A Reliable Resource for Veteran-based Health Care Information
Diseases Common to Veterans
Toxic Exposures
As part of their military service, many veterans have been exposed to a variety of chemical, physical, and environmental hazards. Several of these hazards can leave long-lasting and debilitating effects, with a broad range of symptoms. A list of the most commonly sighted military exposures, as well as additional insight regarding each, is provided below. If you cannot find the topic you’re looking for, a more extensive and searchable list of exposures can be found here.
Diseases & Conditions
Being the nation’s first line of defense often means coming in contact with a variety of diseases and conditions. Often times, veterans suffer silently to maintain a decent quality of life while living with these illness, while others may not understand how to explain their affliction. A list of the most common diseases and conditions experienced by veterans, as well as additional insight regarding each, is provided below. If you cannot find the topic you’re looking for, a more extensive and searchable list of exposures can be found here.
War Service Information
If you or a family member served during a major international conflict, there are several conditions and contributing factors that you should know about. Click on a conflict from the list below to learn more about the factors that may have had an impact on the livelihood of its veterans.
Commonly sighted military exposures
Agent Orange
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used by the U.S. military for control of vegetation. Link
Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
Certain illnesses are associated with Gulf War service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations from August 2, 1990 to present. Link
Burn Pits
“Airborne hazard” refers to any sort of contaminant or potentially toxic substance that we are exposed to through the air we breathe. Link
Radiation
There are two broad types of radiation, non-ionizing and ionizing. Ionizing radiation sends out extremely high energy, which may pose a health risk. Link
Camp Lejeune
From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water. Link
Exposure Topics A-Z
If you cannot find the topic you’re looking for, a more extensive and searchable list of exposures can be found here.
Common diseases and conditions
Agent Orange-Related Diseases
VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Link
Viral Hepatitis
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leads the country in hepatitis screening, testing, treatment, research and prevention. Link
HIV/AIDS
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leads the country in HIV screening, testing, treatment, research and prevention. Link
Ebola Virus Disease
Several cases of Ebola have been reported in the U.S. Link