exposure to jet fuel 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).
How long after eas can you file?
Is nerve issues related to the muscle skeletal problems in Gulf war syndrome?
Is nerve issues related to the muscle skeletal problems in Gulf war syndrome?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you your service and question. You can always file a claim and we cannot answer individual medical questions on this chat but may or may not be any relation. Gulf War Illness is a complex issue that needs to be diagnosed by a qualified medical provider. If you have not had one you might consider having a Gulf War Registry Exam. To schedule exam reach out to an environmental health coordinator: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
There are no time limits on filing a claim. VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. However, VA encourages all Veterans if you believe you have a service connected disability to file a claim. Please contact our national call center for specific guidance at [login to see] or schedule an appointment online at https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act does not include conditions presumptive to contaminated water exposure at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune.
Information on VA’s established presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to contaminated water at MCB Camp Lejeune is available on the website at https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/.
Information on VA’s established presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to contaminated water at MCB Camp Lejeune is available on the website at https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Yes, Camp Geiger is included. Please see the VA website at: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp for more information and a map
I am a veteran of (desert storm). My father Earnest Dean Cassidy was also a Marine Vietnam Veteran who served active duty and did at least four tours in Vietnam as a grunt gunnery sergeant. It is said that they/he was exposed to agent orange. I have been diagnosed with some rare autoimmune diseases and it is questioned whether they are a direct correlation to what he was exposed to during his active-duty enlistment. Unfortunately, my parents were both tragically killed simultaneously by a semi (NOT their fault) on Memorial Day, May 26th, 1991. Their tragic accident ruined my military career in the Navy, and I still suffer with PTSD. These rare autoimmune diseases came out of nowhere and NOBODY in my entire family has them and it has been said that my father's exposure to agent orange could have been passed on through his DNA. I most humbly request that someone reach out to me to check into connecting them to my father's exposure while he was an active-duty Marine grunt on the front lines in Vietnam. Thank you for your time and consideration herein.
Most respected
Karrie Ables (FKA Cassidy)
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Most respected
Karrie Ables (FKA Cassidy)
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you and your father's service and for the question. 11 National Academies Reports on Veterans and Agent Orange have found no link between generational health effects (and birth defects) and Vietnam service. You may always file a claim for potential direct service connection.
I served in Desert Shield /Storm I filed and got rejected . I refiled still pending. I've spoke to several vet help agencies and they seem to want you to do the legwork and they get a percentage upon approval. I'm ready to give up I have all kind of ailments I think are based from my service during the war. My email is [login to see] any assistance is greatly appreciated. [login to see] is my cell
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot answer specific questions related to your claim in this forum, 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. Please note: Veterans should apply directly to VA or through accredited Veterans Service Organizations if they think they’re entitled to VA benefits. Applications can be submitted in person at any Regional Office or online at va.gov. There’s no cost for the forms and no fees to apply. VA will never charge Veterans for processing a claim or request a processing fee. Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees VA will award a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact OIG at [login to see] or Call: [login to see] .
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks for your service and question. The only recommendation is that you look at the full list of conditions added by the PACT Act and that you might consider working with a Veteran Service Organization that does not require a fee. https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
I was directly exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. I have had 3 cancers (Parathyroid, Breast and now am recovering from colon cancer). I had a stroke and mild heart attack. I currently have a 50% PTSD disability and have applied and appealed for benefits regarding Agent Orange but have been denied will the Pact Act help with getting Agent Orange disability benefits?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT ACT for Vietnam adds Hypertension and MGUS. With your history you should look at whether you might be diagnosed with hypertension. ischemic heat disease is already a presumption. Please see the website at: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp for a list of the Agent Orange presumptions. You always have the right to re-file a claim based on new evidence. Thank you for your service and question.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act expands benefits for certain Vietnam-era Veterans. Though we cannot state for certain in this forum if you would fall into those categories, 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. For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
I was in POL in the Air Force for 11 years. I was doused in jet fuel a few times (documented) had it in my eyes, lungs and stomach. I have chronic sinus problems that I believe are related. Would this bill possibly help me?
Thanks
Don Steckman
Thanks
Don Steckman
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and question. The PACT Act covers sinusitis related to deployment to the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Exposure to jet fuel 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).
Is there evidence showing Scleroderma (Scl-70) (ENA) Antibody or Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (PSS), a chronic systemic rheumatic disease related to Burn Pit/Environmental Exposures?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and question. At this time there is not evidence linking this condition but VA will continue to review published literature and other sources for this and other conditions. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim.
has there been any consideration been given to CONUS exposure to Agent Orange and/or Gulf War exposures not in already listed areas?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thanks for your question and service. DOD and VA did a two year investigation and updated a list that is on the VA website. At this time there are no plans to add countries for Agent Orange. You can find more information here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/locations/tests-storage/index.asp
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