Burn Pits and VA Disability Claims

One of the lesser known hazards that many veterans were exposed to during service in Iraq and Afghanistan is burn pits. Exposure to burn pits may have also happened on the Horn of Africa.

Burn pits were large, open air pits that released toxins into the air that have since been found to contribute to certain medical conditions. With limited research done on the subject to this point, it can be difficult to get a claim approved by the VA at this point. This is why it is so important to get an attorney involved if you feel you may have been negatively affected by exposure to burn pits during your time in the service.

What exactly are military burn pits?

Burn pits are large fire pits that were used by the military to burn off and dispose of military waste. They were most commonly used in Afghanistan and Iraq in the post 9/11 era. The products burned in these pits are cause for concern, as they include paint, chemicals, human waste, metal, aluminum, rubber, plastic and discarded food.

Since burn pits were not contained and instead burned in open air, the spreading of chemical fumes during burning is concerning. Many experts believe that exposure to burn pits can lead to respiratory, cardiovascular, skin and other medical conditions.

I was exposed to burn pits. Am I eligible for disability?

If you were in the military during the Afghanistan and Iraq post 9/11 era and were exposed to chemicals from burn pits, you may be eligible for benefits from the VA. First, you must have a condition that relates to the exposure to burn pits. This may include:

• Skin conditions
• Respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Medical conditions affecting internal organs
• Various types of cancer including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lung, and brain cancer

The first step to receiving benefits is proving that you have a medical condition in the first place. The VA requires a current diagnosis of a medical condition prior to granting benefits. But, the parameters of the condition are very specific and must meet the required criteria.

Attorneys such as the professionals at Tabak Law are able to ensure that the proper medical documentation is submitted to the VA to support a claim for health conditions related to burn pits. Get in touch with the professionals today on this, or other VA related topics, by calling 844-432-0114.