Veterans Benefits Law Group – Advocates for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits

Burn Pits Attorney Ridgeland MS

Compensation for Your Burn Pit-Related Cancer

For many years, the government has suspected the dangers related to burn pits were dangerous. Many former service members who were exposed to burn pits have contracted serious health conditions including cancer. The passage of the PACT Act expanded healthcare benefits to certain veterans who were injured after being exposed to burn pits.

At the Veterans Benefits Law Group, our burn pit exposure lawyers can help you file a disability claim through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs if you were diagnosed with burn pit-related cancer. We will fight for you to receive the maximum benefits allowed by law. Contact our office today at (601) 414-3707 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We proudly represent clients throughout Jackson, Mississippi. 

a group of soldiers in a field with smoke and fire

What Are Burn Pits?

Burn pits are large areas used for burning trash. They are widely used in the military to dispose of waste including but not limited to petroleum, chemicals, paint, styrofoam, and more. After receiving multiple complaints of respiratory issues and other concerns potentially caused by exposure to toxic chemicals released in a burn pit, a study was launched. 

In June 2014 launched by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) called the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry helped to identify the wide ranging health effects of burn pits used in the military.  With this information, the VA was eventually able to establish a set of presumptive conditions related to burn pit exposure.

At their peak, some burn pits – like the infamous one at Joint Base Balad in Iraq – covered over 10 acres and operated 24/7 for years. These were often located dangerously close to sleeping quarters, dining facilities, and workspaces, exposing veterans stationed downwind to dioxins, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals that are known to cause DNA damage and organ dysfunction.

While the military has since reduced its reliance on these burn pits, health consequences continue to emerge. Sometimes, these effects become apparent decades later. Enrolling in the Burn Pit Registry is a crucial first step, and our attorneys can assist you in ensuring your participation is properly documented to support your claim.

Online VA Benefits Resources

What Are the Presumptive Conditions for Burn Pits?

In most cases when seeking a disability claim from the VA, you will need to prove that your condition was caused during your service. The VA, however, assumes that certain conditions were the result of a person’s service. These conditions are called presumptive conditions. If you have a presumptive condition, you do not need to prove that your condition was caused during your military service.

Cancers that are presumptive conditions of burn pits:

  • Brain and head cancer
  • Gastrointestinal cancer
  • Lymphoma and melanoma
  • Glioblastoma
  • Kidney cancer
  • Neck and pancreatic cancer
  • Reproductive and respiratory cancer

The PACT ACT greatly expanded the number of health conditions that the VA has determined are presumptive conditions related to burn pits. Certain locations have also been deemed presumptive locations, meaning that if you have a presumptive condition and were serviced there it is assumed that it caused you harm.

In addition to cancer, the PACT Act also adds several respiratory illnesses to the list of conditions that can be considered service-connected. These include asthma (if diagnosed after military service), chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. Veterans with breathing difficulties may now be eligible for benefits, not just those with cancer.

What Types of Chemicals Were People Exposed To?

Because of the wide variety of waste that was burned at burn pits on military sites abroad, it deeply impacted people’s lives.

Chemicals and toxins veterans were exposed to at military locations around the world:

  • Sulfur
  • Hexavalent chromium
  • Pollutants
  • Airborne hazards

The burn pits were utilized to get rid of many things including human waste. In addition to veterans, survivors may also be entitled to benefits through the VA if their loved one died as a result of a burn-pit-related cancer.

Scientific studies have linked exposure to certain substances with an increased risk of rare cancers and lung diseases. For example, hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, was also featured in the case of Erin Brockovich, and is linked to lung and nasal cancer. Dioxins, which are released when plastics are burned, are among the most toxic substances known to humans and can remain in the body for many years. Even if your medical records do not explicitly mention “burn pit exposure,” our attorneys can still use your military records, unit records, and environmental data to determine whether you were likely exposed during your time in service.

Your Rights If You Were Exposed to Toxic Chemicals From a Burn Pit

If you were exposed to toxic chemicals from a burn pit while you were serving this country, the PACT Act has expanded opportunities for disability coverage. Under the expansion, more veterans are eligible for VA health care and burn pit compensation. The VA has named several presumptive conditions related to burn pits. A presumptive condition prevents you from having to prove that your injury or illness was caused by your service. 

Determining Eligibility for a VA Disability Claim

In order to be eligible for a VA disability claim related to toxic chemical exposure from a burn pit, you must meet certain criteria. The best way to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve is by retaining an attorney.

You may be eligible for compensation for burn pit-related cancer if you:

  • Have received a diagnosis for an illness or other health condition that was caused by exposure to a toxic hazard;
  • Were on active duty at the time of the exposure; and
  • You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.

If you meet these three requirements, you might be able to file a claim for compensation. An attorney should review the case to ensure your eligibility and help decide all of your legal options. Compensation rights have been greatly expanded under the PACT Act for Gulf War era veterans and post-9/11 veterans. Speaking with an attorney can help make sure that you receive the benefits you deserve.

Our attorneys go beyond basic eligibility. We analyze your deployment dates, unit assignments, medical history, and even satellite imagery of base layouts to reconstruct your exposure scenario. We also assist survivors in filing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims when a veteran’s death is linked to a presumptive burn pit condition. Retroactive benefits may be available dating back to the original claim filing or even the date of diagnosis, which can result in tens of thousands of dollars in back pay.

How Do I File a VA Claim for PACT Act?

Contact Our Office to Schedule a Free Consultation

Were you diagnosed with burn pit-related cancer? You may be eligible to file a disability claim through the VA. Our firm can help you file the claim, working to make sure you receive the benefits you need. Do not delay; contact our office at (601) 414-3707 to schedule a free consultation.

Cases are accepted on a contingency fee basis meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Our legal team proudly represents veterans and their families throughout Jackson, MS and the surrounding areas. 

Common Burn Pits FAQs

What are burn pits, and how were veterans exposed?

Burn pits were large open-air sites used by the military—primarily in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations—to dispose of waste like plastics, chemicals, medical waste, and even human waste. Toxic smoke from these pits exposed many service members to harmful chemicals during deployment.

Can I get VA benefits for a burn pit-related illness?

Yes. Thanks to the PACT Act (2022), veterans diagnosed with certain conditions linked to burn pit exposure may qualify for VA disability benefits—often without needing to prove direct causation if they served in a covered location and have a “presumptive” condition.

What illnesses are considered presumptive for burn pit exposure?

The VA now presumes service connection for over 20 conditions, including:

Brain, kidney, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal cancers
Glioblastoma, lymphoma, and melanoma
Respiratory cancers and reproductive cancers
Asthma (if diagnosed during service), COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and other lung diseases

Do I need to prove my illness was caused by a burn pit?

If you have a presumptive condition and served in a qualifying location (such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, or other post-9/11 bases), the VA assumes your illness is service-connected—so you don’t need additional proof of exposure.

Are survivors eligible for benefits if a veteran died from a burn pit-related illness?

Yes. Surviving spouses, children, and in some cases parents may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or accrued benefits if the veteran’s death was due to a PACT Act-covered condition.

What if I was exposed but don’t have a presumptive condition yet?

You may still file a claim, but you’ll need strong medical evidence linking your illness to burn pit exposure. It’s wise to enroll in the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and consult an attorney to explore your options.

Related Articles