What is the VA’s New Toxic Exposure Screening Test?
In September 2022, the VA announced that it would begin screening all patients for possible exposure to environmental hazards during military service. The very simple screening is part of a larger effort to understand the scope of the issue as well as a way to monitor veterans for any illnesses related to environmental hazards.
What is the Toxic Exposure Screening Test?
The VA says the screening is only a five minute process that involves a series of questions from a veteran’s primary care physician. These are the three questions asked during the screening:
1. Do you believe you experienced any toxic exposures, such as Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards, Gulf War-related exposures, Agent Orange, radiation, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, or other such exposures while serving in the Armed Forces?”
- Yes
- No
- Don’t Know
- Declines Screening
2. If Yes, do you believe you were exposed to any of the following while serving in the Armed Forces?
- Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards
- Gulf War-related exposures
- Agent Orange
- Radiation
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
- Other exposures
3. Does the Veteran or caregiver have follow-up questions?
- Health/Medical Questions
- Benefits/Claims Questions
- VA Health Care Enrollment and Eligibility Questions
- Registry Questions
- No questions at this time
Why is the VA doing the Toxic Exposure Screening Tests?
These screenings are a new requirement of the PACT Act and will be performed at least once every five years for every veteran. The results will be added to the veterans health records and also used to help the VA provide better care and research on combat toxins.
The purpose of this screening system is to ultimately enhance benefits for veterans who are already in the system. So far, the VA feels confident in their success.
On October 19, Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said they “had a very successful pilot. Over 13,000 veterans were screened with a very high ‘hit rate’ of veterans who expressed concern about a possible environmental exposure.”
We are Veterans Helping Veterans
The goal of our organization, the Veterans Legal Assistance Program, is to support both our active-duty and retired service members along with their families. We’ll keep you informed about the issues that affect you and your community, and we’ll connect you with people we trust.
We’ve got your six.
