May 2022
Nine New Cancers Added to the Presumed Service Connected List Related to Particulate Matter
In late May, VA announced the addition of nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to exposure to fine particulate matter for veterans who served any amount of time in:
- Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria or Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War, from Sept. 19, 2001 to the present or
- The Southwest Asia theater of operations from Aug. 2, 1990 to the present.
VA is taking a new approach to making decisions on presumptives, one that takes all available science into account, with one goal in mind – getting today’s veterans, and vets in the decades ahead, the benefits they deserve as fast as possible.
VA identified, through a focused review of scientific and medical evidence, a biological plausibility between airborne hazards, specifically particulate matter, and carcinogens of the respiratory tract; the unique circumstances of these rare cancers warrant a presumption of service connection.
Veterans and survivors who had claims previously denied for any of these respiratory cancers are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits;
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx;
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea;
- Adenocarcinoma of the trachea;
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea;
- Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung;
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung;
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung;
- Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung and;
- Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.
VA will contact impacted veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and it will provide information on how to apply.
Provided by Blake Hyfield. Blake Hyfield is the post service officer for the local VFW and American Legion posts. He can be reached at bhpegleg@yahoo.com.