PFAS "Forever Chemicals" & VA Claims

In this episode, we explore how PFAS exposure—commonly known as "forever chemicals"—may impact veterans and their VA disability claims. Found in firefighting foam (AFFF), contaminated water, and military bases, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health conditions like cancer, thyroid disease, and immune system disorders.

We break down what PFAS are, where veterans may have been exposed during military service, and how to build a strong VA claim for service-connected illnesses linked to PFAS. You'll also learn about ongoing federal research, recent VA policy developments, and the steps to take if you think your illness is related to toxic exposure.

📌 Topics Covered:

• What are PFAS and why they’re called “forever chemicals”
• Common sources of PFAS exposure in military environments (e.g., AFFF firefighting foam)
• Health conditions linked to PFAS: cancer, kidney disease, reproductive issues, more
• How to file a VA disability claim for PFAS-related illness
• What evidence is needed to support your exposure claim
• Role of VA nexus letters and medical records
• Current VA stance and legislative updates on PFAS and toxic exposure
• Resources for veterans seeking legal or medical support

• VA Toxic Exposure Information
• CDC Information on PFAS
• PFAS Exposure Registry and Veterans Resources

🎧 Listen Now:

If you or someone you know served on a base where PFAS exposure is likely, this episode is essential. We explain your options, how to start your claim, and where to find support.

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you found this episode helpful!

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Episode Transcript

Leah Bucholz (00:02):
Hey guys, it's Leah B from Prestige Veteran
Medical Consulting. I am a USArmy veteran, physician
assistant and formercompensation and pension
examiner. So welcome back. Iwanted to come on today and
break down some important topicsthat impact the veteran
community. And today we're gonnadive into a critical issue that
has affected many veterans andcountless service members and

(00:22):
their families, and that is PFASexposure on military bases.
So these forever chemicals havebeen linked to serious health
effects that we're gonna go overin a little bit and many
veterans may be eligible for VAdisability. So we're gonna talk
about what PFAS are, healthconcerns and how you can file a
VA disability claim with youraccredited legal professional if

(00:43):
you believe you have a disorderrelated to this exposure. So
what is PFAS or what are PFAS?So PFAS or Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are agroup of manmade chemicals that
have been used in variousindustrial and consumer products
since the 1940s. They'recommonly found in firefighting
foams, nonstick cookware, waterresistant clothing and more.

(01:06):
Because they don't break down inthe environment, they've been,
given that name foreverchemicals. So for military
members, we see, the biggestconcern coming from AFF or
aqueous firefighting foam, whichwas widely used on military
bases for fire suppression. Thisfoam has contaminated water
supplies on many bases leadingto long term exposures. So some

(01:30):
of those health risks of PFASexposure include a variety of
cancers. So there have been alot of studies out there that
have linked PFAS exposure tothings like kidney cancer,
testicular cancer, prostate,bladder, things like that, liver
damage, thyroid diseases,weakened immune systems,

(01:51):
reproductive issues, highcholesterol, heart disease
risks.
Many veterans who served atbases with known PFAS
contamination are nowexperiencing these conditions.
And the question is, does VArecognize these conditions and
these health effects and can youget compensation for PFAS

(02:11):
related illnesses? So let's talkabout the VA claims process in
just a minute. But if you'relooking for a more in-depth
information, there are severalkey research articles and
official resources that you canlook at to help you explore,
more about PFAS exposure inveterans. So let me get my list
out here.

(02:31):
So the VA's official PFASexposure page gives a breakdown
of affected basis and currentefforts, and that's at
Veterans guide has an excellentsummary of how veterans are
exposed in the push for newlegislation. DAV or disabled

(02:52):
American veterans issue a briefoutline that calls for
legislative changes to helpveterans affected by PFAS and
that's at dav.org. So VA isactively studying the link
between PFAS and kidney cancer.And there's a good article on
news.va.gov about that.

(03:15):
So you definitely have somethings that you can look out for
VA wise. So PFAS water expertsalso provide context on long
term health risks tied tomilitary related PFAS exposure,
which is that article can befound at
veterans exposed to toxic PFAS.So these sources are a great

(03:39):
place to start if you'reresearching or preparing to file
a claim. So how do veterans filea claim? So that's a really
great question as well.
So if you suspect that yourcondition is related to PFAS
exposure, you certainly canstart by talking to your doctor
about it to see if they agreethat this your testicular cancer
or whatever is related to PFASexposure. If they're certainly

(04:01):
willing to document that in yourmedical records that would be
helpful. You can look up to seeon va.gov if you were at any of
the bases with PFAScontamination or if you had an
MOS that handled AF quitefrequently. So you can gather
that medical evidence to includeany treatment records, any in

(04:22):
service documentation. Maybe youhad some training records that
showed that you handled PFAS oryou handled AFF quite a bit.
So if you wanna file a VAdisability claim, va.gov has a
great help doc that letsveterans step by step
instructions on how to filetheir own claim and different
things on the appeals aspect. Oryou can get with a accredited

(04:46):
legal professional. So you canget with a VSO, if you've been
denied before you can get with aaccredited legal, accredited
agent or an accredited attorney.They may be able to help you
with the appeal or new filingdepending on who you're talking
with and what they do. Va.govhas a big list of a searchable

(05:08):
list for you to find someonethat can help you with that.
So for current policies andfuture changes right now PFAS
related illnesses are not yet onthe VA's presumptive list, but
that could change. So Congressand veteran advocacy groups have
been pushing for greaterrecognition of PFAS related

(05:28):
disabilities. And it's importantto stay informed and up to date
on that so it can make it easierfor you as veterans and you
advocates that are watching. Iknow a lot of VSOs have told me
they've watched this, ourcontent for you guys to stay up
to date on this. So if you fileda claim and you've been denied
for, do not give up.
So many veterans are stillwinning their claims with the

(05:50):
support of those great legaladvocates out there. So PFAS is
really serious. And if you havecancer or another disorder
related to that, I'm very sorry.If your health hasn't been
impacted, take action and don'tjust sit around and say, well,
don't deserve these benefits,etcetera. File a claim or appeal

(06:12):
if you've been denied, if youbelieve that it's related to
your service.
And if you need assistance,reach out to those
professionals. Again, va.gov hasa great list of searchable
contacts that you can look forthat are accredited by the
Office of General Counsel. So Ihope you guys liked this video.
Please like and subscribe.Please drop some comments if you
guys have any questions.

(06:33):
And as always, thank you forwatching and I will talk to you
guys soon.