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Old 10-12-2020, 03:40 PM
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Exclamation Update: Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans health issues

Update: Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans health issues
By: VA U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs - 04-30-20
Re: https://www.va.gov/health-care/healt...uring-freedom/

What you may not know:

Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans health issues

If you served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) any time after October 7, 2001, you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Learn about these conditions and what to do to take care of your health.

What health risks should I know about related to my service in Afghanistan?
You may be at risk of:

Health problems caused by toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials in the environment, like:

Sand, dust, and particulates: Tiny matter found in the air or;
Burn pit smoke: Smoke from open-air pits often used to get rid of waste (like chemicals, paints, munitions, and other substances) at military sites in Afghanistan - or;
Depleted uranium: Uranium used in military tank armor and some bullets
Injuries caused by:

Extreme cold: Health problems (like skin cancer in frostbite scars or pain, tingling, or numbness in the fingers and toes) caused by the effects of cold climates.

Extreme heat: Health problems (like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and sunburn) that can be caused by serving in hot desert climates.

Toxic embedded fragments: Shrapnel and other metals (some containing chemicals) that stay in your body after an injury and can cause injury at the site of the fragment or in other parts of your body.

Explosions: Explosions that can cause concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI), an injury to the head that affects the way your brain works.

Noise: Harmful sounds from guns, explosives, rockets, heavy weapons, jets and aircraft, and machinery that can cause or contribute to hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Illnesses caused by:

Infectious diseases: There are 9 infectious diseases related to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan military service. These are malaria, brucellosis, campylobacter jejuni, coxiella burnetii (Q fever), mycobacterium tuberculosis, nontyphoid salmonella, shigella, visceral leishmaniasis, and West Nile Virus.

Rabies: A disease that you get from a bite or contact with saliva from an infected animal
Occupational (job-related) hazards: Chemicals, paints, radiation, and other hazards you may have come in contact with through your military job

Side effects of Mefloquine (brand name: Lariam®): A drug given to military personnel to help protect against malaria (an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes)

What should I do now?
Take these steps to make sure you’re taking care of your health:

Join the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to document your exposures and health concerns.
Join the registry

Talk to your primary health care provider or your local VA environmental health coordinator about any health concerns related to your military service.
Find your local VA environmental health coordinator

If you have embedded fragments, ask about getting an exam through the Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center.

Download our Toxic Embedded Fragments fact sheet (PDF)

If you think you had contact with depleted uranium, ask about getting screened through the Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program.
Learn more about the Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program

Find out if you can get disability compensation (monthly payments) and other benefits if you have an illness or injury caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service.

See if you qualify for disability benefits due to:
Gulf War Illness from service in Afghanistan
Contact with hazardous materials

More information about your benefits
About VA health care coverage
Learn more about your VA health care benefits, your health care team, and where you’ll go for care.

Health care benefits eligibility
Not sure if you qualify? Find out if you can get VA health care benefits.

How to apply for health care benefits
Ready to apply? Get started now.
__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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