During their military years, members of the armed forces often serve in hazardous environments that may place them at risk for routine exposure to toxic contaminants. But for thousands of veterans, these risks were unknown, even if lurking in their immediate environment.
For many of them, health impacts emerged after years of leaving the service, making easing into civilian life a continuous fight for well-being, and, in some cases, for survival. One of the severe illnesses increasingly emerging in veterans is brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma (GBM). This aggressive, often fatal cancer is increasingly diagnosed among post-9/11 and Vietnam-era veterans.
The growing incidence of GBM was highlighted while screening over two million veterans for toxic exposure since the passage of the PACT Act. Consequently, from the toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan to solvent exposure at bases like Camp Lejeune, the evidence is mounting that these service-related hazards may be fueling these diagnoses.
According to a VA-based study, brain tumors occur at a rate of about 11.6 per 100,000 veterans each year, with malignant tumors being less common than benign ones. Among them, GBM carries a significant health burden. Data helps show the impact of brain tumors in the veteran population, but the VA also has specific disability rating rules to evaluate and compensate veterans diagnosed with conditions like GBM.
The Alarming Rise of Brain Cancer Among Veterans
GBM is an aggressive brain cancer that starts in glial cells, which support nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, GBM is the most common malignant form of glioma and the most common brain tumor in adults. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this illness, but treatment may improve quality of life. Symptoms can vary based on where the tumor forms in the brain; the most common signs include:
- headaches
- blurred or double vision
- loss of appetite
- memory problems
- mood or personality changes
- muscle weakness or balance issues
- nausea and vomiting
- seizures
- speech problems
- numbness or tingling
The cause of most GBMs is unknown, and most do not run in families. Even if researchers don't know the why, a few factors have been linked to a higher risk of GBM:
- Aging - GBM is most common in older adults, especially males.
- Being exposed to radiation- ionizing radiation increases the risk of GBM.
- Inherited syndromes that increase cancer risk - lynch Syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome are inherited and can generate GBM.
Challenges in VA Benefits and Recognition
There is a strongly suspected, yet often debated, link between toxic exposures during military service and GBM development in veterans. While scientific studies have historically found the evidence "inadequate or insufficient" to establish a direct causal link, evidence from VA data and independent studies indicates higher rates of brain cancer among certain veteran populations.
Despite the PACT Act expanding benefits for many burn pit-related illnesses, glioblastoma is not always recognized as a presumptive condition, leading to high rates of denied claims. Diagnostic struggles further aggravate claims approval, as GBM is a rare tumor, and there's a delay between exposure and diagnosis. It makes proving a direct link to service difficult, even if many veterans and their families believe in a direct connection. However, as cases are increasing, the VA continues to study the link, but research often hits limitations due to the difficulty of tracing exact exposure levels.
GBM and VA Benefits: Navigating the System
Under normal VA rules for most cancers, a veteran is given a 100% disability rating while the cancer is active and during treatment. After treatment ends, the VA typically continues the 100% rating for about 6 months, then schedules a C&P exam to determine whether the cancer is in remission or if there are lasting effects. The rating will be adjusted based on any residual disabilities.
However, GBM is treated differently because it falls under Diagnostic Code 8002, malignant brain tumors. The VA still gives a 100% rating during active disease and treatment, but instead of the usual 6-month follow-up rule, the 100% rating continues for two full years after treatment ends. A C&P exam is scheduled after two years, and from there, the rating is based on any long-term neurological or functional effects, such as:
- memory issues
- weakness
- seizures
- other brain-related impairments
Risk Factors Leading to Veterans' Glioblastoma
One of the GBM's main causes is radiation exposure, as this cancer is classified as a "radiogenic disease" under VA regulations. It means that it's a type of cancer that may be linked to ionizing radiation when filing for compensation. Radiation can damage DNA, and long-term exposure has been associated with brain tumors. Veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation during service, especially if they worked around:
- nuclear weapons
- nuclear reactors
- nuclear cleanup operations
For certain groups, GBM is treated as a presumptive condition, including veterans who participated in nuclear weapons testing or who were present in Hiroshima or Nagasaki after World War II. For them, the VA automatically assumes that service-related exposure caused the cancer, which makes qualifying for benefits simpler. For other veterans, service connection is not automatic; they need to present medical evidence showing that radiation exposure is "at least as likely as not" the cause of the brain cancer:
- expert medical opinions
- service records documenting the exposure
- scientific research linking radiation to tumor growth
Burn pits / Gulf War / Post-9/11: many veterans were exposed to burn pits, where military waste was destroyed in large open-air fires. These pits released smoke filled with chemicals, metals, and toxins, endangering service members working or living nearby. Over time, concerns grew about the connection between this exposure and serious health problems, including brain cancer. Moreover, research has linked burn pit exposure to GBM, and the PACT Act added GBM to the presumptive conditions for veterans who served in areas where burn pits were used.
Agent Orange (AO): GBM is not on the presumptive list because VA scientific reviews have found insufficient evidence of a confirmed link. However, veterans can still win direct service connection cases. Only they are not automatically granted service connection for brain cancer for AO. Instead, they must prove a direct service connection. Although brain cancer is not presumptive, in some cases, appeals have resulted in favorable decisions when the evidence demonstrates a credible connection between toxic exposure and the diagnosed condition.
Asbestos exposure: brain cancer, including GBM, is not currently established as a condition caused by asbestos in medical or VA guidance. Veterans with asbestos exposure can still seek direct service connection for GBM claims, but they must have medical evidence and a nexus opinion proving that the condition is at least as likely as not related to military service.
PFAS/AFFF exposure: while actively being studied for broader cancer risks, there is no well-established scientific or VA-recognized causal link between PFAS exposure and GBM. Veterans with documented exposure may still seek direct service connection claims, but these cases require strong medical nexus evidence.
VA Rates and Brain Tumor Residuals
Any lasting neurological or cognitive effects of GBM may later be evaluated as residuals if the condition enters a stable post-treatment phase. These residuals are rated based on the specific condition they cause. In some cases, the VA assigns separate ratings for different symptoms if they are distinct and do not coincide.
However, symptoms that affect the same function cannot be rated twice. This is to ensure veterans are compensated based on the impact of all residual symptoms, not just the original tumor diagnosis. GBM treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) often causes lasting neurological (physical) effects, such as:
- weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body
- numbness or loss of sensation in limbs or face
- seizures
- balance and coordination problems
- vision problems
- speech difficulties
- chronic headaches or migraines
These conditions are typically rated under VA diagnostic codes as follows:
- Seizures (DC 8910?8914)
- Migraines (DC 8100)
- Cranial nerve or neurological impairment codes (various sections of 38 CFR 4.124a)
Another type of GBM residuals is cognitive impairment, one of the most important long-term effects of the cancer:
- memory loss -especially short-term memory
- difficulty concentrating or staying focused
- slowed thinking or processing speed
- problems with planning, organizing, or decision-making
The VA typically evaluates these symptoms under:
- DC 8045 (TBI framework used by analogy) or
- Mental health rating criteria (38 CFR 4.130), depending on diagnosis and documentation
GBM also generates emotional and behavioral residuals, affecting the mood and behavior due to brain tissue damage and treatment effects:
- depression
- anxiety
- irritability or mood instability
- personality changes
- reduced impulse control
These are rated under:
- 38 CFR 4.130 (Mental Disorders Rating Schedule, DC 9201-9440 range)
Assisting Veterans in Securing the Deserved Support
Veterans diagnosed with GBM and who believe it may be connected to their military service shouldn't wait to explore compensation options. Understanding eligibility for VA benefits could make a meaningful difference in care and financial stability. However, proving a service connection can be overwhelming when all energies should be centered on treatment and well-being.
If you wish to apply for compensation, the best option is to contact a experienced legal expert who can help gather your medical and service records and take the first step toward securing the support you've earned. We can help by putting you in contact with toxic exposure lawyers ready to take on your case.