Winston-Salem Veteran Chemical and Toxic Exposure Disability Claims
A major contributor to veterans’ health complications is exposure to toxic chemicals and other dangerous substances during active duty military service, such as those covered by Winston-Salem veteran chemical and toxic exposure claims. This exposure can occur on the battlefield, while travelling overseas, or while on base. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers compensation to former servicemembers who suffer from adverse health conditions attributed to toxic chemical exposure.
An experienced lawyer from our firm can help you pursue Winston-Salem veteran chemical and toxic exposure claims if you have already been met with a denial from VA. We can also assist you with filing a Supplemental Claim for benefits and advise you on potential challenges in the disability claims process.
Associated Health Problems
Active duty military service can expose servicemembers to a wide variety of dangerous substances. Anything from a cleaning solvent to an open burn pit can cause a servicemember to inhale toxic fumes. These incidental instances can have a dramatic impact on a veteran’s overall health.
While the exact symptoms associated with chemical and toxic exposure varies on a case-by-case basis, there are some common fact patterns surrounding these claims in Winston-Salem. For example, a servicemember who inhales these substances may experience debilitating lung diseases resulting in a variety of symptoms such as asthma, infection, sleep apnea, and cancer.
Furthermore, chemicals that come into contact with the eyes or mouth could affect the blood and other internal organs. Examples of health conditions associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the military include:
- Blindness or other vision problems
- Skin irritations or burns
- Neurological damage
- Heart damage
- Kidney or liver failure
- Headaches
- Sleep apnea
- Cancer
Presumptive Exposure
Some instances of toxic exposure in the military are so well-documented that some applicants automatically qualify for disability compensation. In these circumstances, a former servicemembers only needs to prove that they served active duty in certain locations in order to claim benefits.
For example, a veteran suffering from Gulf War Syndrome is entitled to presumptive service condition for the medically unexplained chronic multisymptomatic illness or illnesses including symptoms such as chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders including IBS, Fibromyalgia, and certain cardiovascular disease. The exact cause of these conditions is unknown, but a veteran who experiences them after serving in the Middle East may automatically qualify for disability benefits.
Additionally, Agent Orange is a herbicide that was used during the Vietnam War era, lasting from 1967 through 1975. However, it is now known that exposure to Agent Orange can cause several types of cancer and heart disease. A VA-accredited attorney from VetLaw’s team can help a veteran appeal a denied claim for disability compensation based on these and other chemical and toxic exposure in the military.
An Attorney Can Help Pursue Winston-Salem Chemical and Toxic Exposure Claims
Exposure to toxic chemicals is a constant threat to any member of the United States military. When veterans return home, they may suffer from a variety of diseases and mental health conditions as a result of being exposed to dangerous substances.
Working with a VA-accredited attorney can improve your chances of collecting disability benefits. We can help you identify specific instances during your active duty service which indicate your exposure to hazardous materials.
You may automatically qualify for benefits under the Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, and other presumptive disability programs. Contact one of our lawyers today to learn more about filing and appealing Winston-Salem veteran chemical and toxic exposure claims.
