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VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits
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We have reached capacity for questions for this event and VA will post responses by Sept 8th. For other PACT and burn pit related questions please call 1-800-MyVA411 ( [login to see] ).
Questions will be answered by the following experts:
» Dr. William J Culpepper - Deputy Director, Epidemiology Program, VA
» LTC Peter Rumm MD - Director of Policy, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» FN Shanna Smith-Jackson - Acting DEPDIR, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Daniel Brown - Program Analyst, VA
» Jacqueline Imboden - Special Advisor, Compensation Services, VBA
» Rachel Jones - Assistant Director, Office of Administrative Review, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Terra Vincent - Senior Toxicologist, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Cpl Heather McKibben - Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jamie Statton - Management Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Tara Kase - Senior Management & Program Analyst, Office of Policy & Oversight, VBA
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Questions will be answered by the following experts:
» Dr. William J Culpepper - Deputy Director, Epidemiology Program, VA
» LTC Peter Rumm MD - Director of Policy, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» FN Shanna Smith-Jackson - Acting DEPDIR, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Daniel Brown - Program Analyst, VA
» Jacqueline Imboden - Special Advisor, Compensation Services, VBA
» Rachel Jones - Assistant Director, Office of Administrative Review, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Terra Vincent - Senior Toxicologist, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA
» Cpl Heather McKibben - Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jamie Statton - Management Program Analyst, Office of Policy and Oversight, VBA
» Tara Kase - Senior Management & Program Analyst, Office of Policy & Oversight, VBA
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Burn Pits
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
VA Claim
Responses: 198
I retired Oct. 1, 2005, and had an oopherectomy in Jan 2007 because cysts were found on my ovaries. I’m a breast cancer survivor (dx 2004) and the cysts were a cancer concern due to my BC diagnosis. I was denied disability benefits for the oopherectomy. I was told if I had gotten cancer I would have gotten benefits. I had several abnormal pap smears while on active duty after serving in Desert Shield and Storm. I didn’t appeal the denial. But with the passage of PACT, I’m wondering if I can refile. I’m losing sleep over this. If I can refile, I will need to know what steps to take. Thank you for taking questions and I will do everything in my power to join the Sept. 8 discussion.
show previous comments
SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM
CPL Paula James Thanks
PFC Sylvia Porter
I too having issues w/BC I was at Desert Storm and they are still denying my cancer had nothing to do w/the burn pit I will try the VFW; for women BC is not listed as part of the study but male penial is listed so figure
MSgt Dee Ann P.
PFC Sylvia Porter - I was dx with BC while on active duty. They kept me an extra nine months to treat it. Do you know any women who were dx after service that you can reach out to? They may have some helpful tips. Good luck!!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot speak to your specific claim situation in this forum due to privacy issues. If we denied your claim in the past but we now consider your condition presumptive, we encourage you to file a Supplemental Claim. We’ll review the claim again. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] so we may provide individual assistance or schedule an appointment to speak with someone at VERA - Home (force.com). For more information on the PACT Act and how you can apply for benefits, see VA.gov/PACT.
What is the criteria for hypertension under Agent Orange presumptive diseases?
Thanks.
brad
Thanks.
brad
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits if you meet both of these requirements:
(1) You have a health condition that’s caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and
(2) You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange
We determine eligibility based on the facts of each Veteran’s claim. VA will assume (or "presume”) that hypertension is caused by Agent Orange exposure. And we assume that Veterans who served in certain locations were exposed to Agent Orange. We refer to this as presumptive exposure. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension and served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange we encourage you to file a claim now.
For more information on VA disability benefits based on Agent Orange exposure please visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/. We also encourage you to visit VA’s PACT Act website at https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/. Veterans can utilize links on the site to submit claims, and address any questions to maximize their entitlement related to the act’s recent passage.
(1) You have a health condition that’s caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and
(2) You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange
We determine eligibility based on the facts of each Veteran’s claim. VA will assume (or "presume”) that hypertension is caused by Agent Orange exposure. And we assume that Veterans who served in certain locations were exposed to Agent Orange. We refer to this as presumptive exposure. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension and served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange we encourage you to file a claim now.
For more information on VA disability benefits based on Agent Orange exposure please visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/. We also encourage you to visit VA’s PACT Act website at https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/. Veterans can utilize links on the site to submit claims, and address any questions to maximize their entitlement related to the act’s recent passage.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Your health care provider would have diagnosed your condition and noted it in your medical record. Hypertension may range from mild to severe. Mild cases may have blood pressures of 140/90 and require relatively little medication, changes in diet and or exercise. Severe cases may require the Veteran to be on multiple medications and have shown damage to the body, such as the heart or kidneys. If you have diagnosed hypertension, VA encourages you to submit a claim. If you do not know your status, you should see your healthcare provider and find out if this is an issue for you. Thank you for writing and serving our nation.
Firstly, I appreciate this Q&A forum. One of the presumptive conditions included in the PACT ACT is "brain cancer," an exceptionally broad condition. I'm assuming this includes Schwannomas such as a Vestibular Schwannoma (aka: Acoustic Neuroma), a rare brain tumor. Not to get personal, but I have unilateral hearing loss (deaf), tinnitus, etc. associated with this type of tumor. I'm most interested in what constitutes "brain cancer" before proceeding with a claim. Schwannomas are often benign, but brain tumors nonetheless, that unfortunately result in residual disabilities. Any clarification appreciated. I'm hoping this information benefits other veterans and active service members exposed to burn pits and/or other environmental toxins, and dealing with brain tumors.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act establishes presumptions of service connection for broad categories of conditions related to exposure to burn pits and certain other toxins. Even if you're not sure if your specific condition is covered under the PACT Act, VA encourages you to file a claim now and we will make the determination when we review your claim.
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