The VA Burn Pit Registry: What It Helps With—and What It Doesn’t

For veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits while serving in the military, the path to benefits can be overwhelming. Many of them turn to the Veterans Affairs Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry as their first step, hoping it will help speed up their disability claim process. However, while the registry is a helpful tool, it is important to understand what it does and does not do.

At Veterans Benefits Law Group, PLLC, we have helped countless Mississippi veterans navigate the complexities of burn-pit related claims. We are here to help you understand the facts so that you do not mistakenly think that enrollment is approval, or delay filing a formal claim because you believe that the registry alone will be enough.

What Is the Burn Pit Registry?

The Burn Pit Registry, launched in June 2014 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, allows veterans and active-duty service members who served in certain areas (such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Kuwait) to record their exposure to airborne hazards, including smoke from open-air burn pits.

By completing a short online questionnaire about your health history and current symptoms, you contribute to long-term research on the effects of toxic exposure on health. You will also receive a free medical evaluation from a Veteran Affairs (VA) provider to discuss your answers.

This registry played a crucial role in building scientific and anecdotal evidence, which eventually led to the passage of the PACT Act in 2022. The PACT Act is a landmark law that expands the list of conditions that can be presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits over 20 conditions.

What the Registry Does Help With

1. Documents Your Exposure: Your registry entry doesn’t prove your service connection, but it does create an official record that links your service location with potential toxic exposure. This information can be useful when filing a claim for compensation.
2. Trigger a Free Health Evaluation: After you enroll, you’re entitled to a free medical exam with a VA environmental health specialist. This exam can help detect early signs of conditions such as asthma, COPD, and even cancer.
3. Support Broader Advocacy: The aggregate data from the registry has helped push Congress to expand benefits for veterans. The information continues to inform VA policies and research on long-term health outcomes.

What the Registry Does NOT Do

Despite common misconceptions, joining the Burn Pit Registry does not automatically qualify you for disability benefits. It is not the same as filing a claim with the Veterans Affairs (VA) under the Post-9/11 Service members’ Civilian Disability Compensation (PACT) Act or other compensation programs.

Joining the registry does not establish a service connection with the VA. Even if you have a registry entry, you must still provide medical evidence linking your diagnosed condition to your service in order to qualify for benefits, unless it’s a presumptive condition covered under the PACT Act.

Moreover, joining the registry does not guarantee an earlier effective date for your claim. The VA will base the effective date of your claim on the date you filed your disability application, rather than when you joined the registry. If you delay filing your claim, you could lose out on thousands of dollars in retroactive benefits.

The PACT Act Changes the Game—But You Still Need to File

Thanks to the PACT Act, veterans who have certain cancers (such as glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, or lymphoma) or respiratory illnesses (including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic bronchitis) no longer need to prove that their illness was caused by exposure to burn pits if they served in a qualifying location during the covered time period.

However, this automatic assumption only applies after you have filed a claim. Simply registering does not automatically trigger benefits, health insurance enrollment, or monthly payments.

Take the Next Step—Don’t Stop at the Registry

If you have enrolled in the Burn Pit Registry and experience symptoms such as persistent coughing, unexplained fatigue, digestive issues, or cognitive changes, it is important to take action. Even if you have not received a formal diagnosis, you may still be eligible to file a claim under the PACT Act based on your documented symptoms and exposure history.

At Veterans Benefits Law Group, PLLC, our experienced attorneys in Ridgeland, MS specialize in helping veterans navigate the complex process of gathering the necessary evidence, such as military records, medical reports and registry data to build a strong case for their disability claim. We are committed to ensuring that veterans receive full benefits earned through their service, including access to healthcare.

Don’t let confusion about registration delay your benefits. If you have any questions, please contact us at (601) 414-3707. We are here to help you, just as you helped our country. We serve Jackson, Ridgeland, and all of Mississippi.