Every Veteran’s service is unique. Your experience depends on several factors, including your age, where you served, under what conditions, how long you served, your background and much more. Your journey is your own, and your health care should reflect your individual needs.
If your service during a specific time or in a specific location has impacted your health, reach out for the support you deserve.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) understands that your service plays a part in what health care benefits you’ll need. Whether it’s mental health services, drug treatment plans, therapy for a service-connected injury or something else, VA offers a wide variety of services to meet your specific needs. VA also knows that certain health concerns may be more likely to affect Veterans who served in a specific time and place.
Below, you will find an overview of different military operations and wars along with the health risks associated with them. The links provided offer more details about the particular health risks, steps you should take if you’ve been affected and information on your eligibility for disability compensation.
To determine if your health has been impacted by when and where you served, check out the information below.
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
October 7, 2001 – present
Potential health risks include:
- Health problems caused by sand, dust, burn pit smoke and depleted uranium
- Injuries from extreme heat or cold such as numbness, heat stroke and more
- Injuries related to shrapnel and other materials embedded in your body
- Injuries related to explosions such as concussions, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss and more
- Illnesses caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, Q fever, West Nile Virus or rabies
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Side effects from Mefloquine, a drug used to protect against malaria
Iraq War—Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn
March 19, 2003 – December 15, 2011
Potential health risks include:
- Health problems caused by sand, dust, burn pit smoke, depleted uranium, sulfur fire, chemical warfare agents and chromium
- Injuries caused by extreme heat such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion
- Injuries related to shrapnel and other materials embedded in your body
- Injuries related to explosions such as concussions, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss and more
- Illnesses caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, Q fever, West Nile Virus or rabies
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Side effects from Mefloquine, a drug used to protect against malaria
Gulf War—Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm
August 2, 1990 – present
Potential health risks include:
- Health problems caused by sand, dust, oil well fires, depleted uranium, chemical and biological weapons, Chemical Agent Resistant Coating paint and pesticides
- Injuries caused by extreme heat such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion
- Injuries related to shrapnel and other materials embedded in your body
- Injuries related to noise including hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Illnesses caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, Q fever or West Nile Virus
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Side effects from vaccinations or an anti-nerve agent pill
1945 – 1991
Potential health risks include:
- Illnesses or injuries caused by radiation, mustard gas or herbicides such as Agent Orange
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Injuries related to noise including hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Illnesses caused by contact with hazards found in certain projects and locations such as The Atsugi Waste Incinerator, Fort McClellan, Camp Lejeune and more
November 1, 1965 – April 30, 1975
Potential health risks include:
- Diseases related to Agent Orange
- Hepatitis C
- Injuries related to noise including hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953
Potential health risks include:
- Injuries caused by extreme cold such as skin cancer in frostbite scars or pain and numbness in your fingers or toes
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Injuries related to noise including hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945
Potential health risks include:
- Injuries related to noise including hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Illnesses or injuries from ionizing radiation (a type of radiation exposure)
- Hazards related to your job such as exposure to radiation, paints and chemicals
- Injuries caused by extreme cold such as skin cancer in frostbite scars or pain and numbness in your fingers or toes
- Illnesses caused by mustard gas
Additional Information
- VA offers additional information about specific illnesses and injuries related to chemical or hazardous material exposure, such as conditions linked to toxic embedded fragments, illnesses related to radiation exposure, Agent Orange-related illnesses and more.
- If you want to know more about your VA health care benefits, your health care team and where to go for care, you can call toll-free at 877-222-8387 or visit the website.
- If you aren’t sure if you qualify for VA health care, learn more about your eligibility and how to apply.
Getting the right care is important for each of us. If your service during a specific time or in a specific location has impacted your health, reach out for the support you deserve.