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.

Watchdog: VA may have overpaid millions in Gulf War Syndrome benefits

Investigators estimate that the Veterans Benefits Administration “prematurely” approved thousands of claims.

3 months ago

Veterans, military family members and advocates call for Senate Republicans to change their votes on a bill designed to help millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service, on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, Aug. 1, 2022.

Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure

The first anniversary of the PACT Act, sweeping toxic exposure legislation expanding health and disability benefits for veterans, is Thursday.

4 months ago

Burn Pits

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.

Toxic exposure bill nears finish line with House approval

The measure will extend health care and disability benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

17 months ago

Major veterans toxic exposure legislation delayed again, but lawmakers insist it’s not defeat

Officials are optimistic the sweeping veterans bill will be finalized by Congress sometime next month.

17 months ago

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.

18 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.

18 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.

18 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.

19 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.

19 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.

20 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.

20 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.

21 months ago