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- 'Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics’ (PACT) Act: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expands healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act provides generations of Veterans – and their survivors
– with care and benefits. Starting March 5, 2024, the VA also expanded its healthcare to millions of Veterans for service years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. File a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA healthcare now by visiting the VA website or calling 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
Service members and Veterans who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan may have been exposed to a range of environmental and chemical hazards that carried potential health risks. There are unique exposures attributed to the following military operations:
Exposures of particular focus during these deployments and others include:
- Warfare Agents: Exposure to chemical and biological weapons during military service have been specifically evaluated and could potentially cause certain health problems in Veterans, depending on several other factors. Types of agents and exposure scenarios and timeframes are described by the VA. This includes certain chemical warfare agent exposure scenarios during OIF, such as the sulfur mustard blister agents or the nerve agent sarin. The likelihood of long-term effects from a single CWA exposure is related to the severity of the signs and symptoms at the time of exposure and how long it took for them to develop.
- Sand, Dust and Particulates: tiny airborne matter that can cause respiratory and other health problems
- Infectious Diseases: nine infectious diseases are associated with military service in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan
- Toxic Embedded Fragments: shrapnel and other metals that remain in the body after injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury: concussions and brain injury often caused by explosions
- Mefloquine (Lariam®): a round, white pill taken to prevent and treat malaria
- Occupational Hazards: from working with chemicals, paints, and machinery during service
- Burn Pits: open-air pit waste disposal at military sites
- Depleted Uranium: uranium used in military tank armor and some bullets
- Noise: harmful sounds from guns, equipment, and machinery
- Rabies: disease transmitted by bite or saliva from an infected warm-blooded animal
- Heat Injuries: health problems that could be caused by extremely hot temperatures
In addition to the exposures list above, certain location-specific events have also been investigated for exposures that may have resulted in short or long terms impacts to specific units. These include:
Additional Sources
NOTE: For VA compensation purposes, Iraq War Veterans with qualifying service are considered Gulf War Veterans
