VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits

Nine rare cancers tied to burn pit exposure added to VA benefits list ... The cancers include squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Melanoma is the only skin cancer included in the PACT Act. Basal Cell Carcinoma is a skin cancer and does not qualify.

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.

Veterans or survivors who had prior claims denied can file a supplemental claim for benefits, according to the VA announcement.

You are encouraged to file a claim. 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] or you can schedule an appointment with a local Regional Office at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT

The USS O'Bannon | DD 987, like many other Naval ships, was constructed with numerous products containing asbestos. Asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets

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).

Vietnam is not included as a location for conditions related to burn pit exposure. The PACT Act specifies presumptive locations for Veterans exposed to toxins. However, if you were treated for burns during that incident, 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/

Thanks your service and question. The PACT Act burn pit legislation is specifically aimed at the burn pits in Southwest Asia and do not include other locations. If you feel your health was compromised by your military service, you may always file a claim. Thank you for your question and your service.

2841 IN SHOP AND 3RD MACHINE GUN TEAM CLUTCH PLATOO0N

VA encourages Veterans who believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim, If this is an on-going problem, you have the right to file an individual claim for direct service connection. Thank you for your service and question.

Vietnam is not included as a location for conditions related to burn pit exposure. The PACT Act specifies presumptive locations for Veterans exposed to toxins. However, if you were treated for anaphylactic shock during that incident, 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/

Thank you for this inquiry. As you are already in receipt of DIC, we can provide some general information about other available survivor benefits. 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:  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.

Thank you for your service and question. There have been published reports on the Gulf War oil well fires and you can find more information here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/oil-well-fires.asp

Thanks you for your service and question. Without more details, it is difficult to assess a linkage, but you may always file a claim. VA encourages Veteran who believe that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim

You are encouraged to file a claim. 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 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.

VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. Please contact our National Call Center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] or you can schedule an appointment with a local Regional Office at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT

Your 100% VA disability rating will not be affected.

Thank you for your service and question. Section 804 of the PACT Act pertains to Camp Lejeune. This section may be cited as the "Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022’’. This legislation specifies that suits against the federal government are for actions filed prior to this law. It is important to note that as stated in the legislation "" (2) HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS RELATING TO WATER EXPOSURE.—Any award made to an individual, or legal representative of an individual, under this section shall be offset by the amount of any disability award, payment, or benefit provided to the individual, or legal representative— under—
(i) any program under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(ii) the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.); or
(iii) the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and
(B) in connection with health care or a disability relating to exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.""
VA would recommend you speak with a VSO or VA benefits expert knowledgeable about Camp Lejeune legislation prior to any decision as this could have implications for VA benefits.