Veterans of almost all eras share something in common whether it be their experiences in boot camp, their first day out in the field or their first time out to sea.  Unfortunately some veterans also share exposure to various toxic and environmental hazards.

During World War II some veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation while in Vietnam a large number of veterans were exposed to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange.  In more modern times we have seen a large number of health conditions related to exposures for those serving in the Middle East and elsewhere.

In an effort to track the health conditions and the health outcomes of exposed veterans the VA has created a number of health registries.  These registries are a free, voluntary medical assessment for veterans who may have been exposed to certain toxic and environmental hazards during military service. They are tailored to each veteran’s specific needs based on their presumed or potential exposure.  The registry examinations may include medical histories, lab tests and more often than not a physical examination.

Currently there are five different health registry evaluation programs:

1. Ionizing Radiation Registry

2. Agent Orange Registry

3. Gulf War Registry

4. Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program

5. Toxic Embedded Fragments Registry

VA is also working on a Burn Pit Registry

Currently only veterans are eligible for health registry examinations.  Non-veteran family members may not participate.

Ionizing Radiation Registry – Ionizing radiation exposure comes from a variety of sources, including nuclear weapons testing or other activities during military service.

These veterans are eligible for participation in the Ionizing Radiation Registry:

  • On-site participation in a test involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device, whether or not the testing nation was the United States
  • Participation in the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki from August 6, 1945 through July 1, 1946
  • Internment as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II
  • Receipt of nasopharyngeal (NP)—nose and throat—radium irradiation treatments while in the active military, naval, or air service
  • Involved in the following “radiation-risk activities”:
    • Service at Department of Energy gaseous diffusion plants at Paducah, KY, Portsmouth, OH, or the K25 area at Oak Ridge, TN,       for at least 250 days before February 1, 1992 under certain conditions
    • Proximity to “Longshot,” “Milrow,” or “Cannikin” underground nuclear tests at Amchitka Island, AK,  before January 1, 1974

If you participate in the Ionizing Radiation Registry you should also be subscribed to VA’s Ionizing Radiation Review.  The Ionizing Radiation Review newsletters provide information to veterans and their families concerned about the health risks of exposure to ionizing radiation during military service.  The Ionizing Radiation Review is produced by VA’s Environmental Health Program.

Even if you do not undergo an Ionizing Radiation Registry exam you can still subscribe to the Ionizing Radiation Review and future updates by following this link:

Subscribe to email updates and notices of published newsletters.

You can also follow this link for access to archived Ionizing Radiation Review newsletters back to 2004.

Agent Orange Registry – Agent Orange is a mixture of herbicides used in Vietnam from 1961 to 1971 to remove leaves from trees that provided cover for enemy forces during the Vietnam War.  The name Agent Orange comes from the identifying stripe around the 55-gallon drum in which it was transported and stored.

These veterans are eligible for participation in the Agent Orange Registry:

Vietnam

  • Veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, regardless of length of time.
  • Veterans who served aboard vessels, smaller river patrol and swift boats that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam (also known as “Brown Water Veterans”)

Korea

  • Veterans who served in a unit in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971.

Thailand

  • U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases near U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Amy Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned a military occupational specialty whose duty placed him or her at or near the base perimeter.

Other potential Agent Orange exposures

  • Veterans who may have been exposed to herbicides during a military operation or as a result of testing, transporting, or spraying herbicides for military purposes. Learn about herbicide tests and storage outside Vietnam.

If you participate in the Agent Orange Registry you should also be subscribed to VA’s Agent Orange Review.  The Agent Orange Review provides information to veterans and their families concerned about herbicides used in Vietnam and elsewhere and about VA’s programs related to Agent Orange.  The Review also lists new conditions that are related to exposure to Agent Orange and other changes in the laws effecting Agent Orange Benefits.

Even if you do not undergo an Agent Orange Registry exam you can still subscribe to the Agent Orange Review by following this link:

Subscribe to email updates and notices of published newsletters.

You can also follow this link for access to archived Agent Orange Review newsletters back to 1984.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/publications/newsletter-archive.asp

Gulf War Registry – Gulf War-related exposures include a variety of potentially harmful substances including: pesticides; pyridostigmine bromide (anti-nerve agent); infectious diseases; chemical and biological warfare agents; vaccinations (including anthrax and botulinum toxoid); oil well fires, smoke, petroleum and depleted uranium.

Veterans who served in the Middle East during the following periods of conflict are eligible for participation in the Gulf War Registry:

  • 1990 – 1991 Gulf War
  • Operation Desert Shield
  • Operation Desert Storm
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Operation New Dawn

If you participate in the Gulf War Registry you should also be subscribed to VA’s Gulf War Review.  The Gulf War Review provides information to veterans and their families concerned about their health due to service in the Middle East.  The Review also lists new conditions that are related to service in the Middle East and other changes in the law effecting Gulf War benefits.

Even if you do not undergo a Gulf War Registry exam you can still subscribe to the Gulf War Review by following this link:

Subscribe to email updates and notices of published newsletters

You can also follow this link for access to archived Gulf War Review newsletters back to 1982.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/publications/newsletter-archive.asp

Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program – Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process to make nuclear fuel that was first used by the United States military in projectiles and armor for tanks during the Gulf War.  It is a possible chemical hazard primarily internalized through shrapnel, contaminated wounds or inhalation.

The process of manufacturing enriched uranium from natural uranium used in nuclear reactors or weapons leaves “depleted” uranium.  DU has 40 percent less radioactivity, but the same chemical toxicity as natural uranium.

When a projectile made with DU penetrates a vehicle, small pieces of DU can scatter and become embedded in muscle and soft tissue.  In addition to DU in wounds, soldiers exposed to DU in struck vehicles may inhale or swallow small airborne DU particles.

Some Gulf War, Bosnia, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) Veterans who may have been exposed to DU are those who were: on, in or near vehicles hit with friendly fire; entering or near burning vehicles; near fires involving DU munitions; or salvaging damaged vehicles.

Veterans who served in the following locations during the following periods are eligible for participation in the Gulf War Registry:

  • 1990-1991 Gulf War
  • Bosnia
  • Operation Enduring Freedom
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Operation New Dawn

For additional information take a look at the following resources:

Clinical Education Guide – Veterans Health Initiative

Clinicians can learn about the health effects of depleted uranium and other potential environmental hazards during the Gulf War from the Gulf War Veterans’ Health Veterans Health Initiative online course and study guide.

Reports – Institute of Medicine

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, a non-governmental organization, evaluates all relevant scientific literature and provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on potential health effects of exposure to certain biological, chemical, and environmental agents associated with the 1991 Gulf War, including depleted uranium.  Read Gulf War and Health: Updated Literature Review of Depleted Uranium.

 

Toxic Embedded Fragments Registry – An embedded fragment (also called ‘shrapnel’) is a piece of metal or other material, such as plastic, that stays in the body after exposure to a blast or other similar traumatic incident.  The word “toxic” means that these fragments are made from potential harmful materials.

These Veterans may be eligible for clinical care at the Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

Veterans who served in the following locations during the following periods are eligible for participation in the Toxic Embedded Fragments Registry:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Operation New Dawn

And have or likely have embedded fragments as the result of injury received while serving in an area of conflict.

Future Burn Pit Registry – VA is establishing a registry for eligible veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The new registry may enhance VA’s ability to monitor the health effects of exposure.

VA is working to meet the one-year time frame for creating the registry as required by a law signed Jan. 10, 2013.  VA will announce how to sign up once the registry is available. The registry will keep veterans informed about studies and treatments.

If you are concerned about your exposure, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.

For Additional Information and Assistance

If you are interested in any of the above health registries you should contact an Environmental Health Coordinator at any VA medical facility.  A listing of Environmental Health Coordinators is available online at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp.

Information is also available through VA’s Special Issues Helpline at 1-800-749-8387.

For the Toxic Embedded Fragments Registry, ask for the OEF/OIF Clinical Coordinator at your nearest VA medical facility.

Please remember that a VA Health Registry Examination is not the same thing as filing a claim for VA benefits such as compensation or pension.  Although a Health Registry Examination is not necessary to file a VA claim for benefits the results from the examination can be used to support your claim.

The fact of the matter is that if you are interested in Health Registry Examinations and you are not service connected you should speak with a qualified representative such as an accredited service officer.  You may obtain additional information from our website at vetsfirst.org.  You may also want to investigate our Knowledge Books at http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=76 and you may also ask us a question through Ask VetsFirst at http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=request.