August 19, 2021 ---- Category: Types of VA Claims
Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances including burn pits and other airborne hazards may soon be eligible for disability compensation.
Exposure to Toxic Substances
The VA is now processing claims for asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis for Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances including burn pits and other airborne hazards who were diagnosed with the condition(s) within 10 years of the following qualifying service:
• Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, and Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War, from September 19, 2001, to the present, or
• The Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, to the present
Veterans may also soon be eligible for a presumption of service connection for an additional 20 conditions including:
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Constrictive Bronchiolitis or Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Glioblastoma
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Reproductive cancer of any type
Lymphoma cancer of any type
Lymphomatic cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Brain cancer
Melanoma
Pancreatic cancer
H.R.3967 – Honoring our PACT Act of 2021
H.R. 3967 Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 is to improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, and for other purposes.
The PACT Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 17, 2021 by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-41)
Claims & Appeals for Conditions Relating to Exposure to Burn Pits
If you have any signs or symptoms related to the 23 burn pits presumptive conditions listed above, you need to file a VA disability compensation claim immediately. Even if your claim is denied, we can help you appeal the decision until the new regulations go into effect.
If you already have a denied claim that is related to exposure to burn pits, contact us today to protect your original date of claim before your one year appeal period expires. Once the new proposed legislation is passed, your claim(s) should be granted with an effective date from your original application as long as your appeal is still active.