Cross & York Editorial
Burn Pits in Afghanistan: Locations, Toxic Exposures, and VA Claims
By Rick Gregory, Legal Specialist
TL;DR
- Hundreds of thousands of veterans who served in Afghanistan were exposed to open-air burn pits at major bases including Bagram Airfield, Kandahar Airfield, FOB Salerno, and dozens of forward operating bases.
- Burn pits burned chemicals, metals, medical waste, and unexploded ordnance, sending toxic smoke into the air around service members living and working nearby.
- The PACT Act (Public Law 117-168), signed August 10, 2022, created a presumption of exposure for post-9/11 veterans who served in Southwest Asia, including Afghanistan.
- Covered conditions include respiratory cancers, constrictive bronchiolitis, sleep apnea, sinusitis, GERD, and many others.
- If you were deployed in Afghanistan and are now dealing with a chronic illness, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Contact us or call (202) 934-2954 for a free case evaluation.
Hundreds of thousands of service members were stationed near burn pits in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. They breathed in smoke containing a mix of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, dioxins, and particulate matter every day. Many are now dealing with serious respiratory conditions, cancers, and other chronic illnesses that can be traced back to that exposure. This post covers where burn pits were located in Afghanistan, which health conditions are linked to that exposure, and how to file a VA disability claim under the PACT Act.
Burn Pits in Afghanistan: Background and Context
Burn pits were large open-air waste disposal sites used on U.S. and coalition military installations throughout Afghanistan and other parts of Southwest Asia. The military used them to dispose of nearly everything generated on a base: food waste, human waste, chemicals, paint, petroleum products, medical and infectious waste, unexploded ordnance, plastics, metals, and more.
These pits sometimes burned around the clock, covering nearby living quarters, dining facilities, and work areas in a thick layer of smoke. Service members had limited ability to avoid exposure. Burn pits were treated as a standard, accepted way to manage waste on deployed bases for most of the post-9/11 era.
The smoke produced by burn pits contained benzene, dioxins, furans, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. Research has increasingly linked that kind of exposure to long-term respiratory damage and cancer.
Burn Pits Afghanistan: Where Were They Located?
Afghanistan had some of the largest and most active burn pits of the post-9/11 era. Every major installation had at least one. Smaller forward operating bases and combat outposts often had their own as well. The table below covers the most significant known military burn pit locations in Afghanistan.
| Base / Installation | Province / Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bagram Airfield (BAF) | Parwan | Largest U.S. base in Afghanistan; burn pit operated for most of the war |
| Kandahar Airfield (KAF) | Kandahar | Second-largest base; major burn pit used for years before partial closure |
| FOB Salerno | Khost | Significant burn pit activity near the Pakistan border |
| Camp Leatherneck / Camp Bastion | Helmand | Marine-operated base in southern Afghanistan; burn pit and dust exposure |
| FOB Sharana | Paktika | Operated in eastern Afghanistan throughout much of the conflict |
| FOB Shindand | Herat | Western Afghanistan base with documented burn pit use |
| FOB Orgun-E | Paktika | Smaller eastern base with known burn pit operations |
| Camp Phoenix | Kabul | Training and logistics hub near the capital |
| FOB Lagman | Zabul | Southern base with waste disposal via burn pit |
| FOB Ghazni | Ghazni | Centrally located; hosted burn pit operations |
| FOB Tarin Kowt | Uruzgan | Coalition base in southern Afghanistan |
| FOB Fenty / Jalalabad Airfield | Nangarhar | Eastern base near the Pakistani border |
| FOB Mehtar Lam | Laghman | Operated in Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan |
| Camp Eggers | Kabul | Kabul-area base with documented waste disposal activities |
This list covers the most well-documented installations. Many smaller patrol bases and combat outposts across all 34 provinces also used burn pits or open-air waste burning as a matter of routine. If you were deployed in Afghanistan and lived or worked near an area where waste was burned, your exposure is likely covered under the PACT Act.
You can also register your exposure history with the VA's Airborne Hazards registry at VA.gov.
What health conditions are linked to burn pit exposure?
A wide range of conditions have been associated with burn pit and airborne hazard exposure. The PACT Act established presumptive service connection for many of them, meaning you no longer have to prove a direct link between your exposure and your diagnosis.
Respiratory cancers (presumptive under PACT Act):
- Lung cancer
- Tracheal cancer
- Bronchial cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Pharyngeal cancer
- Sinonasal cancer
Other cancers (presumptive under PACT Act):
- Glioblastoma and other head cancers
- Kidney cancer
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lymphatic cancers
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Reproductive cancers
Respiratory and pulmonary conditions:
- Constrictive bronchiolitis (a serious and often underdiagnosed condition)
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Chronic bronchitis
- COPD and emphysema
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
Other conditions frequently claimed by Afghanistan veterans:
- Rhinitis (chronic inflammation of the nasal passages)
- Sinusitis
- Sleep apnea
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Asthma diagnosed after service
Many veterans have multiple conditions from this list. Each condition may support a separate VA disability rating, which affects the total compensation you receive. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions and served in Afghanistan, it is worth reviewing your eligibility under the PACT Act.
Burn Pits Afghanistan: Does the PACT Act Cover You?
Yes, for most post-9/11 Afghanistan veterans, the PACT Act provides substantial protection. Here is what you need to know.
Who is covered: The PACT Act (Public Law 117-168), signed on August 10, 2022, covers veterans who served in covered locations on or after September 11, 2001. Afghanistan is a covered location. Veterans who served there are presumed to have been exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards without needing to prove specific exposure incidents.
What the presumption means: Before the PACT Act, veterans often had to gather service records, buddy statements, and independent medical opinions to prove their illness was connected to burn pit smoke. The presumption removes that burden. If you served in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, and have a covered condition, VA is required to presume the connection.
Previously denied claims: If you filed a VA claim for a burn-pit-related condition before the PACT Act passed and were denied, you can file a supplemental claim. The change in law is considered new and material evidence that can reopen a prior denial. This is one of the most important provisions for Afghanistan veterans.
Reservists and National Guard members: Guard and Reserve members who deployed to Afghanistan on Title 10 orders are covered under the PACT Act the same as active-duty veterans. The key is that the deployment was to a covered location.
If you are unsure whether your service history and current conditions qualify, a VA-accredited attorney can review your records at no cost. Cross and York offers free case evaluations. Our fee is capped at 20% of past-due benefits only, and there is no fee on initial claims.
How do you file a VA claim for burn pit exposure?
Step 1: Gather your service and medical records
Start by collecting your DD-214 or other separation documents, which confirm your deployment locations and dates. You will also need current medical records showing your diagnosis. If you have not yet seen a doctor for your symptoms, scheduling that appointment is the right first step. The VA will need a current diagnosis to evaluate your claim.
You do not need to prove exactly which burn pit you stood next to. Proof of service in Afghanistan during a covered period is the core requirement under the PACT Act.
Step 2: File your claim through VA.gov or with help from a representative
You can file a VA disability claim online through VA.gov using the standard VA Form 21-526EZ. When completing the form, identify each condition you are claiming and note your Afghanistan deployment. If you have a previously denied claim, file a supplemental claim (VA Form 20-0995) instead.
Veterans who are not comfortable filing on their own can get free help from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the DAV, VFW, or American Legion. These organizations have accredited claims agents who can assist you at no charge.
If your case involves a previously denied claim, a complex medical history, or a rating you believe is too low, a VA-accredited attorney can provide stronger representation. Cross and York charges no fee on initial claims and limits fees to 20% of past-due benefits on appeals.
Step 3: Attend your C&P exam and track your claim status
After you file, VA will likely schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam with a VA or contract examiner. This exam determines the severity of your condition and its link to your service. Be honest and thorough. Describe your worst days, not just how you feel on the day of the exam.
Track your claim status at VA.gov or through the VA mobile app. If your claim is denied or you receive a rating you believe is too low, you have the right to appeal. The appeals process has multiple lanes, including a higher-level review, a supplemental claim, and a Board of Veterans' Appeals hearing.
If you need help at any stage, call Cross and York at (202) 934-2954 or free case evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I was exposed to burn pits in Afghanistan?
If you were deployed to any base or forward operating base in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, VA presumes you were exposed to airborne hazards including burn pits. You do not need documentation of standing next to a specific pit. Your deployment orders and DD-214 confirming Afghanistan service are sufficient to establish the geographic presumption under the PACT Act.
Can I still file a claim if I was deployed years ago?
Yes. There is no deadline to file an initial VA disability claim for a burn-pit-related condition. However, the effective date of your benefits is generally tied to when you file, not when you were exposed or when your condition developed. Filing sooner typically means more past-due benefits if your claim is approved. Veterans with prior denials should file a supplemental claim as soon as possible.
What if my burn pit claim was already denied?
A prior denial is not the end of the road. The PACT Act changed the legal standard, and that change qualifies as new and material evidence for a supplemental claim. Many veterans who were denied before August 2022 have had their claims approved after refiling. A VA-accredited attorney can review your denial letter and records to advise you on the strongest path forward.
Do I need a lawyer to file a burn pit claim?
No. You can file on your own through VA.gov, or get free help from a VSO. A VA-accredited attorney becomes most valuable when a claim has been denied, when the rating is being disputed, or when the case involves multiple complex conditions. If you do work with an attorney, make sure they are VA-accredited. By law, attorney fees are capped at 20% of past-due benefits and cannot be charged on initial claims.
What is the VA burn pit registry?
The VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry is a voluntary database where veterans can record their exposure history. Registering does not file a disability claim or guarantee benefits, but it creates a record that may support future claims. You can register at VA.gov. Signing up also connects you with VA research and health monitoring programs.
If you served near burn pits in Afghanistan and are now dealing with a chronic illness, you do not have to navigate the VA claims process alone. Cross and York is a VA-accredited law firm based in Washington, DC. We review burn pit cases at no charge and only collect a fee on past-due benefits if we win your appeal.
Call us at (202) 934-2954 or visit our contact page to get started. There is no fee unless past-due benefits are recovered.
Cross & York is a VA-accredited law firm authorized to represent veterans before the Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 CFR § 14.629. Contingent fees apply only to past-due benefits awarded on appeal and are capped at 20% in accordance with 38 CFR § 14.636. No fee is charged for representing veterans on initial claims. Address: 1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.