Combat Toxic Exposures

The history of military toxic exposures goes back to the use of poison darts and arrows. Current warfare toxic chemical exposures can cause immediate injury and death or “hidden wounds” that appear later with the potential to create long-term health damage and possible death. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (2025) has identified hazardous chemical and materials exposures and potentially exposure-related conditions or illnesses that may entitle the individual to disability compensation. (See: Exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials at Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals and Materials | Veterans Affairs). The VA website provides specific information as to the exposure hazards and potentially related health conditions and presumed/presumptive conditions. If you or your family member/friend has questions, please review the information on the VA website and contact them or talk with your CVSO-County Veteran Service Officer (or go to the NACVSO-National Association of County Veterans Service Officers at National Association of County Veterans Service Officers | NACVSO for more information.

The DAV-Disabled American Veterans DAV : Disabled American Veterans is instrumental in assisting veterans with toxic-exposures. Their website provides a searchable access to identify the DAV-Disabled American Veterans NSO-National Service Officer closest to your location (DAV Office Locator - Find Disabled American Veterans Near Me). They have developed an excellent infographic of military toxic exposures available at ETW_infographics_ALL.pdf, which includes some of the presumptive disorders/diseases related to the exposure.

Some of the warfare toxic chemical exposures include asbestos, Agent Orange, mustard gas or lewisite, and radiation-and there may be others that should be added to the list, so please ask our President, our government officials, and the Veterans Administration to identify and provide recognition for combat toxic exposure injuries and death.