In 2021, several bills were advanced to extend research, monitoring, and benefits eligibility based on toxic burn pit exposure, but many of these stalled at the end of the year. Leaders in the House and Senate have promised to keep pushing these issues along. In August 2021, VA announced that it would award presumptive benefits to Veterans suffering from asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis who served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Uzbekistan from September 19, 2001, or in the Southwest Asia theater after August 2, 1990.
In November, the White House announced a full review of how all future disability claims will be evaluated, including a 90-day review of numerous rare cancers thought to be linked to military burn pits. The results of that review should be available in February.
At Gardberg and Kemmerly, we are dedicated to helping Veterans obtain the disability compensation and benefits they deserve and will continue to follow these burn pit exposure developments closely. If you need help with a disability claim, call the office at 251-343-1111 or 800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the Gulf Coast and the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama.