Burn Pits/Particulate Matter Exposure

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For those who had to breathe all that bad air.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • These conditions do NOT have to rate at least 10% in order to be granted presumptive service-connection!

RATER NOTES:

  • Presumptive grants CAN receive an earlier effective date under Liberalizing law, if applicable.

  • In the event a condition manifested DURING service and BEFORE exposure, the VA will get a direct medical opinion.

    • If the direct opinion is not favorable then the VA WILL grant presumptive - assuming there is nothing that clearly shows that something other than your exposure caused the condition when everything is properly considered.

  • In the event a condition manifested BEFORE service, the VA can get an Aggravation medical opinion, if appropriate.

Registry

For those exposed to burn pits you may join the Registry.

NOTE:

  • You do NOT have to join the registry.

Eligibility

Those who served as Active Duty, Reservists, and National Guard members and who served in or in the airspace above the following locations from:

September 11, 2001 to Present Day:

  • Afghanistan;

  • Djibouti;

  • Egypt;

  • Jordan;

  • Lebanon;

  • Syria;

  • Uzbekistan; or

  • Yemen.

August 2, 1990 to Present Day:

  • The Arabian Sea;

  • Bahrain;

  • Gulf of Aden;

  • Gulf of Oman;

  • Iraq;

  • Kuwait;

  • Oman;

  • The Persian Gulf;

  • Qatar;

  • The Red Sea;

  • Saudi Arabia;

  • Somalia;

  • The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia; or

  • The United Arab Emirates.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Sometimes the VBA makes a mistake or they are missing evidence that would indicate you are an eligible Veteran with a diagnosed condition. If this happens, it is strongly recommended that you seek out the assistance of a VSO to help you file an Appeal.

    Additionally,

    • If there is documentation that during service the Veteran's exposure was due to their own willful misconduct or that after the Veteran's separation there was a supervening condition or event that was more than likely the etiology of the disease, the Veteran may be denied service-connection.

    • There is no day requirement; meaning if you have evidence you only touched a toe into an identified area for a second, and skipped happily away - you are covered.

    • File a Supplemental claim stating the condition is now presumptive.

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