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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 quarters in Mossul (FOB Freedom) where less than 50 meters from me and during the period of March to August 2005 we had to frequently walk through the smoke of the burn pit. Since then, I can not smell or taste unless the smell is extremally strong and I use a lot of spices and hot sauces when cooking and eating.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA presumes certain Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veterans were exposed to burn pits or other toxins. If you believe that you have a condition that is related to exposure to toxins, you are encouraged to file a claim now. 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). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and question. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim.
I have already been diagnosed with Sinusitis through the VA many years before the VA recognized the burn pit issues. I filed a claim it was denied, doesn't make sense as I was diagnosed after my deployments and also it's supposed to be presumptive
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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 or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service. The best advice is to file a claim now that sinusitis is a presumptive illness related to airborne hazards and burn pits in Southwest Asia.
Do burn pits include fire pits used by Air Force for aircraft firefighting training?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
No. Burn pits specifically refer to large industrial open air incineration of solid wastes. VA encourages Veterans who believe that military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. We hope this is not the case. Thank you for being an Air Force Firefighter and first responder.
I have prostrate cancer that was diagnosed in 2016 prior to my burn-pit exposure. My cancer got substantially worse after my exposure and is documented as such while on active duty. How do I claim this which has been previously denied?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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 or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
I am sorry that you had the misfortune to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims that are denied can be appealed to VBA if there is new information. And if there is a second denial, an appeal can be made to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA/Court of Appeals Veteran Claims (CAVC).
I lived next to a burn pit at Camp Bucca...the stench was horrible...I have breathing issues since then and participated in the STAMPEDE trial at Fort Sam...any results from this trial? Also, could my wacky blood pressure be a result of breathing in that horrid air?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and your question. You can find a publication on the results of the STAMPEDE study here: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm [login to see] OC . Hypertension is a common condition that increases over time as we age. VA encourages Veterans who feel that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. This would be reviewed on a case-by case basis.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you served in any of the following locations and time periods, VA has determined you 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. 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.
What happened to the Original Gulf War Registry that included persons like me exposed to burn pit and demolition toxins and oil well fires? I was a member of HHC 411th Eng Bde stationed at KKMC and later seconded to Damage Assessment in Kuwait and housed at "Camp Freedom" Sub Han Industrial Park North.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Gulf War Registry still exists. You would also be eligible for the Airborne Hazard Burn Pit Registry. Gulf War I Veterans are eligible for the presumptions if they meet the deployment criteria and the service dates. You do not mention any conditions that concern you, but if so, VA encourages Veterans who believe that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. Thank you for entering the Gulf War Registry. It has helpful VA build studies and look at trends for Gulf War Veterans.
Firstly, I appreciate the Q&A option. One of the presumptive conditions included with the PACT ACT is "brain cancer" but this is incredibly broad. Would this include Schwannomas, for example an Acoustic Neuroma, a rare brain tumor? Not to get personal, but I have unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, etc. associated with this tumor. I'm most interested in what constitutes "brain cancer" before proceeding with a claim. Schwannomas are often benign but brain tumors. nonetheless, that unfortunately result in residual disabilities. Any clarification appreciated. I'm hoping this information benefits other veterans exposed to burn pit and/or other environmental toxins.
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 condition 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
Thank you for serving the nation. We are sorry that you are dealing with tinnitus and hearing loss. Schwannoma tumors are benign, which means these tumors are not a cancer. If you have not done so, VA would encourage you to submit a claim if you believe that military service negatively impacted your health.
I was exposed to burn pits while serving in VietNam. Every detachment I was with burned human waste, tires, and other materials. Usually the burn pit was located by the latrines; our bunkers were located to the front of the latrines. We were subject to the smoke from the waste all the time. I suffer from acute sinusitis; is this covered by PACT or are VietNam vets excluded?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act burn pit legislation covers burn pits in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. It does not cover Vietnam service. Regarding your sinusitis, VA encourages any Veteran who feels that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. Thank you for serving the nation.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act does not include Vietnam as a location where exposure to burn pits is presumed. The presumption of service connection for sinusitis under PACT Act is related to exposure to burn pits and other toxins for certain Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veterans. 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 assumes that Veterans who served in certain locations were exposed to Agent Orange. For example, we presume exposure to Agent Orange if you served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. For more information on VA disability benefits based on Agent Orange exposure please visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/. We also 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.
The PACT Act notes that for Post 9/11 Iraq Vets that “Head Cancers of any type” are considered to be Service Connected by the 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 condition 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.
We operated a burn pit for Operation Just Cause for 3 weeks. It was located on Fort Kobe between Fort Kilby and Kobe Beach. I was exposed to toxic burning materials 12 hours a day hauling trash to that burn pit. Lieutenant colonel Bridges was the commanding officer of our unit, civil engineering. He now works as an SES for Air Force Environmental engineering.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act specifies certain service locations where Veterans are presumed to have been exposed to toxic substances. Panama is not included as a location where exposure to toxic substances in presumed. However, if you believe that you have a condition that is related to exposure to toxins, you are encouraged to file a claim.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for this information. Burn barrels and burn pits have often been used to get rid of wastes during military operations. DoD has recognized that industrial sized berm pits may have health consequences and in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations replaced the large burn areas with incinerators starting in 2010. Operation Just Cause was a shorter mission, but would have used burn barrels or burn pits to remove waste. You do not say that you have a condition that concerns you, but if so VA encourages any Veteran that believes that military services has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim. Thank you for serving our nation during in this conflict and protecting the lives of the 35,000 US citizens in that country and stopping a major site of drug money laundering.
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