Open Burn Pit Health Issues

All veterans who served in eligible locations should include their information in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits Registry. Participation in the registry is very important as it will allow VA to track burn pit exposure and draw inferences regarding associated adverse health effects. Exposure to burn pits may be associated with respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Recently, VA stated that veterans with underlying respiratory conditions may be at greater risk for developing complications related to COVID-19. Service members and veterans who have already signed up for the registry should make sure that their contact information, phone number, address, and email are up-to-date.

Eligible Veterans and service members include those who served in:

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

Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposure to burn pits during military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.