Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
A free VA database where veterans can record exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards during service.
The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry is a free VA tool that lets veterans and active-duty service members document their exposure to open burn pits, sand and dust storms, oil-well fires, and other airborne hazards during deployments. Joining the registry creates a record of your exposure history and can help you and your VA provider talk about possible health effects. Joining is voluntary and does not by itself file a disability claim, but the information you record can support a future claim or research. After signing up online and completing a health questionnaire, you can request a free in-person evaluation at a VA medical center. Anyone who served in the Southwest Asia theater since August 2, 1990, or in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen on or after September 11, 2001 is eligible. The PACT Act made the registry even more important by expanding presumptive conditions tied to airborne hazards.
In real life
- A post-9/11 veteran joins the registry and lists every base where she saw burn pits.
- An active-duty service member completes the questionnaire and gets a free VA exposure exam.
- A Gulf War veteran's registry record helps support his later disability claim for chronic bronchitis.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
Is signing up the same as filing a disability claim?+
No. The registry is informational. To get benefits, file a separate disability claim at va.gov/disability/file-claim.
Who can join?+
Veterans and service members who served in covered Southwest Asia or post-9/11 locations.
Can I get a free health exam?+
Yes. After registering, you can request a free in-person evaluation at a VA medical facility.
Where do I sign up?+
At veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry.
Source: publichealth.va.gov