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Iraq / Southwest Asia (Gulf War + OIF/OEF)

Middle East Region 📅 1990-present

What Happened Here

Service in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, and surrounding waters/airspace. Widespread burn pit use for waste disposal, oil well fires, depleted uranium, and other airborne hazards.

Known Exposures

Burn Pits Oil Well Fire Smoke Depleted Uranium Sand/Dust Particulates
Burn Pits
Open-air pits burned plastics, chemicals, medical waste, and other trash.
Source: PACT Act
Oil Well Fire Smoke
Oil well fires produced dense smoke and particulate exposure across the theater.
Source: PACT Act
Depleted Uranium
Damaged vehicles and munitions created depleted uranium exposure concerns.
Source: PACT Act / DoD Exposure Concern
Sand/Dust Particulates
Persistent airborne dust and particulates contributed to respiratory exposure.
Source: PACT Act

✅ Presumptive Conditions

No nexus letter needed!

These conditions are presumptive — the VA assumes they are connected to your service at this location. You only need to prove you were there during the qualifying dates.

Condition Diagnostic Code Notes
✅ Asthma DC 6602 Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Brain cancer — PACT Act presumptive cancer for qualifying airborne hazard exposure.
✅ COPD — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Chronic bronchitis DC 6600 Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Chronic fatigue syndrome DC 6354 Presumptive condition for qualifying Southwest Asia service.
✅ Chronic multisymptom illness — Qualifying chronic disability rules may also apply.
✅ Chronic rhinitis DC 6522 Use applicable rhinitis diagnostic code based on diagnosis.
✅ Chronic sinusitis DC 6510 Use applicable sinusitis diagnostic code based on sinus affected.
✅ Constrictive bronchiolitis — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Emphysema DC 6603 Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Fibromyalgia DC 5025 Presumptive condition for qualifying Southwest Asia service.
✅ Gastrointestinal cancer (any type) — PACT Act presumptive cancer category.
✅ Glioblastoma — PACT Act presumptive cancer for qualifying airborne hazard exposure.
✅ Granulomatous disease — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Head cancer of any type — PACT Act presumptive cancer category.
✅ IBS DC 7319 Irritable bowel syndrome is presumptive for qualifying Southwest Asia service.
✅ Interstitial lung disease — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Kidney cancer — PACT Act presumptive cancer for qualifying airborne hazard exposure.
✅ Lymphatic cancer of any type — PACT Act presumptive cancer category.
✅ Lymphoma of any type — Includes Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnoses.
✅ Melanoma DC 7833 PACT Act presumptive cancer for qualifying airborne hazard exposure.
✅ Neck cancer of any type — PACT Act presumptive cancer category.
✅ Pancreatic cancer — PACT Act presumptive cancer for qualifying airborne hazard exposure.
✅ Pleuritis — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Pulmonary fibrosis — Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.
✅ Reproductive cancer of any type — PACT Act presumptive cancer category.
✅ Respiratory cancer of any type — Includes lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea.
✅ Sarcoidosis DC 6846 Presumptive respiratory condition under the PACT Act.

What This Means For Your Claim

✅ Presumptive Conditions

You only need to prove you were at this location during the qualifying dates. No nexus letter needed. The VA presumes the condition is connected to your service. File directly and cite the applicable presumptive authority (PACT Act, Camp Lejeune Justice Act, etc.).

⚠️ Associated Conditions

You may still qualify, but you will likely need additional evidence — a nexus letter from a medical provider, treatment records, and documentation of your exposure. A VSO or VA-accredited attorney can help build the strongest case.

Were you at Iraq / Southwest Asia (Gulf War + OIF/OEF)?

If you served here during the qualifying dates, you may be eligible for benefits.

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