The military used burn pits in both Afghanistan and Iraq to dispose of most of their waste. Unfortunately, many hazardous substances and chemicals often ended up in these pits, and nearby servicemembers may have suffered respiratory damage from inhaling toxic fumes. This can leave a veteran with a disabling condition, oftentimes undiagnosed for many years, that may cause disabling conditions or even prevent them from working after discharge.
If you are suffering from a respiratory, heart, skin, or gastrointestinal disorder from being near a burn pit during active-duty service, you may have a valid claim for benefits from the VA. VetLaw’s team of dedicated attorneys can help you understand the requirements for burn pit exposure claims and assist you in the appeals process if you receive a denial from the VA for your veteran burn pit exposure claim.
Hazards Associated with Burn Pits
Burn pits are common on military bases in the Middle East. However, the VA admits that utilizing burn pits is a common practice and that it can have a negative effect on the health of anyone nearby. While the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering Medicine published a report in 2011 attributing ambient pollution as more of a threat than exposure to burn pits, the connection between the latter and certain health risks cannot be ignored.
It is not uncommon for former servicemembers who were exposed to burn pits to experience:
- Skin damage
- Eye damage
- Respiratory infections
- Heart disease
- Gastrointestinal damage
Any of these conditions may qualify a veteran for benefits as long as they are able to link their conditions to their time on active duty. In some cases, such as a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, simply showing that you were on active duty and stationed in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations is enough to prove exposure. With other disabilities, more detailed proof may be needed. A VA-accredited attorney can help veterans make this essential connection in burn pit exposure claims.
Connecting a Condition to Time on Active Duty
It is important to note that in most cases, merely showing that you suffer from one of the aforementioned conditions is not enough to qualify you for VA benefits. Having a disabling condition is only one part of what a former servicemember must prove in order to collect VA disability compensation benefits. For example, it is also crucial to point to a specific incident which took place during your active duty service that led to your current condition.
A veteran can usually refer to their service records for evidence of their base’s use of burn pits for waste disposal. However, some applicants may need to point to specific burn pits utilized by non-military personnel to establish this connection. VetLaw’s team of knowledgeable lawyers can help you gather evidence to validate your burn pit exposure claim.
An Attorney Can Help Appeal A Veteran Burn Pit Exposure Claim Denial
Veterans who were injured while serving the United States military deserve compensation for their disabling conditions, and environmental hazards which lead to diseases or disorders are just as serious as wounds caused by gunfire or explosions. Open burn pits are just one example of the environmental hazards that are inherent to military service, and they have the potential to release millions of particles into the air that can affect your lungs, heart, eyes, and skin.
If these problems continue to affect you after your discharge, you may have the right to VA disability compensation benefits. Contact a VA-accredited lawyer today to learn more about burn pit exposure claims or to file an appeal if you have been denied.
