03-03-2022, 03:50 AM
The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing disability claims 2 AUG for asthma, rhinitis and
sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in
Southwest Asia and certain other areas — if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying
period of military service. VA conducted the first iteration of a newly formed internal VA process to review
scientific evidence to support rulemaking, resulting in the recommendation to consider creation of new
presumptions of service connection for respiratory conditions based on VA’s evaluation of a National
Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report and other evidence.
The process concluded that particulate matter pollution is associated with chronic asthma, rhinitis and
sinusitis for Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990 to the
present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001 to the present. VA’s review
also concluded that there was sufficient evidence to presume that these Veterans have been exposed to
particulate matter. “I announced my intent to initiate rulemaking on 27 MAY to consider adding respiratory
conditions to the list of chronic disabilities,” said Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
“Through this process I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to establish presumptions of
service connection for these three respiratory conditions. This is the right decision, and VA will continue
to use a holistic approach in determining toxic exposure presumptives moving forward.”
The Southwest Asia Theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between
Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of
Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the airspace above these locations from Sept. 19,
2001 to the present. VA will conduct outreach to impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about
their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply. Veterans and survivors who believe they
may be eligible for the newly established presumptive conditions are encouraged to apply. They should file
a VA Form 21-526EZ if applying for the first time or a VA Form 20-0995 if they are reapplying for these
conditions.
For more information on the new presumptive conditions, visit VA’s website Airborne Hazards and
Burn Pit Exposures at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure.../index.asp. To apply for
benefits, Veterans and survivors may visit https://www.va.gov or call toll-free at 800-827-1000. You can
view the interim final rule at www.regulations.gov.
sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in
Southwest Asia and certain other areas — if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying
period of military service. VA conducted the first iteration of a newly formed internal VA process to review
scientific evidence to support rulemaking, resulting in the recommendation to consider creation of new
presumptions of service connection for respiratory conditions based on VA’s evaluation of a National
Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report and other evidence.
The process concluded that particulate matter pollution is associated with chronic asthma, rhinitis and
sinusitis for Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990 to the
present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001 to the present. VA’s review
also concluded that there was sufficient evidence to presume that these Veterans have been exposed to
particulate matter. “I announced my intent to initiate rulemaking on 27 MAY to consider adding respiratory
conditions to the list of chronic disabilities,” said Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
“Through this process I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to establish presumptions of
service connection for these three respiratory conditions. This is the right decision, and VA will continue
to use a holistic approach in determining toxic exposure presumptives moving forward.”
The Southwest Asia Theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between
Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of
Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the airspace above these locations from Sept. 19,
2001 to the present. VA will conduct outreach to impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about
their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply. Veterans and survivors who believe they
may be eligible for the newly established presumptive conditions are encouraged to apply. They should file
a VA Form 21-526EZ if applying for the first time or a VA Form 20-0995 if they are reapplying for these
conditions.
For more information on the new presumptive conditions, visit VA’s website Airborne Hazards and
Burn Pit Exposures at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure.../index.asp. To apply for
benefits, Veterans and survivors may visit https://www.va.gov or call toll-free at 800-827-1000. You can
view the interim final rule at www.regulations.gov.