Veterans of the Global War on Terror and Benefits Available

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

Background

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are classified under the umbrella term “Global War on Terror” (GWOT). This international military campaign was launched following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) took place from March 2003 to August 2010;
• Operation New Dawn (OND) occurred from September 2010 to December 2011. This conflict’s operational name was announced in order to reflect the reduced involvement of U.S. troops in Iraq;
• Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) began in October 2001 and ended in December 2014.

Healthcare and Benefits Statistics

Benefits

According to VA’s Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2024, more than 1.6 million Global War on Terror veterans have a service-connected disability, amassing nearly 15.5 million disabilities collectively.

Healthcare

According to a VA study that ran from 2001 to 2013, about 1,724,058 veterans of the Global War on Terror were eligible for VA healthcare, with about 57.9 percent of these veterans actively using VA healthcare.

Veterans from these conflicts often share similar diagnoses. The most common conditions among Global War on Terror veterans accessing VA healthcare are:

• Musculoskeletal ailments affect 59.2 percent (about 1,020,000) of GWOT veterans;
• “Symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions” were diagnosed in 54.7 percent (about 943,000) of GWOT veterans;
• Mental disorders, such as PTSD, affected 55.3 percent (about 953,000) of GWOT veterans.

Global War on Terror-Specific Benefits

Enhanced Healthcare Eligibility

Combat veterans who served under other than dishonorable conditions on or after November 11, 1998 may qualify for an extended period of healthcare eligibility for 5 years after discharge.

Under this program, combat veterans are provided healthcare services and community living care for conditions incurred in-service. Treatment for service-connected conditions are provided to the veteran at no cost.

Expanded Healthcare Eligibility Under the PACT Act

In March 2024, VA expanded healthcare eligibility under the PACT Act, granting access to thousands more GWOT veterans. Under these expansions, any veteran (including GWOT veterans) who meets one of the following criteria can enroll in VA healthcare:

• Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11.
• Veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service.
• Veterans who deployed in support of certain operations after 9/11.
• Veterans who deployed in support of the Global War on Terror.

These expansions also apply to veterans who never deployed but who were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or serving on active duty in the United States.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Global War on Terror veterans who have been discharged under honorable conditions may qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits to help cover education expenses. Veterans who have “at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001” or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days can qualify.

This benefit can pay tuition and fees, housing allowances, a living expenses stipend, and an annual books and supplies stipend to veterans seeking to further their education. More information on the GI Bill can be found in our blog explaining the GI Bill.

Caregiver Assistance

Veterans who have incurred or aggravated a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or psychological trauma, in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 may qualify for VA’s caregiver program.

Qualified veterans must require personal care services or supervision in order to carry out the activities of daily living.

Burn Pit Presumptions Under the PACT Act

During the Global War On Terror, the U.S. military utilized burn pits—massive pits of waste ignited with jet fuel—as a method of disposal of the waste generated by bases. Waste burn includes plastics, paint, medical and human waste, rubber, and more.

Under the PACT Act, VA has recognized over 20 conditions as being connected to burn pit exposure, allowing GWOT veterans to more easily earn VA compensation for these conditions. If a veteran served in the Middle East during the post-9/11 era and went on to develop one of the following conditions, VA may automatically presume the disability is related to their burn pit exposure, greatly simplifying the disability claims process.

Some of these burn pit-related conditions include:

• Asthma diagnosed after service
• Head cancer (of any type)
• Neck cancer (of any type)
• Respiratory cancer (of any type)
• Gastrointestinal cancer (of any type)
• Reproductive cancer (of any type)
• Lymphoma cancer (of any type)
• Lymphomatic cancer (of any type)
• Kidney cancer
• Brain cancer
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Chronic bronchitis
• COPD
• And more

In addition to these PACT Act presumptions, VA has also set up the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry for veterans and service members to “document their exposures and report health concerns.”

Service members and veterans eligible to participate in the Registry are those who served in:

• OIF/OEF/OND;
• Operation Desert Storm or Desert Shield;
• Djibouti, Africa on or after September 11, 2001;
• Southwest Asia Theater of Operations on or after August 2, 1990