Airborne Hazards and open Burn Pit Registry
What Veterans Need to Know About the Burn Pit RegistryNow Known as the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR)
With the passing of the PACT Act in 2022, veterans are no longer required to register for the VA's Burn Pit Registry. Instead, veterans may apply for a claim based on any presumptive condition.
If you're one of the millions of veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or certain other overseas locations in recent decades, you may have been exposed to toxic smoke from burn pits.
In this article, we'll explain what the registry is, who qualifies, how to sign up, and recent changes made to the program.
What Are Burn Pits and Why Are They Dangerous?
At many military sites in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti and some other locations in the years after 9/11, waste products were disposed of in large open-air "burn pits." All types of refuse were incinerated in these pits, including plastics, medical waste, rubber, chemicals and more.
The smoke from these burn pits contained a toxic mix of pollutants and carcinogens. Many service members were exposed to the fumes for extended periods, sometimes even living and working in close proximity to active burn pits. Exposure has been linked to numerous health problems including respiratory issues, skin conditions, cancers and more.
What is the VA Burn Pit Registry?
Established in 2014, the VA Burn Pit Registry is a secure database where eligible veterans can document their burn pit exposures and related health concerns. It's a voluntary program intended to help the VA track and study the health effects of burn pits over time.
Participating in the registry helps the VA gather data to improve our understanding of burn pit risks. This not only helps you by medically documenting any health issues, but also helps your fellow veterans by advancing research on exposure-related conditions that may warrant new treatments or disability benefits in the future.
How Do I Sign Up for the Burn Pit Registry?
**As of August 1, 2024, the VA has made a number of changes to the burn pit registry. It is now known as the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR). With these changes, registration to the AHOBPR is now automatic. Veterans who were previously enrolled do not need to re-enroll. Veterans who wish to opt-out must complete a form. There is more information available on the VA's site, located here.
How Do I Opt-Out of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR)?
The updates to the burn pit registry made by the VA and effective August 1, 2024 has made enrollment into the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) automatic, and many veterans have be pro-actively enrolled. If you wish to opt-out, you will need to complete the form located here:
https://vethome.va.gov/BurnPitRegistryOptOut/
For more information about the AHOBPR and the adjustments made to this program, check out this page from the VA here.
Benefits of Joining the Burn Pit Registry
By being in the registry, you're also helping all veterans who may have been harmed by burn pit toxins. The data collected helps the VA study the long-term health consequences of exposure. This research can identify new presumptive conditions that make it easier for burn pit veterans to receive disability benefits. It can also lead to new treatments for exposure-related illnesses.
The optional health exam can also be beneficial by screening you for undiagnosed health problems so you can seek treatment early. You may even discover a condition you weren't aware of that makes you eligible for disability benefits right now.
**As of August 1, 2024, the VA has made adjustments to the burn pit registry, and it is now known as the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR). It's mission remains the same, to gather data surrounding veterans exposure to airborne health hazards, but it now has had its participation criteria broadened, enacted clearer opt-out proceedures, and made automatic registration the default. You can learn more about these changes here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp
What to Do if You Have Health Issues from Burn Pits
If you have health problems that you believe are related to burn pit exposure, being in the registry is an important first step, but there are a few other actions you should take:
- Get a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor, either at the VA or with a private physician. At your next check-up you can request a free toxic exposure screening to see if your condition is related to burn pit exposure.
- If your conditions impact your daily functioning, consider filing a disability claim with the VA.
- If you need assistance in appealing a denied VA disability claim and navigating the VA system, contact our team here at Veterans Disability Aid.
Presumptive Conditions Related to Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposure
These are the presumptive conditions outlined on the VA's website, which can be found here:
- 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
- Pancreatic cancer
- Reproductive cancer of any type
- 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
- Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
- Asthma that was diagnosed after service
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
- Granulomatous disease
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
You Fought For Your Country, Let Us Fight for You.
If you're a veteran struggling with burn pit related conditions and your disability claim has been denied, don't lose hope. Appeals are common, and with the right support, you can successfully navigate the process to secure the benefits you deserve. At Veterans Disability Aid, our experienced team is dedicated to guiding you through every stage of the appeals journey. We understand the challenges you face and the importance of obtaining a fair disability rating that accurately reflects the impact of your burn pit related injuries on your daily life. You fought for your country, let us fight for you.