Burn Pits and Other Gulf War Exposures
Were you exposed to burn pits or other hazards during your military service?
Legally Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
February 27, 2025
Table of Contents
The VA Disability system is confusing and time-consuming. It can be especially difficult to win benefits for a disability related to a hazardous exposures from your military service. Winning these cases requires an experienced advocate who knows the ins and outs of the VA system, and can obtain the right medical opinion that ties everything together. Rob Levine Law has assisted countless veterans in obtaining benefits due to burn pits and other exposures that had devastating impact on their health. Our firm takes on an array of diverse exposure cases, including but not limited to:
- Agent Orange
- Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
- Burn Pits and Other Gulf War Exposures
- Contamination at Other Military Bases
Burn Pits
Many veterans were exposed to toxic hazards from burn pits in the Middle East. The U.S. military used large-scale open-air combustion, called burn pits, as a form of waste management for billions of tons of trash over the past two decades. Burn pits contained toxic materials such as chemicals, paint, metal/aluminum cans, munitions, plastic products, as well as medical and human waste. Veterans with exposure to burn pits now deal with debilitating medical conditions that can be presumptively service-connected.
The following groups of veterans are presumed to have been exposed to burn pits:
- On or after August 2, 1990, with service in any of these territories or airspace above these locations: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- On or after September 11, 2001, with service in any of these territories or airspace above these locations: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
With presumed exposure to burn pits, it is easier to service-connect these medical conditions:
- Respiratory Cancers such as: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx or trachea, adenocarcinoma of the trachea, salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea, adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung, large cell carcinoma of the lung, salivary gland-type tumors of the lung, sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung, and typical/atypical carcinoid of the lung.
- The following types of cancer: Head cancer, Neck cancer, Gastrointestinal cancer, Reproductive cancer, Lymphoma cancer, Lymphomatic cancer, Kidney cancer, Brain cancer, Melanoma, Pancreatic cancer, Glioblastoma.
- The following types of respiratory conditions: Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, Chronic bronchitis, COPD, Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, Emphysema, Granulomatous disease, Interstitial lung disease, Pleuritis, Pulmonary fibrosis, Sarcoidosis.
Medical studies continue to show the negative impact of burn pits on veterans’ health. Unfortunately, it is still difficult for many veterans to establish benefits for their burn pit-related claims. Contact us today so we can fight for you!
Gulf War Exposures
During the Gulf War, many veterans were exposed to burn pits, sarin gas, depleted uranium, and burning oil wells. As a result, Gulf War veterans often suffer from medically unexplained illnesses, commonly known as “Gulf War Syndrome,” which may be tied to those exposures. Research continues to demonstrate that veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom experience the same debilitating illnesses.
Veterans with eligible service in Southwest Asia may receive presumptive service connection for the following conditions related to Gulf War Syndrome:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Infectious Diseases Such As: Malaria, Brucellosis, Coxiella Burnetii (Q Fever), Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Shigella, Campylobacter Jejuni, Non-typhoid Salmonella, West Nile Virus, and Visceral Leishmaniasis
Dealing with the effects of Gulf War exposures can be hard enough. Don’t add the stress and frustration of battling the VA alone. Contact our team for a free case evaluation, and we’ll work hard to get you the benefits you deserve!
Rob Levine Law Resources
An experienced personal injury attorney is a critical aspect of pursuing a claim against the person or party that caused your injury. Not only is an attorney familiar with the law, they can also help you navigate legal and practical challenges that frequently arise in any personal injury case.
A lawyer is also a great resource for addressing questions about what types of compensation you may be eligible to receive and explaining how to approach your personal injury claim altogether.
Personal injury cases have a statute of limitations, and most of them are between two and four years, depending upon the state in which you reside. As such, it’s of the utmost importance that you consult an attorney today to file your claim immediately.
Our dedicated team of lawyers and their supporting staff handle all the work for you – so you can relax and focus on healing.
Get Your Free Consultation Now
"*" indicates required fields
Notable Case Results
$435,000
Awarded 100% for PTSD based on witnessing the death of a service member who drowned.
$540,000
Client served in the Army from 1964 to 1965 where they ran a squad. During his time he was severly injured and did not gain 100% disablity until hiring us and we were able to tie the back benefits to his time in service.
$410,000
100% benefits for Army National Guard veteran with over 13 years of backpay, PTSD and Erectile Dysfunction.
$750,000
100% benefits granted served in Air Force and was sexually assualted by a service psychologist during the entrance exam. Developed PTSD, anxiety, depression. Suffered for years from social isolation. Obtained benefits due back to 1982.
I highly recommend them and will continue to seek their services and advice.
Rob Levine Law have been very helpful in my request to receive Compensation Benefits for injuries I incurred while in service. I’ve suggested their services to a number of Veterans seeking legal services.
Sandyabdullah Muhammad
I would recommend them to any Veteran needing assistance.
I am a Marine Vietnam Combat Veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange. This Law Firm has and is currently representing me knowledgeably, competently, and professionally.
Rick Coulter
Thank you everyone for the continued support!
As a military veteran, I have pursued a disability claim on my own and with multiple NSO’s. While my disability was +50%, it was obvious to me a law firm was necessary to help navigate the appeal process and all the details involved with it. I was astounded at how knowledgeable the firm was about my particular case and how hard working and persistent they are with the case. Since working with Rob Levine Law my disability rating has increased and I am confident it will continue to climb. The attorney I work closest (Dvora) with is a great communicator, responsive, patient, and has superior listening skills.
Meghann Gilbert
Additional Resources
Related Pages
At Rob Levine Law, we work every day on behalf of those who have fought and sacrificed so much for...
Rob Levine, Veterans Disability Lawyer APPEALS MODERNIZATION (AMA) In February 2019, the VA launched a new appeals system in accordance...
No, the VA does not require you to hire a lawyer for your appeal. However, remember that the VA also...
