Common VA Disabilities for Post-9/11 (OEF & OIF) Veterans

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are classified under the umbrella term “Global War on Terror.” This international military campaign was launched following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Since the beginning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, over 1.9 million U.S. military personnel have been deployed in the conflict.

OIF took place in Iraq from March 2003 to August 2010, while OEF began in October 2001 and continues to the present day in Afghanistan. Both Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans who served in OIF and OEF may have been exposed to environmental and chemical hazards during their service that have resulted in long-term injuries and illnesses.

What Kinds of Exposures Did OEF and OIF Veterans Experience?

Particulate Matter

Particulate matter is a mixture of small particles and liquid droplets made up of a number of compounds, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil/dust particles.

Two sizes of particles pose a health concern – those with a diameter of 10 microns (PM10) or smaller and those with a diameter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and smaller – as they generally pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs.

OEF and OIF veterans were also exposed to pollution, dust, sand, and other airborne particles because of the environment in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ingestion of this matter can contribute to respiratory conditions as well as irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

Depleted Uranium

The military used depleted uranium in Iraq and Afghanistan for both offensive and defensive purposes. For example, tanks had a layer of depleted uranium armor to increase protection, and it was also used in ammunition rounds.

The primary forms of exposure occur through ingestion or inhalation, and the amount of depleted uranium retained in the body depends on the amount of exposure. Exposure to depleted uranium could potentially lead to long-term health effects, including various cancers (e.g., lung, kidney).

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An estimated 10 to 20 percent of OEF and OIF Army and Marine Corps service members have sustained mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that has been associated with various long-term health outcomes.

According to a 2009 study of 303,905 soldiers and Marines, 19.1 percent of troops returning from Iraq and 11.3 percent of those returning from Afghanistan reported mental health problems compared with 8.5 percent of those returning from deployments elsewhere.

TBI are likely more common among OEF and OIF veterans because of their proximity to explosions during the wars caused by improvised explosive devices (IED). Immediate symptoms of TBI can include:

• Confusion
• Temporary memory loss
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness

Long-term symptoms can involve chronic headaches and neck pain, chronic fatigue, light and noise sensitivity, blurred vision, depression, etc.

In relation to this, another troubling consequence of OEF and OIF deployment is the increase in the number of suicides reported in soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since the start of the conflicts. Resources for immediate help are available at the end of this article.

Infectious Diseases

OEF and OIF veterans were potentially exposed to various infectious diseases while serving on active duty, including, but not limited to:

• Malaria — An infectious disease with symptoms that include persistent fevers, sweats, and chills.
• Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever) — A bacterial disease with symptoms that include nausea, diarrhea, fevers, and severe headaches. Heart inflammation may occur in chronic cases.
• Brucellosis — A bacterial disease in which symptoms manifest as chronic profuse sweating and joint and muscle pain.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis — A bacterial lung disease in which symptoms appear in the form of fevers, weight loss, persistent and sometimes bloody coughing, and chest pain.
• West Nile virus — A mosquito-borne virus that includes symptoms of headache, fevers, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain or weakness.

Mishraq State Sulfur Mine Fires (OIF Only)

In June of 2003, a fire ignited at the Mishraq State Sulfur Mine Plant near Mosul in northern Iraq. The fire burned for almost a month, becoming the largest manmade sulfur fire in recorded history.

It released roughly 42 million pounds of sulfur dioxide per day, as well as a significant amount of hydrogen sulfide. Field samples of air in the vicinity of the fire detected these toxic gases at levels immediately dangerous to health and life. As such, OIF service members involved with fighting this fire became at risk for negative health-related outcomes.

Hexavalent Chromium

From approximately April through September of 2003, about 830 service members guarded a water treatment facility in the Basrah oil fields at Qarmat Ali, Iraq. Service members included National Guard, Reserve, and active duty soldiers, mainly from Indiana, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Oregon. During that time, sodium dichromate, a source of hexavalent chromium, was found on the ground and in the air.

Hexavalent chromium, or Chromium VI, in sodium dichromate is a lung carcinogen. Chromium VI is also an acidic compound that causes immediate irritation to the eyes, nose, sinuses, lungs, and skin.

Roughly 137 service members were evaluated once exposure was realized. The results showed abnormalities such as complaints of eye, nose, throat, and/or lung irritation, or abnormal pulmonary function, kidney, or liver tests.

Think Your Disability May Be Linked to Exposures in OEF or OIF?

Overall, OEF and OIF veterans may have been exposed to any number of hazardous factors with health effects ranging from skin, nose, and eye irritations to more severe problems such as respiratory diseases and even death.

If VA denied your claim for a disability connected to your service in OEF or OIF, the experienced team at CCK Law may be able to help you appeal your claim.

Need Immediate Help? Reach Out to the VA Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line is a 24/7 resource available to veterans, service members, and their family members and friends. For immediate assistance, use the confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service.

There are several ways veterans can access the Veterans Crisis Line:

• Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
• Send a text message to 838255.
• Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
• Locate a VA facility in your area.
• If you are an active duty service member, guardsman, or reservist, visit MilitaryCrisisLine.net.