VETERANS HELP GROUP

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BURN PIT EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The U.S. military frequently disposes of garbage outside the country using burn pits. In essence, it’s a large-scale open-air location for burning solid waste. Chemicals, human waste, food scraps, and rubber are a few examples of garbage that can be burnt.

Burn pits were used as open-air garbage disposal facilities at military locations in the Middle East and Afghanistan after 9/11, releasing a variety of poisons and pollutants into the atmosphere.

Chemicals, human and medical waste, plastics, metals, electronics, and other garbage were burned in burn pits. Veterans sent to these bases have since complained of various ailments and physical conditions that they attribute to exposure to burn pits.

As a veteran, it is often your responsibility to defend the health and welfare of others. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that you don’t lose track of your health due to exposure to toxic or dangerous substances when performing your job. Because the symptoms may not manifest for years after the occurrence, many veterans exposed to burn pits may not even be aware of it.

Here are some symptoms to watch out for if you believe you may be suffering from burn pit exposure.

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

People exposed to the smoke from military burn pits may have short- and long-term health consequences. Exposure specifically can have an impact on a person’s lung health. Some acute symptoms of burn pit exposure are coughing, sore throats, or trouble breathing.

It may be more harmful when smoke travels through the desert air, which is frequently contaminated with allergens and chemicals. Particularly for someone who may be prone to asthma or other respiratory diseases, the sum of these risks can be very high.

Once you are able to breathe clean air again, many of the acute effects of burn pits do eventually go away. Even after exposure to the burn pit has ended, dangerous chemicals may still be present in the person’s lungs.

PULMONARY FIBROSIS

Pulmonary fibrosis is among the most prevalent signs and symptoms of burn pit exposure. Breathing is challenging in this condition because the lungs are injured and scarred. Various factors can bring on pulmonary fibrosis, but one of the most frequent ones is exposure to toxins.

You can notice weight loss, weariness, coughing, and shortness of breath if you have pulmonary fibrosis. Although there is no cure for this ailment, there are therapies that can help you live a better life.

BLISTERING OF NOSE, MOUTH, EARS AND SKINS

You can get skin, nose, mouth, or ear burning if you’ve been around burn pits. This may be quite painful and is brought on by the toxins in the smoke. If you experience any of these signs, you need to consult a doctor immediately.

FATIGUE

A symptom of burn pit exposure might be constant fatigue. One of the most typical burn pit exposure effects is fatigue, which makes it challenging to get through the day. Ask your doctor if exposure to burn pits might be the source of your fatigue if you’re experiencing it frequently. 

BLOOD PROBLEMS (THROMBOCYTOPENIA)

Low blood platelet counts are a symptom of thrombocytopenia. Because platelets are necessary for blood clotting, bleeding may occur more quickly than usual if you have thrombocytopenia. You could also bruise more quickly. Your gums might start bleeding or bruising more quickly than usual. If you have a cut or scrape, it might take longer for the bleeding to stop

How do i know if i have been exposed to burn pits?

Make an appointment with your VA doctor as soon as you start experiencing health issues and inform them that you were exposed to burn pits while serving in the military. They’ll help you and register you with the Burn Pit Registry. You can sign up for the registry even if you are in good health.

The VA established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) in 2014 to examine the health risks of burn pit exposure. The registry is intended to assist in data collection so that researchers may learn more about any potential health implications of burn pits.

You are eligible to join the Burn Pit Registry if you served in:

• Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom
• Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990 Djibouti, Africa, after September 11, 2001

Even if you don’t remember being exposed to burn pit chemicals or have a health concern, you are still allowed to take part. A questionnaire must be completed and submitted to participate.

ELIGIBILITY FOR GETTING VA DISABILITY FOR BURN PIT EXPOSURE

The VA knows that exposure to burn pits can harm one’s health. You might be eligible for benefits and compensation if you were exposed to toxins from burn pits.

You don’t have to meet the burden of evidence to be eligible for benefits if you have:

• Chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and asthma or developed one of these listed conditions within ten years of leaving active military service.

•     On or after September 11, 2001, served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen, or the airspace above any of these conditions, on or after September 11, 2001; or on or after August 2, 1990, served in  Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or the airspace above any of these conditions.
•     Diagnosed respiratory conditions, such as: asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, emphysema, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, and sarcoidosis.

• Diagnosed cancers, including: brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancer of any type, glioblastoma, head cancer of any type, kidney cancer, lymphatic cancer of any type, lymphoma of any type, melanoma, neck cancer of any type, pancreatic cancer, reproductive cancer of any type, or a respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type.

Ask your VA healthcare physician if you are unsure about your eligibility.

DIAGNOSIS OF A DISABLING CONDITION

If you have been diagnosed with a disabling condition that you think was brought on by exposure to burn pits you already have the first step to obtaining VA benefits. Your claim will be supported by medical proof, such as diagnoses, lab results, and doctor remarks.

ESTABLISHING SERVICE CONNECTION

To receive VA disability, you ordinarily need to demonstrate a direct connection between your disabling condition and your military service. However, in burn pit situations, you may be eligible for presumptive service connection, if you can demonstrate you served during one of the locations listed above during the appropriate time period, and that you have been diagnosed with one of the listed conditions.  If your condition is not specifically listed above, you may still prove direct service connection with evidence, such as a medical opinion, proving that your condition was at least equally likely to have been caused by your exposure.

CONCLUSION

Numerous burn pit victims have experienced severe health problems, such as cancer and respiratory conditions.Service members are qualified to submit a claim for healthcare benefits under the terms and resources made available by the Healthcare for Burn Pit Veterans Act, and can submit a claim for compensation under the PACT Act.

Veterans Help Group is committed to assisting veterans around the country in receiving the VA benefits they are entitled to.

Contact us today if you or a loved one is affected by burn pit exposure. We have a team of seasoned Veterans advocates and support workers ready to help you

Like always, you must prove that your condition is service-connected to receive VA disability benefits. Filling a burn pit exposure claim with the VA can be a complex uphill battle. The Veterans Help Group can ensure you’re not alone in this journey. We are a group of advocates for veterans dedicated to helping veterans secure their disability benefits and other benefits they need to improve their quality of life and take care of their families.  Contact us today to learn more!