The VA recently introduced a revamped version of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, commonly known as the Burn Pit Registry. This database compiles data from Veterans and service members to enhance the VA’s understanding, research, and treatment of health issues linked to exposure to airborne hazards and burn pits during military service.
It’s important to clarify that participating in the registry does not affect your VA healthcare or benefits. However, it significantly contributes to the VA’s efforts to better understand and address the health challenges faced by the Veteran community. The following FAQs will provide clarity on the registry’s updates, their potential impact on you, and your role in the registry.
What is the registry’s purpose?
The Burn Pit Registry serves as a crucial tool for the VA to identify and investigate health issues experienced by Veterans and service members exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service.
The insights gained from this research will eventually drive advancements in treatments, guide the creation of policies for presumptive conditions, enhance predictive medicine, and support the delivery of targeted and preventive care.
Why did the VA redesign the registry?
In response to extensive feedback from Veterans and service members, the VA made changes to the registry to reduce the participation burden significantly. The eligibility criteria have been expanded, and approximately 4.7 million Veterans and service members will now be included through automatic enrollment based on Department of Defense records, with an easy opt-out option for those who prefer not to participate.
How do I know if I’m included in the registry?
If you were already enrolled in the registry before the redesign, your information will be automatically transferred to the new system. Veterans or service members who served in eligible locations during specified periods will also be automatically included, even if they are deceased.
You can check the eligibility criteria on the Burn Pit Registry webpage. To confirm your inclusion, you can contact your local Environmental Health Coordinator.
Why should I participate in the registry?
While your participation in the registry does not impact your personal care or benefits, it plays a vital role in a research tool that helps the VA identify and study health issues across the entire Veteran and service member population. This is an opportunity for the current generation of Veterans and service members to help improve care and benefits for future generations.
Will my decision to participate in or opt-out of the registry affect my VA healthcare or benefits?
No, your choice to participate or opt-out will not affect your healthcare or benefits. Being included in the registry is not the same as enrolling in healthcare or applying for benefits.
How can I opt out if I don’t want to participate?
Although participation is encouraged, opting out is straightforward. Visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage to submit an opt-out form. There are no penalties for opting out, and you can do so at any time.
What specific data from the DOD and VA will be included in the registry?
The registry will compile information on deployment locations, military personnel details, and demographics, including gender, race, and ethnicity. No medical information will be stored in the registry.
Who will have access to the registry data, and how will it be used?
Access to the registry data will be limited to select VA epidemiologists, researchers, and institutional review board-approved researchers. The data will be used for ongoing medical and public health research. The findings from these studies will influence healthcare and policy, particularly in relation to presumptive conditions.
For additional inquiries, visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage or reach out to your local Environmental Health Coordinator.
