The VA’s Airborne Hazards & Open Burn Pit Registry, referred to as the “Burn Pit Registry” or “the registry”, is a critical tool that is advancing research through combining Veteran and service member data. The registry enables VA to identify and research health challenges of Veterans and service members who were exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service. Over time, the knowledge gained through this research will be used to fuel advancements in treatments, more precise predictive medicine, inform decisions related to presumptive conditions, and deliver targeted proactive and preventative care.
While participation in the registry does not impact an individual’s care or benefits, Veterans and service members who participate are helping to improve the care and benefits for generations of Veterans and service members to come.
On August 1, 2024, the VA and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced critical updates to the registry including: the broadening of participation criteria; clear opt-out procedures; and automatic inclusion procedures based on DOD records that vastly expand the number of participating Veterans and service members.
For more details on the registry, including why it was changed from its former format, how to opt-out if you were automatically enrolled, or eligibility criteria, visit the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry page.
