Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: 2026 Update

The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (“Burn Pit Registry”) is a VA database that combines veteran and service member data to help researchers study the health effects of burn pit exposure . In August 2024, the VA redesigned the registry to automatically enroll over 4.7 million eligible veterans and service members based on DoD records, eliminating the need for a lengthy questionnaire .

What Is the Burn Pit Registry?

The Burn Pit Registry is a research tool that enables VA to identify and study health challenges affecting the entire veteran and service member population exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during military service . It was created in 2014 under Public Law 112-260 .

Purpose of the Registry

• Fuels groundbreaking research into health effects of toxic exposures
• Informs VA decisions related to presumptive conditions
• Enables more precise predictive medicine and proactive veteran care

Important: Participation in the registry does not affect your VA health care or benefits eligibility .

2024 Redesign: Key Changes

The VA redesigned the registry in response to extensive veteran feedback and recommendations from the VA Office of Inspector General and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine .

Major Updates

If you enrolled in the original registry, you are automatically included in the redesigned version .

Who Is Automatically Included?

You are automatically enrolled if you served in certain locations during qualifying time periods :

Qualifying Locations and Time Periods

On or after August 2, 1990:

• Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, United Arab Emirates
• The Southwest Asia theater of military operations
• Egypt
• Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea
• Associated airspaces

On or after September 11, 2001:

• Afghanistan
• Djibouti
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen
• Associated airspaces

Qualifying Operations

• Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm
• Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Operation Enduring Freedom
• Operation New Dawn

How to Check Your Registry Status

If you are unsure whether you are included :

1. Visit the VET-HOME site at https://vethome.va.gov/inquiry
2. Select “Registry Eligibility” from the “Topic” dropdown menu
3. Select “Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit” from the “Registries” dropdown menu
4. Or contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator

How to Opt Out

Opting out is simple and has no consequences :

1. Go to https://vethome.va.gov/BurnPitRegistryOptOut/
2. Submit an opt-out inquiry

You can opt out at any time, and your decision will not affect your VA health care or benefits .

Data Privacy and Access

• No medical information is stored in the registry
• Registry includes: deployment locations, military personnel information, and demographics (gender, race, ethnicity)
• Data accessible only to select VA epidemiologists, researchers, and institutional review board-approved researchers
• Results will inform VA policy decisions, including those related to presumptive conditions

How the Registry Helps Veterans

While the registry does not affect your individual benefits, it plays a crucial role in:

• Fueling research that leads to new treatments for toxic-exposed veterans
• Informing decisions about future presumptive conditions
• Improving care for the veteran population as a whole

From VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal: “This redesign massively expands the registry and reduces the participation requirements for Veterans, paving the way for critical research in the coming years” .

FAQ: Veterans' Top Questions About the Burn Pit Registry

Does the Burn Pit Registry affect my VA disability claim?

No. Participation or opting out has no impact on your VA health care or benefits eligibility . To file a claim for toxic exposure, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 .

Do I need to do anything to join the registry?

No. If you are eligible based on DoD records, you are automatically included .

What if I served outside the listed locations?

If you served in other locations but believe you were exposed, you may still be able to file a claim. For registry eligibility, however, automatic enrollment is based on the specific locations and time periods listed above .

How do I opt out of the registry?

Visit https://vethome.va.gov/BurnPitRegistryOptOut/ and submit an opt-out inquiry .

I enrolled in the registry before 2024. Do I need to re-enroll?

No. If you enrolled in the original registry, you are automatically included in the redesigned version .

Is my medical information stored in the registry?

No. The registry does not store medical information .

How can I check if I’m included in the registry?

Visit the VET-HOME site (https://vethome.va.gov/inquiry) and select “Registry Eligibility” and “Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit” from the dropdown menus .

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA policies, forms, and rates change always verify current requirements and deadlines on the official VA.gov website. We strongly recommend working with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the DAV, VFW, or American Legion, or an accredited claims agent or attorney for assistance with your individual claim.