In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched the Airborne Hazards and Open
Burn Pit Registry, a long-awaited acknowledgment that many Veterans came home
carrying invisible injuries from their time overseas.
For years, troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones were exposed to toxic smoke from open-air burn pits used to dispose of waste, chemicals, plastics, and even medical material. At the time, the risks were largely ignored. But as health problems mounted, chronic respiratory issues, rare cancers, and other unexplained illnesses, so Veterans began demanding answers.
The Registry was a start. But ten years later, it’s clear we have much further to go.
The Registry Gave Veterans a Voice, But Not a Solution
At its core, the burn pit registry was about recognition. It gave Veterans a formal
channel to document exposure and symptoms, and helped researchers begin to
quantify the problem. Over 300,000 Veterans have signed up.
But the registry is voluntary and not linked directly to benefits. That means Veterans still have to prove their illness is service connected through separate, and often complicated VA claims.
Many Veterans with debilitating conditions remain stuck in limbo, with no compensation, no treatment, and no closure.
The PACT Act Changed the Game, Sort Of
The 2022 Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act
represented a major step forward. It expanded the list of presumptive conditions tied to
burn pit and toxic exposure, making it easier for some Veterans to get benefits without
mountains of paperwork.
It also broadened eligibility, meaning more Veterans from more conflicts could finally
access care.
But the system still has major flaws:
- Not all illnesses are covered under presumptive conditions.
- VA backlog persists, especially with the influx of new claims post-PACT Act.
- Medical evidence requirements can still derail a claim if not carefully
documented. Veterans Guardian has helped thousands of Veterans file successful burn pit-related claims. But even with the PACT Act, the process can be overwhelming, especially for those navigating serious illnesses while trying to prove they were exposed.
The Burden of Proof Is Still on the Veteran
One of the biggest problems with the burn pit registry and the toxic exposure claims
system in general is that the burden of proof still rests on the Veteran.
Even when a condition is linked to toxic exposure, the VA may still require specific
medical documentation, deployment records, and expert opinions to award benefits.
That’s a lot to ask of someone battling cancer or lung disease.
It’s time to reverse the presumption. If a Veteran served in a toxic environment, and
they’re now sick, we should give them the benefit of the doubt and not the burden of
bureaucracy.
The Unrecognized Conditions Are Growing
Another issue is that not all toxic exposure illnesses are currently recognized by the VA. We’re seeing rising cases of rare cancers, neurological issues, autoimmune disorders, and reproductive health problems all with potential links to environmental hazards faced during service.
Yet many of these are not included in the current list of covered conditions. That leaves Veterans to either prove causation from scratch or give up. We need ongoing scientific research, regular updates to the list of presumptive illnesses, and faster action when credible links are found.
Toxic Exposure Isn’t Just a Burn Pit Problem
While burn pits are the most well-known source of toxic exposure, they’re not the only
one.
Veterans have reported health issues from:
- Depleted uranium
- Jet fuel exposure
- Contaminated drinking water
- Pesticides and nerve agents
- Construction dust from older facilities
The Registry and the PACT Act must be living tools that adapt to the real-world
experiences of Veterans, not static programs that lag behind emerging science.
How We’re Helping Veterans Navigate Toxic Exposure Claims
At Veterans Guardian, we work every day with Veterans affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures. Our role is to help them:
- Understand their eligibility under the PACT Act
- Build strong evidence-based claims
- Navigate the complex VA system without giving up
In many cases, we also help families of Veterans who passed away from exposure-related illnesses get survivor benefits. These families deserve recognition too.
But even with expert help, the process is still more difficult than it should be. That’s why we continue to push for reforms that simplify the path to care.
What Needs to Change in Year 11 and Beyond
Now that the Registry has reached its ten-year mark, we must ask what does real
progress look like.
Here’s what we believe needs to happen:
1. Make the Registry mandatory for eligible Veterans, or at least incentivize
participation, to build a stronger data set.
2. Link Registry participation to streamlined benefits eligibility, especially when a
Veteran’s condition aligns with known exposure outcomes.
3. Continue expanding presumptive conditions as new medical data becomes
available.
4. Create a dedicated VA toxic exposure claims unit to reduce backlog and provide
specialized support.
5. Fund more long-term research into the health effects of military environmental
exposures.
The government owes it to those who served to treat these issues with urgency,
transparency, and compassion.
Your Story Matters
We always encourage Veterans to share their story; not just with us, but with
lawmakers, journalists, and the public.
Whether you were exposed to burn pits, chemical spills, or any other toxic environment during service, your voice can drive change.
You fought for your country. Now, the country needs to fight for you.
A Decade Is Long Enough
Ten years ago, the burn pit registry was a symbol of hope. A step toward
acknowledgment. A promise of progress.
That progress has come, but slowly and unevenly.
Now, in year eleven, we must recommit to that promise. Not just in words, but in action
and results. We must ensure that no Veteran suffering from toxic exposure is left
behind, denied, or forgotten.
The burn pit registry isn’t just about data, it’s about lives. Let’s make the next decade
one of accountability, action, and healing.
