Open burn pits were a central feature of US military operations across Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas theatres for more than two decades. These pits — sometimes covering several acres — were used to dispose of waste including chemicals, medical waste, munitions, and human waste by burning, often continuously and without effective emission controls.
The Scale of Exposure
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry has documented exposure at hundreds of locations. Contractors who worked at or near these sites — even at some distance — were exposed to a complex mixture of toxic compounds including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, and heavy metals.
Conditions Associated With Burn Pit Exposure
The range of conditions now recognised as potentially linked to burn pit exposure is extensive. Respiratory conditions including constrictive bronchiolitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and reactive airway disease are among the most commonly claimed. Cardiovascular conditions, neurological effects, and several forms of cancer are also increasingly recognised. Following the PACT Act, many of these conditions now carry presumptive service connection for eligible claimants.
Building the Exposure Evidence
Establishing burn pit exposure requires documentation of service at or near a qualifying location during the relevant period. The VA's burn pit registry provides a starting point, and deployment records, base assignment records, and witness statements can all supplement the evidence base. Contractors who were not formally deployed military personnel may face additional challenges establishing their presence at relevant locations — thorough investigation of employment records, contractor deployment orders, and base access records is essential.
Medical Evidence Requirements
Even with presumptive coverage, the medical evidence package remains important. A diagnosis of a covered condition from a qualified clinician, ideally supported by a nexus opinion addressing the relationship between the diagnosed condition and the documented exposure, provides the strongest foundation for a successful claim.