The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes the unique challenges faced by veterans who served in Afghanistan. These challenges include exposure to burn pits, combat stress, and infectious diseases. To acknowledge these hardships and streamline the disability benefits process, the VA has established a list of presumptive conditions for veterans who served in Afghanistan.

Presumptive conditions are illnesses or injuries that the VA assumes are connected to a veteran’s military service. This eliminates the need for veterans to provide a direct link between their service and their condition.

Presumptive Conditions for Afghanistan Veterans

Here’s a breakdown of the three main categories of presumptive conditions for Afghanistan veterans:

1. Burn Pit-Related Conditions:

Burn pits were widely used in Afghanistan for waste disposal. The smoke from these pits contained a variety of harmful toxins, including chemicals, heavy metals, and particulate matter. Exposure to these toxins has been linked to several health problems, including:

• Respiratory illnesses: Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Chronic bronchitis, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• Cancers: Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, trachea, and esophagus; Adenocarcinoma of the trachea; Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea; Adenosquamous carcinoma
• Gastrointestinal conditions: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Peptic ulcers, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

2. Gulf War Syndrome:

Many veterans who served in Afghanistan also served in the Gulf War.  The VA recognizes a link between service in these regions and a cluster of unexplained illnesses known as Gulf War Syndrome. Symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome can vary widely but may include:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome: Extreme tiredness that interferes with daily activities and doesn’t improve with rest.
• Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Dyspepsia (indigestion), Abdominal pain syndrome
• Undiagnosed illnesses: These illnesses can include a variety of symptoms such as abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headaches, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances.

3. Infectious Diseases:

Veterans deployed to Afghanistan may have been exposed to various infectious diseases through contaminated food or water, insect bites, or close contact with infected individuals. The VA considers the following infectious diseases presumptive for veterans who served in Afghanistan if diagnosed within a year of separation from service:

• Brucellosis: A bacterial infection that can cause fever, fatigue, sweating, muscle pain, and joint pain.
• Campylobacter jejuni: A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
• Coxiella burnetii (Q fever): A bacterial infection that can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and pneumonia.
• Malaria: A parasitic infection that causes fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle aches, and nausea.
• Nontyphoid salmonella: A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• Shigella: A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• West Nile virus: A mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and rash.

Applying for Benefits:

If you served in Afghanistan and believe you may have a presumptive condition, you should contact your nearest VA medical center. The VA will conduct a medical examination and review your service records to determine your eligibility for disability benefits.

If You’ve Been Denied:

If you or a family member is a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict and has been denied benefits from the VA, you are not alone. Often, a VA benefits attorney can assist in ultimately helping you get approved for crucial benefits. 

Important Considerations:

• The list of presumptive conditions for Afghanistan veterans is subject to change as new medical research emerges.
• It’s important to note that even if your condition is not on the presumptive list, you may still be eligible for VA disability benefits if you can provide evidence that your condition is connected to your military service.
• If you have any questions about presumptive conditions or the VA disability benefits process, don’t hesitate to contact a veterans service organization or an attorney specializing in veterans’ law.

By understanding the presumptive conditions for Afghanistan veterans and the VA benefits available, you can take steps to ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve.