Burn Pits

As Washington refocuses on the issue of burn pits—waste fires used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq which emitted toxic smoke that later sickened troops—Military Times is republishing our early stories to help show what work still needs to be done.

40% of vets report worries about military toxic exposure injuries

Since November, VA officials have screened more than 1 million veterans for health issues related to things like burn pit smoke and chemical contamination.

5 months ago

Biden urges vets to apply for burn pit benefits right away

The commander in chief traveled to Delaware for a veterans town hall to highlight new services and help for toxic exposure victims.

6 months ago

Veterans

VA starting work on terminally ill vets’ PACT Act claims immediately

The move could speed up benefits for about 2,500 veterans.

Here are the veterans who will benefit from Congress’ sweeping toxic exposure bill

Veterans who served in Afghanistan, the first Gulf War, Vietnam and numerous other overseas locations could see new benefits under the plan.

12 months ago

Despite cost, veterans’ toxic exposure bill gains bipartisan backing

Most Senate Republicans voted for plans to move the legislation despite an estimated cost of more than $278 billion over the next 10 years.

12 months ago

Deal on toxic exposure bill includes more VA staff, dozens of new VA medical clinics

The sweeping bill could be one of the most expensive and most impactful veterans policy measures approved by Congress in years.

12 months ago

Senators reach deal to advance sweeping military toxic exposure legislation

The measure could be passed out of the chamber in the next few weeks and become law later this summer.

13 months ago

Nine respiratory cancers added to list of illnesses presumed caused by burn pit smoke

The move follows promises by the administration to increase the number of burn pit illnesses eligible for benefits.

13 months ago

Senate leaders promise vote on expanding benefits for burn pit victims

The sweeping bill has been stalled in the Senate over concerns related to cost and potential workload burdens on Veterans Affairs workers.

14 months ago

An airman tosses unserviceable uniform items into the Joint Base Balad, Iraq, burn pit in this March 2008 file photo from the U.S. Air Force.

What are military burn pits? And why are veterans worried about them?

The fires used in combat zones to dispose of waste may have caused serious illnesses in hundreds of thousands of U.S. service members.

14 months ago

Biden calls caring for burn pit illnesses a ‘sacred obligation’

In a speech to veterans in Texas, the president continued his push to improve benefits and care for those who served alongside burning waste pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

15 months ago

Pentagon not doing enough to control open burning, report says

The Radford Army Ammunition Plant emits nearly three million pounds of pollutants each year

15 months ago

Burn pit injuries will be focus of Biden’s trip to Texas this week

The move follows comments from the president in his State of the Union address asking Congress to do more to help those veterans.

15 months ago