As time has gone on, more attention has been paid to veterans who were victims of burn pit exposure during their military service. This is due to the growing body of evidence that has shown the harm that these veterans experience as a result of that exposure. But what exactly is burn pit exposure, and why might it matter to you?
What is Burn Pit Exposure?
Burn pit exposure is the broad term for whenever people inhale fumes from so-called “burn pits,” potentially resulting in a number of severe medical conditions. These burn pits were a common method for the military to dispose of various kinds of waste, including potentially dangerous chemicals that people should not normally be exposed to. As a result, anyone who happened to be downwind of these pits could inhale the smoke or fumes, and potentially be sickened or suffer other medical issues, sometimes years afterwards.
How Do Veterans Get Exposed to Burn Pits?
Quite simply, most veterans who suffer from the effects of burn pit exposure were exposed during their military service. Even if they were not personally responsible for burning the waste in the pits, it was often impossible for them to avoid the smoke, making exposure essentially inevitable. The result is that many veterans experience severe health consequences that impaired them long after they completed their military service.
What Are the Effects of Burn Pit Exposure?
There are a number of health conditions that have been tied to burn pit exposure. While some of these conditions may appear right away, others do not become evident until years or even decades afterwards. These include, but are not limited to:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Brain cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Glioblastoma
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
- Testicular and ovarian cancer
What Should You Do?
If you have experienced any of these medical issues and served in the military, you may be entitled to disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, to know what you may be able to get, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability claims. They can guide you through the process, and ensure you have the best chance possible for a favorable outcome for your case.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
