Many Iraq/Afghanistan veterans were exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits. Burn pits were used to dispose of many items that gave off harmful chemicals when burned. These chemicals include some of the same chemicals found in Agent Orange. Veterans returning from Iraq/Afghanistan may find that they have lung problems or other health problems that they did not have prior to deployment. The VA has not linked any illnesses to burn pit exposure. However, if you were exposed to smoke from a burn pit and now have lung problems, skin problems, or other health issues you did not have prior to deployment, you may qualify for VA compensation.

The government has also recently admitted that a number of Iraq veterans were exposed to chemicals from chemical weapons, left over from the Saddam’s army, that either were leaking or were disposed of improperly. This includes such chemicals such as mustard gas and other very toxic substances. If you think you were exposed to these chemical weapons and now have lung, skin or other health problems, you may be entitled to compensation.

As the VA does not presume that exposure to chemicals causes any illnesses, you need medical proof to connect your illness to exposure to burn pits or chemical weapons. The VA will most likely deny the claim at the first stage. However, you can appeal, and this is where a lawyer can help you with the case by putting together evidence to convince the VA that you were exposed to chemicals and that they caused your illness. 

A new report released by the Disabled American Veterans reveals that female veterans are being seriously under served by the VA.  There are serious gaps in service in all areas of the VA:  health care, job training, housing, and social issues.  Although the number of female veterans seeking health care in the VA system has doubled since 2000, 1 in 4 VA hospitals do not have a full-time gynecologist on staff. 

The VA treatment of women veterans seeking compensation for problems stemming for sexual assault in the military is one of the major areas were the VA falls short of its mission.  Many sexual assaults are not reported. VA regulations require the VA to inform the veteran that other evidence can be used to prove that the assault occurred.  Many veterans do not know how to go about getting this evidence or how to properly present it to the VA.  Even if the veteran gets such evidence and submits it, the VA will still often deny claims because the assault was not reported in service.  The VA will try to use that fact that the assault was not reported as evidence that it did not happen.  Recently, a Federal Appeals Court has held that the VA cannot do that.  The VA cannot treat the lack of a report in service as evidence that the assault did not happen. 

If a veteran, male or female, has a claim for compensation for sexual or other types of personal assault  in service, it is important that the veteran have good representation.  The veteran needs an advocate/attorney who is aware of the latest law in this area so the case can be properly presented to the VA, and if the claim is denied, can file an appeal and pursue the issue in Court, if necessary.