Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, aiming to better understand and treat health issues faced by veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. The new registry includes 4.7 million veterans and service members, significantly expanding its scope and simplifying participation requirements.
Takeaways
- The redesigned registry includes 4.7 million veterans and service members.
- Participation is automatic based on Department of Defense records.
- The registry aims to improve research and treatment for health issues related to toxic exposure.
- Participation does not affect individual VA health care or benefits.
Purpose of the Burn Pit Registry
The Burn Pit Registry is a critical tool for identifying and researching health challenges faced by veterans and service members exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits. The data collected will fuel advancements in treatments, inform policies related to presumptive conditions, and ensure more precise predictive medicine.
Why the Redesign?
The VA redesigned the registry in response to extensive feedback from veterans and service members. The new version reduces the burden of participation by expanding eligibility criteria and implementing automatic enrollment. Approximately 4.7 million veterans and service members are now included, with simple opt-out procedures for those who wish not to participate.
Automatic Inclusion and Opt-Out
If you enrolled in the registry before the redesign, you will be automatically rolled into the new system. Veterans and service members who deployed to eligible locations during specific time periods will also be automatically included. This includes deceased veterans who meet the eligibility criteria. To opt-out, visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage and submit an opt-out form.
Data and Privacy
The registry will include deployment locations, military personnel information, and demographics such as gender, race, and ethnicity. No medical information will be stored. Data will be accessible only to select VA epidemiologists, researchers, and institutional review board-approved researchers. The findings will inform health care and policy decisions, including those related to presumptive conditions.
Impact on Health Care and Benefits
Participation in the registry does not impact individual VA health care or benefits. The registry serves as a research tool to improve the care and benefits of future generations of veterans and service members. It is a way for veterans to contribute to the betterment of their community without affecting their health care or benefits.
How to Confirm Inclusion
To confirm whether you’ve been included in the registry, you can contact your local Environmental Health Coordinator. Active-duty service members can submit an inquiry to confirm their enrollment status.
Eligible Campaigns and Locations
Veterans and service members who served in the following campaigns or locations will be automatically included:
- Desert Shield and Desert Storm
- Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn
- Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Persian Gulf waters, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Egypt between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 2021
- Somalia since Aug. 2, 1990
- The Southwest Asia theater of military operations and Egypt any time after Aug. 2, 1990
- Afghanistan, Djibouti, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen any time after Sept. 11, 2001
- Associated airspaces with the aforementioned countries
Future Research and Policy
The data collected will be used to conduct medical and public health research over time. Findings from these studies will inform health care and policy, including those related to presumptive conditions. The registry is expected to pave the way for critical research in the coming years, ultimately benefiting the veteran community.
For more information, visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage or contact your local Environmental Health Coordinator.
Sources
- VA redesigns and expands Burn Pit Registry – VA News, VA News (.gov).
- New Burn Pit Registry Aims for Data on 4.7 Million Veterans to Assist in Research on Exposure to Hazards | Military.com, Military.com.
VA Launches Redesigned Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News
, U.S. Department of Defense (.gov).- VA expands burn pit registry to include all Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, Stars and Stripes.
- VA launches updated Burn Pit Registry | The American Legion, The American Legion.
