What’s considered a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA)?

• A TERA includes any activity that requires a corresponding entry in the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) or another exposure tracking record system.
• Additionally, VA has determined that Veterans who were exposed to one or more of the following hazards or conditions during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training participated in a TERA, regardless of their geographic location.
• Air pollutants (burn pits, sand, dust, particulates, oil well fires, sulfur fires).
• Chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded shrapnel, contaminated water).
• Occupational hazards (asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints including chemical agent resistant coating, firefighting foams).
• Radiation (nuclear weapons handling, maintenance and detonation, radioactive material, calibration and measurement sources, X-rays, radiation from military occupational exposure).
• Warfare agents (nerve agents, chemical and biological weapons).

This is not a comprehensive list, and there’s no deadline to apply. Veterans can view additional military exposure categories on VA’s Public Health website at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/.

LINKS:

https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/chemical-hazardous-materials-exposure/

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/specific-environmental-hazards/

Toxic Exposure Screenings

Toxic exposure screenings are available at VA health facilities across the country.

Every Veteran enrolled in VA health care will receive an initial screening and a follow-up screening at least once every 5 years. Veterans who are not enrolled and who meet eligibility requirements will have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening.

The screening will ask you if you think you were exposed to any of these hazards while serving:

• Open burn pits and other airborne hazards
• Gulf War-related exposures
• Agent Orange
• Radiation
• Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure
• Other exposures

We’ll then give you information about any benefits, registry exams, and clinical resources you may need. Ask about the screening at your next VA health care appointment. If you don’t have an upcoming appointment, or if you want to get the screening sooner, contact your local VA health facility. Ask get screened by the toxic exposure screening navigator.