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Exposure to environmental hazards exacerbates the risks inherent in military service, but many veterans do not experience the health consequences until many years later. The dangers of toxic exposure during active duty military service have changed over the years, increasing the chances of veterans developing severe health problems as they age.
Previously, exposure due to chemical warfare was the primary cause of disabling conditions in veterans. Nowadays, service members are more likely to come into contact with hazardous materials at a military base or while deployed overseas. They can be exposed to various toxic substances from many different sources, including:
- nuclear and radioactive waste sites
- open-air trash combustion (burn pits)
- chemical warfare agents
- contaminated drinking water
Medical research suggests that these exposures have been widespread and can also occur during combat training and day-to-day duties. Although it is challenging to encompass the full range of adverse health outcomes associated with toxins, as long as veterans establish that their disability is tied to toxic exposure during active duty military service, they could be entitled to benefits.
One of the toxic materials still affecting veterans' health is asbestos; exposure to its airborne microscopic fibers has been a widespread issue across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces at home and abroad. During World War II and the wars in Korea and Vietnam, asbestos use intensified across all military facilities and equipment to meet the demands of safety and performance needs. Unfortunately, it was only much later discovered that exposure to asbestos dust over a more extended period can lead to asbestos-related cancers, such as:
- pharyngeal cancer
- colorectal cancer
- mesothelioma
- laryngeal cancer
- esophageal cancer
- urogenital cancer
- bronchial cancer
- lung cancer
- gastrointestinal cancer
Toxic Exposure Risk Lurked Every Step of the Military Years
In 2020, a study looked into the causes of death for military members who participated in nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1962. No diseases were linked to radiation exposure, but a high risk of mesothelioma was noted among those who served on Navy ships built before the 1980s.
However, asbestos was only one of many toxic hazards faced by military personnel. Many U.S. military bases are classified as Superfund sites due to their long-standing history of toxic contamination. The EPA launched the Superfund program in 1980, following the enactment of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which created a framework to identify and clean up land contaminated by hazardous waste that poses a risk to human health and the environment.
Currently, the EPA has over 130 military facilities and sites listed as Superfund Priorities, with an estimated 140 sites included on the National Priorities List (NPL) - the most serious and high-risk locations targeted for long-term cleanup under the Superfund program. These contaminated military sites often hold pollutants such as:
- asbestos
- PFAS
- jet fuel fumes
- benzene
- industrial solvents
- lead-based paint
These toxic substances have penetrated the soil and groundwater and polluted the air, creating an ongoing health risk for service members, base personnel, and surrounding communities. Long-term contact with these toxins has been linked to serious diseases, including:
- various cancers
- respiratory conditions
- reproductive issues
- autoimmune disorders
For many veterans, these invisible dangers of military service didn't surface until years after separation, making toxic exposure one of the most devastating and lasting threats they faced. A well-known example is the contaminated water crisis at Camp Lejeune, where service members and their families were exposed to toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and benzene, through the base's drinking water supply. Nonetheless, Camp Lejeune isn't the only base where environmental hazards lurk.
California's Fort Ord was heavily contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lead, PCBs, and unexploded ordnance. The former Army post has been a Superfund site since the 1990s. It also has numerous buildings with documented asbestos contamination, requiring careful handling and removal during demolition and cleanup.
Another poster child of multiple contamination is Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire, known primarily for PFAS contamination. Moreover, the base's older facilities likely contained asbestos insulation and construction materials made with asbestos, a common practice in mid-20th-century military buildings.
Michigan's Wurtsmith Air Force Base has extensive contamination from various toxic substances, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), solvents such as Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), chloroform, and Vinyl Chloride. All the while, older structures were likely to have included asbestos materials typical of the era.
At Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada, investigations revealed the presence of contaminants from jet fuel and arsenic, and asbestos was also likely present in the aging base infrastructure.
Compensation and Care for Veterans Affected by Toxic Exposure
The VA recognizes that many veterans have been exposed to toxic substances during their military service, and that exposure to various contaminants can cause severe, even life-threatening health conditions. To address the issue, the VA has specific protocols to identify and link certain diseases and conditions to toxic exposures.
- presumptive conditions
- health registries and screening programs
- environmental health exposure assessment
- toxic exposure screening questionnaire (TESQ)
- research and policy updates
Veterans exposed to toxins or other hazards during deployment overseas or while serving at home are eligible for VA health care. It also includes those former service members who never deployed but were exposed to toxins during training or active duty within the US. All these veterans can enroll in VA health care to receive the support and treatment they need. Beyond health care, veterans who develop diseases or disabilities linked to toxic exposure may also be eligible for VA disability benefits. However, there are eligibility criteria in place for filing toxic exposure claims. To successfully file a claim for toxic exposure, veterans need to demonstrate that their health condition is directly linked to their military service. The main requirements:
- Proof of toxic exposure - veterans must provide evidence that they were exposed to harmful substances during their service, including documentation from military records, medical evaluations, or testimonies from fellow service members.
- Medical documentation - veterans must submit medical records that link their current condition to their exposure, including diagnoses from healthcare providers that explicitly connect the condition to the toxic substance encountered during service.
- Disability rating - veterans must meet the VA's disability rating criteria to qualify for benefits. This rating determines the level of compensation they'll receive and is based on the severity of their health condition.
Former service members should know that when they become ill and consider filing a disability claim, it's essential to review their service records and documentation carefully. It's a necessary step that may point out that, in many cases, veterans were not exposed to just one toxic substance. Unfortunately, alongside asbestos, they may have been exposed to many other toxins, and their diseases can be interconnected. Understanding the full scope of exposures can be crucial for accurately filing claims.
Offering Help for Veterans to Receive the Compensation They Are Eligible For
Filing toxic exposure claims can be an overwhelming process, especially if veterans already suffer from a severe medical condition. Moreover, even if gathering service documents and medical evaluation papers are completed and all forms are submitted correctly, some claims are still denied.
Denied claims bring about a burdensome situation not only emotionally, but also financially. We encourage every veteran and their families to seek help from experienced toxic exposure attorneys when the claim is denied. Legal experts are already familiar with the inner workings of the claiming process and can ensure that the necessary documents are properly prepared. We can help by connecting you with lawyers experienced in toxic exposure claims.