Interim Final Rule-Presumptive Service Connection for Rare Respiratory Cancers Due to Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the addition of nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of conditions presumed to be service-connected due to military environmental exposure to fine particulate matter.

 

VA determined through a focused review of scientific and medical evidence there is biological plausibility between airborne hazards, specifically particulate matter, and carcinogenesis of the respiratory tract, and that the unique circumstances of these rare cancers warrant a presumption of service connection.

 

Based on these findings, VA published an interim final rule establishing presumptions of service connection for several rare respiratory cancers for certain Veterans. These cancers include:

 

•             Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx;

•             Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea;

•             Adenocarcinoma of the trachea;

•             Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea;

•             Aden squamous carcinoma of the lung;

•             Large cell carcinoma of the lung;

•             Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung;

•             Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung; and

•             Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.

 

The rarity and severity of these illnesses, and the reality that these conditions present a situation where it prompted us to take action. We are utilizing a new approach, one that takes all available science into account, with one goal in mind— getting today’s Veterans—and Veterans in the decades ahead—the benefits they deserve, as fast as possible. We are fulfilling our promises to provide more care, more benefits and more services to more Veterans than ever before.

 

VA focused its rule on the rare respiratory cancers above for Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and other locations. VA invited and will consider public comments as part of this process.

 

VA focused its rule on the rare respiratory cancers for Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and other locations. VA invited and will consider public comments as part of this process.  VA will contact impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about potential eligibility.

https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2022-VBA-0014-0001