We Represent Veterans Nationwide. Here Are Reviews From Just a Few Of Our Satisfied Clients:
Burn Pits
Experienced Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Burn Pit Victims!
Noxious Fumes That Disposal Areas Created Have Now Been Linked to a Range of Different Cancers and Respiratory Conditions.
The United States military has long used open-air sites as makeshift waste combustion facilities, more commonly known as burn pits.
The more notable locations for burn pits were Iraq and Afghanistan, however, they’re far from the only places that these burn pits were used.
Since 2001, burn pits have been used in Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Qatar, and many other locations throughout that region of the world.
Most of these sites have now been closed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and any of the remaining locations will soon follow.
Sadly, fumes expelled by these burn pits at these disposal areas have now been linked to several types of cancer and other respiratory diseases and conditions.
Follow Us On Social Media!
What Are Burn Pits?
As their name implies, burn pits are areas of open ground that the United States military would use to dispose of on-site waste.
Some burn pits were the size of a football field, while many others covered acres upon acres of open land.
The distinct types of waste that was burned in these pits includes, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Paint.
• Plastics.
• Rubber.
• Metal.
• Wood.
• Chemicals.
• Food.
• Aluminum Cans.
• Medical Waste.
• Human Waste.
• Petroleum.
• Lubricants.
As these materials burned, they released toxins into the air that affected service personnel in several ways.
As it can take a while for any type of reaction to appear, Veterans may not have realized that they’re suffering from long-term health implications due to these burn pits.
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
If you were sadly exposed to burn pits during your time in the service, you can now join the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR).
By joining this registry, you can provide information to the VA about your experiences with the burn pits themselves – even if you had not had any symptoms or illnesses related to your burn pit exposure, participating in this registry can help the VA understand the long-term effects of burn pits.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to join:
• You do not have to participate in the registry to file a claim, or to be enrolled in VA health care services.
• Any participation in this registry is separate and apart from and cannot negatively impact your ability to receive VA health care or the ability to file a claim.
• You can save and submit your registry questionnaire and notes from the optional health evaluation to support your claim going forward.
• You can still participate in the registry even if you do not remember being exposed to any airborne hazards during your time in the military.
Respiratory Cancers Caused by Burn Pits
Many different respiratory cancers have now been linked to exposure to toxins in burn pits.
In April 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs added the following nine rare respiratory cancers to the presumptive condition list:
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Trachea.
• Adenocarcinoma of the Trachea.
• Salivary Gland-Type Tumors of the Trachea.
• Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Lung.
• Large Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.
• Salivary Gland-Type Tumors of the Lung.
• Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the Lung.
• Typical and Atypical Carcinoid of the Lung.
These cancers are associated with “exposure to fine particulate matter.”
Moreover, the VA also considers “respiratory cancer of any type” to be a presumptive condition of burn pit exposure.
Respiratory cancers are often characterized by a persistent cough, chest pain(s), and shortness of breath, among many other symptoms.
In the case of lung cancer, there are rarely any symptoms in the initial stages.
Burn Pits and Non-Respiratory Cancers
The following cancers have been identified by the VA as presumptive conditions of exposure to toxins from burn pits:
• Brain Cancer.
• Gastrointestinal Cancer.
• Esophageal Cancer.
• Glioblastoma.
• Head Cancer.
• Kidney Cancer.
• Lymphoma.
• Lymphatic Cancer.
• Melanoma.
• Neck Cancer.
• Pancreatic Cancer.
• Reproductive Cancer.
• Breast Cancer.
• Testicular Cancer.
What's The Difference Between Total Disability Based Upon Individual Unemployability (TDIU) & An Extra-Schedular Disability Rating?
Click Here to Head to Our FAQ Page.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today!
If you, or someone you love, is having a tough time with the Department of Veterans Affairs and claiming the benefits needed to sustain a comfortable quality of life, do not wait another minute – contact us today! We are always available by phone at (866) 866-VETS.
Our firm works on contingency, so there are no fees whatsoever unless we win your claim for benefits.
We are accredited to stand for you anywhere within the United States, so even if you cannot make it to one of our many offices, we can still help you along the way.
Once We've Received Your Submission, We Will Reach Out To You. Thanks!
Recent Blog Posts
News: VA Pays $201M to Blue Water Veterans!
For many years, Veterans who served during the Vietnam War have been advocating for the recognition of the detrimental effects of exposure to toxic substances
The Ongoing Battle for Burn Pit Benefits!
For many Veterans who proudly served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the exposure to toxic smoke from burn pits was an unfortunate and unavoidable aspect of
Navigating Tax Season: A Guide for Veterans to Maximize Benefits!
As tax season approaches, many Veterans find themselves overwhelmed and unsure of what benefits they are eligible for. With so many different rules and regulations,
Nephron Recall: What Veterans Need to Know!
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans are now being advised to stop using drugs that were produced by the South Carolina-based company Nephron
VA Mass Hiring Employees to Help with PACT Act Claims!
The Department of Veterans Affairs is expected to continue growing their benefits division’s workforce through the end of the fiscal year, to tackle an influx
News: Major Raises on the Way for Military Members, Retirees, and Veterans!
Major pay raises will be coming into effect in 2023 for both active-duty military members and Veterans. The largest military pay raise in decades is
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Hire You?
It does not cost you anything to hire our Veterans Benefits Law Firm as your attorneys. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe us anything unless we win you an award. Our firm charges 20%, which is deducted by the VA from your lump sum payment for retroactive benefits.
How Long Will It Take To Appeal My Benefits Denial?
While it can take six months or more for a Veteran to receive a decision on his or her initial benefits claim from the Department of Veterans Affairs, appeals could take 2 years of more. The Department of Veterans Affairs lacks the funding to properly staff and process benefits applications. The number of applications from recently returning Veterans must be dealt with while the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to actively work towards providing services to prior generations of Veterans.
How Do I Increase My Disability Rating?
Great question! If the condition that you are actively receiving disability benefits for has now ultimately worsened over time, you can file an increased rating claim. It’s fairly simple, and it involves filing out an online claim form or mailing a letter to your regional office documenting the change in your condition.
View Our Office Locations Below!
All communication with the Department of Veterans Affairs can be conducted remotely; personal appearances are not required.
Our law firm is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist Veterans anywhere across the United States.
Furthermore, our clients do not need to go to a physical location or visit an office to receive our help. If there are any medical visits that are applicable to your claim, you can be seen at a facility that is close to your home. So, no matter where you are, if you need help, we’re here to fight for you the same way that you bravely fought to protect us.
Call us now! (866) 866-VETS.
