The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry is launching again with a new design. Also known as the Burn Pit Registry and AHOBPR 2.0, the database will be open for study by epidemiologists and researchers with the goal of identifying the health problems veterans suffer after being exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits, and to improve treatment. It's expected that 4.7 million veterans will be included in the registry.
Being listed in the registry won't have any impact on your benefits and health care (no personal medical information will be included), but the information gleaned from veterans and their experiences will go a long way to creating new and better treatments. And you don't even have to sign up. All veterans who served in specific locations during specific time periods will automatically be entered into the registry.
The information about each veteran will include demographics such as race and gender, as well as dates and locations of deployments.
If for some reason you don't want to participate and want to opt out, go to vethome.va.gov/BurnPitRegistryOptOut. Or if you previously opted out and want back in, you can do that at vethome.va.gov/inquiry. Use this link as well if you discover that you're not in the new registry. You can request a manual eligibility review via that link.
To see the locations and dates for participation eligibility, or to read more in depth about the redesigned registry, go to www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp.
A new VA program, as of June 2024, VET-HOME, uses free telehealth medical evaluations to help veterans who've had environmental exposures. Go online to vethome.va.gov and review the six registry programs to see if you're eligible, or call 833-633-8846 for more information. If you have a DS Logon, ID.me or Login.gov account, you can sign in and chat with someone or schedule your free telehealth evaluation. Remember that many veterans are eligible for more than one registry.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
