Burn Pit Locations
Burn pits were a standard part of the U.S. military’s waste disposal protocol in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. While the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, burn pits emitted plumes of toxic smoke.
This was problematic since the smoke would spread away from the burn pits into nearby communities and military camps, polluting the air and causing a range of illnesses.
Some conditions associated with burn pits include:
- Respiratory conditions
- Respiratory cancers
- Multiple forms of leukemia and lymphoma
- Autoimmune diseases
- Heart conditions
- Other cancers affecting the brain or internal organs
- And more.
PACT Act Toxic Exposure Presumption
Following the passage of the PACT Act, 23 of these conditions are now recognized as presumptive to toxic exposure. These conditions have been added to the presumptive list for “covered veterans,” who are defined as one of the following:
- A veteran who, on or after August 2, 1990, performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station in, including air space above:
- Bahrain
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- United Arab Emirates
- A veteran who, on or after September 11, 2001, performed active military, naval, air, or space service, while assigned to a duty station, including the airspace above:
- Afghanistan
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Syria
Our Process
Every case is unique. At CCK, our clients benefit from our collaborative approach to practicing law. We work to ensure that every client gets the individualized care and attention they deserve.
We will gather information about your case
Each client has their own dedicated team of advocates who will be in close communication with you throughout your case.
Based on your unique circumstances, your team will work with you to formulate the strongest possible strategy for your case.
Did VA Deny Your Burn Pit-Related Disability Claim?
VA has created a Burn Pit Registry where veterans can document exposure and report any burn bit-related symptoms, but it has not established a presumption for veterans exposed to burn pits. Since there is no presumption, VA adjudicates burn pit compensation claims on a case-by-case basis.
VA does not have a consistent approach to deciding these claims, and veterans are often denied disability benefits for burn pit exposure.
If VA denied your claim, CCK may be able to help. We can fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Dedicated Support on Your Side
At CCK, we know each case is different. That is why we carefully review the details of your claim and develop a personalized strategy.
Our experienced team of VA disability attorneys and advocates works to gather the most compelling evidence in support of your claim and are uniquely positioned and equipped to assist veterans exposed to burn pits.
Whether you are appealing a denial or fighting a low disability rating, the CCK team can assist you every step of the way.
Contact us for a free initial consultation today.