President Biden has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding benefits to veterans who have developed certain respiratory cancers because of their links to exposure to toxic burn pits.
The VA confirmed they are adding nine burn pit-related respiratory cancers to the list of military service-connected disabilities.
The move will make victims eligible for veterans benefits.
In his announcement, Biden stated: “In my State of the Union address, I announced that we would propose expanding disability and health benefits to veterans suffering from nine rare respiratory cancers. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is delivering on that promise and upholding that sacred obligation to the women and men who have worn the uniform of our country.”
The nine cancers being added to the list are:
- 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
VA will begin processing disability compensation claims for Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001, to the present.
Any Veteran who has or had one of the listed cancers at any time during or after separation from military service may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. VA will contact impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply.
via U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Biden has previously said he suspected burn pits to be the cause of his son’s brain cancer that led to his death.
“We don’t know for sure if a burn pit was the cause of [Beau’s] brain cancer, or the diseases of so many of our troops,” Biden said. “But I’m committed to finding out everything we can.”
This article originally appeared on USMilitary.org and has been republished with permission.
Veterans who rely on the VA for full medical care should also receive dental care. Only those who are 100% disabled and/or who’s disability is dental related receive dental care. Health care professionals agree poor oral health can have a significant negative effect on overall health. Neglecting oral health can contribute to a myriad of health problems including bacterial pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer. H.R. 96 authorizing the VA to provide dental care to all veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system died before being passed. Now POTUS and VA are ignoring the need for complete and comprehensive medical care.
Thanks america
How about us non-combat vets in the 70’s that trained, served, and had to live in old WWII era barracks full of asbestos? My lung problems are all diagnosed by VA, still no compensation. SAD!!!
I ended up getting an attorney. The RO will continue to dent at every opportunity
I was in charge of Burn Pits in Vietnam, 65, 67, for my Artillery Battery; had to burn unused
power bags following a fire mission. (Echo Battery 2nd Battalion 12th Marines, Dong Ha Vietnam)
A lot of health issues developed over the years, but, was told last week by the VA that I am
not eligible for any compensation.
The Regional VA office is going to re apply.
I will keep you posted if I get any where with the VA in Chicago.
Semper Fi to all who served.
Tom
Go to the American Legion.
When I spent all of 1970 in Vietnam, I spent much time on 4 different bases in all 4 corps of the country. Every base had numerous burn pits for garbage, human waste and the smell of rotten eggs was constant all day. Joe O’Biden wanted Beau to go down in history as the guy who helped start “The Burn Pit” help medical clause.
As usual the Vietnam veteran is still the Forgotten ones. We will always be the last on the list because that was an unpopular War I guess they’re just waiting for the rest of us to die off. Most of us in Vietnam was exposed to all kinds of chemicals including the burn pits most units and companies had to burn pits near the barracks where we burned trash and human waste damn near 24/7 now most of that stuff on the list I’ve never even heard of before that’s probably why they listed it as rare but what about those of us that was exposed to those burn pits and are barely able to breathe now. I guess we’ll never know as long
Same here James. Vietnam service 1968-1969. Exposed to Agent Orange, Burn Pits contamination plus a million other agents plus the horrors of combat. I was only 19 then, now suffering the consequences. The only one in my family with all kinds of illnesses. I guess in their infinite wisdom chemicals only affected people after Desert Storm ?
I was in Iraq in early 2002. I was hit by an IED, transcected artery, TBI, I was back out on the line 6 days later. Only to stay in that hell hole for a total of 13months. We had to burn all our shit. Sleeping in the same buildings we pulled bodies out before. I think we had it good compared to our Brothers who gave everything in Nam and got no kinda warm welcome as we did. Who got no love after they gave it all out there in the jungle. I wish there was something I could do for you guys. All i can do is say i can only just begin to know what you are goin thru barely begin! I had 9 KIA’s by the time i was 20. My wife cheated left me and found someone else, we were told 90 days tops. 13 months later. My daughters in school in a different co. I was stationed overseas so she went back home. So I was alone the rest of my tour. Still im here to say i have nothing but RESPECT and I wished it could’ve been different for you guys!! You, and your negative experiences were what made us be able to come home to such a loving USA. I got nothing but love for you guys! If i had any kinda pull or power i would do everything to see your guys words and stories get heard! Thank you for you service!!!!
Oh my desert storm Veteran, I served as a combat medic and Desert Storm Desert shield. During the war who expose two weeks at a time burning or wells continuously and yes we had to burn early feces and trash constantly and works post to many other things to include the pills they were giving us for biological chemical warfare. A lot of us have side effects, as for me i. I have an auto immune disease degenerative joint throughout my body excruciating pain I am being treated for it but I know your pain.
I applied for benefits for the burn pit issue before it came out, I haven’t heard anything in over a year from the VA .
I’m wondering if I should get a lawyer or contact the VA again which I’ve contact them several times already.
This past year.
Sincerely
US combat medic
storm/Shield
Robert De Los Santos
I contacted Legal Help For Veterans (800) 693-4800 to get back disability pay.
They may be able to help you out.
Yes, an attorney. They will review your case free
Alvin, I was station at two Airforce bases. One was Shemya Airforce Base from 1967 to 1968, 13 months. And station at Norton Airforce Base for two years. Both of those bases have shut down due to chemical issues and bad drinking water. I an having all kinds of health problems after leaving the service. Kidney failure, Chronic Headaches and Neurologiccal Disorder.
Hello Alvin, I too was exposed to chemicals in Viet Nam from 1969 to 1971 (Agent Orange). I am totally disabled as a result. I have Cronic Peripheral Neuropathy. I have lost the use of both legs and have only about 5%use of my hands. The VA gives me great health care.,
They have provided me with mobility chairs and pretty much anything I need. My disease has not been recognized as a service connected. Life goes on. Thank you for your service.
From 1963 to 1969 I served Active Duty in the US Navy, and two years at Port Hueneme on PT Boats and YFU Boats. At times on shore, we had to serve Nigh Watches (Security Watches) patrolling the docks where the boats were tied up and also along the Boat House and other buildings. So, we had to maintain Security Logs. At time I would just fall asleep writing in the logs while thinking what to write about night watches. One time I was reported falling asleep on watch and had to be brought up on a Captain Mass. Found guilty of sleeping on watch. Had to serve two weeks extra duty. My question is back in the 1960’s no one knew about SLEEP APNEA. In 2011 I was found to have SEVERE AGGRAVATED SLEEP APNEA. Can I be compensated by the Military for being punished for a MEDICAL SICKNESS that I had instead of being almost Court Martialed for Medical Issues.
If you can show that it is service related. However, you will need more than showing you went to sleep on guard duty a long time ago.
Why should any veteran have to seek legal help to get anything done by the VA? The VA has some good points, well a few, but needing legal help to get something a veteran has earned is as ridiculous as buying oil from Iran.
Totally agree with your post. Also their job should be that of trying to get you the help, equipment and compensation the veteran so dearly needs.
I asked about increasing my DR. VA sent me a pack of papers with vague instructions. Might as well have been written in Greek.
Yesterday congress passed a bill that will hire 87,000 new IRS agents. What if they had hired 87,000 VA Support Center Counselors who’s sole job was to help vets fill out paperwork and help them get what they deserve.
There is a person who is helping me a the DAV. Have you tried those people?
I agree I had liver problems caused by my high creatinine level more almost a year or more but I was never referred to a vascular surgeon. I filed a claim when I found out the artery was blocked going into the right kidney by an vascular surgeon out side the VA.my claim was disapproved after I filed .
file again do not give up, I know it is hard and time consuming but, in the end, it is worth it. I am a Gulf War vet exposed to chemicals and burn pits the VA has been great with my treatment. You have a few that don’t give a damn but, those others will fight tooth and nail to get you the help you need.
I agree with you 100% Pete I thought the VA for almost 50 years. Every single claim I turned in was denied they finally gave me a rating and denied every other claim that was turned in the one main claim I’m still fighting I was involved in a rollover accident on duty after I came back from Vietnam I’ve had problems with my lower back ever since yet the VA still denies it but they turn around and give me 70% for PTSD but they pay me at the 100% for unemployability. It was not the money I was after it was the fact that I am unemployable because of the PTSD and the lower back entry. Even then I still do not get my full benefits so yeah why should I have to get a lawyer to get the benefits that I earned
Do not use Vet Law in DC. They do not listen to you and file the wrong things and will screw things you!
There is clearly a bundle to know about this. I believe you made various good points in features also.
Disabled Veterans of Ft MCCLELLAN has been one of the most ignored cases in the last 30 years when it comes to toxic exposure. It seems like they never existed
“The invisible soldiers of toxic exposures “
Mc CLELLAND is probably the most toxic Ever !!!
I definitely agree with you. I was there in 1975. They deliberately leave us out.
I agree 100%!!! I was stationed at Ft. McClellan, Alabama for my WAC (Women’s Army Corps) Basic Training in Sept. 1977. I was on this toxic military base for 8 weeks drinking the contaminated water, rolling in the contaminated soil during PT & bivouac.
Ft. McClellan is toxic due to various chemical leakage. One of them being AO (Agent Orange). I believe radiation is also involved too. It was closed down in 1999. Thousands of soldiers & their loved ones have been exposed. Many have died from strange illnesses or diseases. The civilian town of Anniston outside of Ft. McClellan, Alabama were compensated. None of our soldiers have been taken care of!
I had breast cancer in 2016. There is NO history of breast cancer in my family. I do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs. I lost both of breasts! My VA hospital surgeon stated I had to have a bilateral mastectomy (surgical removal of both breasts) to save my life.
I applied to the VA several years ago for my breast cancer & I was denied! Why do the U.S. Marines get VA help & benefits due to Camp Lejeune toxic exposure? Do we not all serve together in the U.S. military? The branch or military base should not matter! We all served! We all deserve to be taken care of. Where is the justice????
I agree with you I served in the M.C. and stationed at camp Lejeune for 51/2 years and va told I don’t have to do anything, I have a lots of issues with my bones and joints, difficulties when swallow and still saying is not related.
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WHAT!?!? YOU DIDNT KNOW THE BENEFITS OF A VA HOME LOAN? ILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE,(KEEP READING IF YOU CARE OR DARE). Theres a little clause in a va home loan….if your home goes to auction because of a forclosure….(stay with me here), the va gets to tell your mortgage company the maximum amount they can bid!!!! Which means when no one bids higher than that amount,(here is the BIG BENEFIT!!!) THE DAMN VA SWOOPS IN TO BUY YOUR PRIDE AND JOY FOR THAT LOW LOW PRICE!!! THATS RITE, THE PLACE YOUVE PAID ALL YOUR MONEY YOU RECIEVE IN COMPENSATION FOR GETTING BLOWN UP IN COMBAT AND LIVING OFF OF MRE’S AND MISSING THE BIRTH OF YOUR ONLY CHILD SO U CAN ADD FREEDOM TO ANOTHER NATION…….THE VA GETS IT IF LIFE LEAVES YOU UNABLE TO PAY YOUR MORTGAGE FOR A FEW MONTHS!! Now if that doesn’t sound beneficial, well you better just go back to school. A few of you might say, ” but hey! I’m guaranteed a free and competitive auction so as to make sure its sold for nothing less than what I’ve made my house worth through thousand of hours of my hard work sweat and blood and sinking every penny of my disability money into this thing!? NO, NOPE, UH AND NOPE. SO as you might guess, I recieved no help from the VA when I informed them that my loan servicer was selling my loan to a company with a bad reputation for taking people’s homes without offering proper alternatives, even though the va has to approve the transfer of any va loan they said nothing they could do and I begged them please dont let this company take my loan. Well I’m not gonna give up yet there are many legitimate reasons I should be able to keep my home so I will continue. If anyone knows a real person that can help or if anyone wants info on how to keep yourself out of this situation 7079513832.
Thanks for your time and consideration
———nothing follows———————
Please tell me what loan company this is so I can be weary of doing business with them. I’m with Penny Mac now, it transferred from Veterans United. It’s a damn shame us vets that saw combat for our country can’t be compensated for the horrors of war and the opening of capitalism for a third world country.
Call your Congressman or woman! They can help and it’s their job to do so.
Try calling the White House VA hotline (202) 456-1414 and contacting the VA Inspector General 1 (800) 488-8244 https://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/default.asp in addition to your elected officials at the national level especially during their election year.
Discharged June ’64. Early ’65 started seeing a Civilian doctor for a “growth” on my neck and having a hard time with breathing & loosing weight He was no help so my Dad (Army) physically took me to VA.
An hour later scheduled for Thyroid surgery…Cancerous. (At that time we didn’t know about AO issues) I’ve filed 3 times & still hit a brick wall. I occasionally served on a river BOAT in Nam. They keep asking me name of SHIP. Can’t get them to understand you can put a BOAT on a SHIP, but not a SHIP on a BOAT!!
John, call Berry law firm at 888-883-2483, and see if the can help you. Good look
Contact a local Disabled American Veterans office if you can. Pray this helps.
https://www.dav.org/
I remember doing the burn pit detail was not fun.
I’m on the registry also. I wonder what kind of future surprises I’ll recieve from the shit hole I was stuck in
Just a show!
After a year I still can not get my military record.
Me either … Plus 2 years …
.
I have been try to get my SRB for over ten years!
Sharon Davenport
The president of the United States has to approve Gulf War Military Records to be released, because of top secrets missions. Hope this help. MS
The president of the United States has to approve Gulf War Military Records to be released, because of top secrets missions. Hope this help. MS
I remember being in charge of the shit burning detail FB Stinson.LOL
Yeah, I remember that too
I was on a lot of shit burning details Korea , shouldn’t we be looked at also?
did the same in NAM do we get anything
I was in the jungles of Vietnam for a year. I lost two toes of Cancer, Melanoma which is also not on the list of problems due to Agent Orange. I was told my Melanoma was definitely was from Vietnam. My melanoma was from the War, yet the VA will not address the issue. The doctors claimed my condition was very rare and caused from Vietnam.
It is bullshit that they have not given you the AO benefit. I am fighting for mine from being aboard the USS Halsey which is on the list and all they do is keep denying it.
I was on the Halsey also in 1969 and have thyroid issues.
Have your doctor write you a NEXUS letter that states your condition was do to you tour of duty in Nam!
One Parasite that has not been approved is Liver Fluke. A parasite that attacks the liver, which was in Vietnam War. Why has this not added to the list. Its killing many Vietnam vets.
I was 17 when I joined the US Air Force. I was a medic. My first two years were working in Labor n Delivery n Newborn Nursery. This was in the 70’s, before Universal Precautions were implemented. I had to mouth suction the newborns eyes, ears nose n throat with a suction delee, a device that captures the amniotic fluids in a little bottle while using mouth suction. It is known that women have HPV in their vaginas, hence the PAP smears routinely done for female physicals. I was diagnosed with HPV squamous cell cancer of my tonsil n tongue many years later after my discharge. I was denied my claim because I was not diagnosed with HPV Human Papilloma Virus before I was honorably discharged. There is no PAP smear tests done on men, nor is there any HPV test done on men that I know of. I did not have any symptoms of any kind at the time. I was treated for the cancers, but still have many side effects left from the radiation n chemo, Weak joints, fatigue, osteoarthritis n stenosis of my spine, but yet they contend I must have contracted it sexually!!! As though I was totally promiscuous and have had a multitude of partners by the age of 17!!! I joined the military to escape living in poverty at the time!!! But according to the VA, I was a Cassanova, a veritable Don Juan, wining n dining women and having sex like Rasputin at the age of 17!!! And I have documentation to prove how one can get infected by using a suction delee. On conclusion I came away with is the VA panel who make these decisions must have feces (shit) for brains…
Thank you Dan for your service. As a Vietnam vet we know beauracratic and incompetent our goverment is. . .
I’m rated at 60% because of AO and I have Chronic Heart Disease. I had my right Kidney removed because of cancer and I am now considered to have Chronic Kidney Disease. I’ve submitted my paperwork to the VA to try to get a higher rating. VA has denied my request, saying that when I left the service…..I WASN’T DIAGNOSED WITH KIDNEY CANCER, so therefore my request is denied”.
We the few: serving the many thankless, appreciate the table scraps and like a good dog we retreat to our corner when the work is done and die quietly as not to offend the buffered citizen.
God forbid the public acknowledgement they’ve failed their end of the bargain.
Ever conflict is fought by those foolish enough to think its honorable to serve and then duped into belief it matters to someone. In the end we all get lied to, under appreciated and we will continue to pass on the legacy to our children’s children.
Bark! Woof!
VA loan programs are nothing but a refinance based on equity you have. I have that offer us what we don’t have.
They should pay our house off i been through three refinances and I see no help.
Same situation here. I am selling my home (VA Loan) to move into a handicap friendly home and am getting no where with a new VA loan, Bunch of paperwork and hogwash now. Ridiculous. I will find myself homeless in a short time. So much for our veteran benefits..
I did not see anything about the Ft.McClellan Toxic Waste Exposure as stated in H.R. Bill 3967 Section 703 passed by the The House. We were exposed to contaminated soil and water due chemicals leaking into the soil. Camp Legume got it. The town of Anniston won their law suit what are we soldiers who were stationed from 1955-1991 nothing but trash? We don’t count? When are we going get our day? We have health issues too.
Exactly. I was at Ft McClellan also. Since I’ve been diagnosed with stage three gleason 8 prostate cancer, chronic lung disease and am on 3 liters of oxygen, chronic heart disease, nerve damage and that’s just some of the issues. And the “VA” claims there’s nothing they can do or will do. Agent Orange they say is a meth so why did they send 16 years ( 1999-2015 ) cleaning Ft McClellan up. There are three words the VA has to skip over Vietnam and Agent Orange.
The v.a.is a joke you try to get anything done they make you jump through hoops and loopholes until you either give up and quit trying or die , that’s why I can no longer trust a politician or pretty much anyone in the government but I still love this country
Amen brother..keep pushing brother.
I buried Agent Orange in Okinawa, we were the main area to ship it while you were allowed. PP&P Camp Foster.. I reported it to all my superiors. I was told we could no longer fly it off the island, I was then told to bury it. I have lots of problems, osteoarthritis, copd, large cysts appear on my groin, above my eye, and neck and back. Some were the size of 2 goofballs.
I think this new law about burn pit is about time our President is doing something. In 1968, I burned human waste in Vietnam. I didn’t have any cancer symptoms until 50 something years had past. All my BROTHERS AND SISTERS thank you for your service.
I have been fighting the Va for 100% disability for 20 years. In Hawaii after being stuck at 10% for years, I was helped by Sen. Daniel Inouye to get 80 %. I have at least 9 of the 14 side effects from Agent Orange and they keep telling me not service connected. Pure BS.
I need to know if the Veterans Administration is aware that Veterans that have received a mobility van for their disabilities have no vehile insurance that will cover their vehicles if they are every involved in a vehicle accident and the vehicle will have to be in the shop for repairs. The insurance company will not pay yo get a replacement mobility van so the Veterans would be able to make appointments or other necessity travel. 🤔🤔 ” Why”
When will the current administration recognize the importance and impact of providing dental care to all veterans receiving their healthcare through the VA? Health care professionals agree poor oral health can have a significant negative effect on overall health. Neglecting oral health can contribute to a myriad of health problems including bacterial pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer. The current provision to provide dental services only to those veterans who have either a 100% disability rating or a service-connected dental disability directly requiring dental care and treatment falls short. The VA is ignoring the need for complete and comprehensive medical care — to include routine dental care along with restorative and corrective care for those veterans who are not 100% disabled and who’s disability is not dental related and also rely on the VA for full medical care..
I agree 100 %. The dental requirements are a bunch of BS.
Hey, you are right. I too need dental coverage. I am rated at 90% but it’s next to impossible to get a 10-point elevation in rating.
call legal help for veterans and they work hard for you. if you have a case, they will fight for you.. they only get paid 20% if you get paid.. very helpful for me
You are absolutely right..Besides all of the things you mentioned, don’t forget about self esteem and depression. Most ppl are VERY self conscious about how their teeth look. How is this not a problem? The VA is really not for the veterans. Dental coverage for ALL vets is a no brainier.
All VA Mortgage companies are not in the Veterans Best Interest. Being a 100% disabled veteran does not help at all, Nor does a Purple Heart. As a first time home buyer that paid $22.000.0” up front to later find out that less than $7,000.00 went toward the purchase of the house. Are there any help for us?
WTF??? So where did the other $15,000 go??
You need to get your paperwork and look at it as a disabled veteran you don’t have to put anything down unless you are buying points for a lower interest rate.