Noteboom The Law Firm

Burn Pits Causing Multiple Health Problems For Soldiers & Veterans

An article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently highlighted the role burn pits have played in contributing to thousands of veterans disability compensation claims. The burn pits were found all over Iraq, and were used to destroy a litany of products that should not have been burned, such as:

 

·      human waste;

·      plastics; and

·      chemicals.

 

Many soldiers were assigned the duties of either igniting the burn pits themselves, or keeping them constantly burning, which put them in direct proximity of the toxic smoke and fumes being put off. That smoke and those fumes have since been linked to multiple deadly cancers, blood diseases, and other illnesses.

One chemical found in the pits was benzene, which is a known cancer-causing chemical and one whose danger the military is very aware of given the events at Camp Lejeune. Many Iraq war veterans with illnesses presumably caused by the burn pits fear they are just starting an uphill battle, similar to that faced by Vietnam veterans with illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure.

Proving the root cause of an illness contracted due to military service, which implicates government wrongdoing, is not an easy thing, as has been shown by both Vietnam and Persian Gulf veterans. Although all Iraqi burn pits have been closed, others remain open in Afghanistan. Notwithstanding their imminent closing, for many soldiers the damage has already been done.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.