Benefits Updates for Post 9/11 Veterans

For many years, Post 9/11 veterans who served in Iraq/Afghanistan and at bases in the region supporting operations there, raised concerns about the potential for exposure to toxic materials from the burn pits located on their bases. These concerns resulted in the Burn Pit Registry being created, but now also has led to the Department of Veteran Affairs to announce on August 2, 2021, that they would begin processing claims for three conditions on a presumptive basis for veterans with service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas.  

The qualifying criteria according to the release are that a veteran be able to show service in the region and that the conditions manifest within 10 years of a qualifying service period. As of the writing of this article, there are three presumed conditions associated with service in the region. These conditions are chronic asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. While this presumption now exists, NDVS asks that veterans speak to Service Officers both within our department, and partner Veteran Service Organizations about applying for service connection for these conditions.  

To contact an NDVS Veterans Service Officer near you visit: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veterans-service-officers/ or submit an “Ask A VSO form” at https://veterans.nv.gov/ask-a-vso/ .