Navigation VA to Research Link Between PFAS Exposure and Kidney Cancer
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has initiated a scientific assessment to investigate the potential link between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during military service and the incidence of kidney cancer among Veterans. Mandated by the PACT Act, this evaluation aims to determine whether kidney cancer should be classified as a presumptive service-connected condition for Veterans exposed to PFAS. PFAS are a group of over 12,000 chemicals used in the military since the early 1970s. The VA’s assessment will follow National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine guidelines, considering peer-reviewed scientific literature, Veteran claims data, and other relevant information. Even if a condition is not officially recognized as presumptive, the VA assesses claims individually and can grant disability compensation if sufficient evidence links the condition to military service. When a condition is deemed presumptive, eligible Veterans are not required to prove that their military service caused their illness; instead, the VA presumes the service exposure led to the disease and provides benefits accordingly.
This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding benefits and services for Veterans exposed to toxic substances. It aligns with the President’s Unity Agenda and the Biden Cancer Moonshot goals to address environmental exposures and combat cancer. Under the PACT Act, the VA has expedited healthcare and benefits eligibility, extending presumptive conditions to include various cancers such as head, neck, gastrointestinal, reproductive, lymphoma, pancreatic, kidney, and melanoma, as well as hypertension for Vietnam Veterans. Since the PACT Act became law, the VA has recognized over 300 new presumptive conditions, including male breast cancer, urethral cancer, and cancer of the paraurethral glands. “At the VA, our mission is to understand the health challenges Veterans face so we can provide all the benefits they deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This review process may allow us to classify kidney cancer as a presumptive condition for those exposed to PFAS, reducing the burden of proof for these Veterans. However, Veterans should not wait for the outcome of this review to apply for the benefits and care they are entitled to. If you believe your military service has affected your health, we encourage you to apply for VA care and benefits today.”
The VA prioritizes processing claims for Veterans with cancer and offers comprehensive cancer care services nationwide, from screening to treatment. Since the PACT Act was signed, the VA has provided over $7 billion in disability compensation benefits to more than one million Veterans and their survivors. In the same period, nearly 740,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare, and over 5.6 million have been screened for toxic exposures. The VA is inviting public comments on the proposed scientific assessment through the Federal Register, with a 30-day window for input. Additionally, a listening session will be held on November 19, 2024, to gather research and feedback. Interested parties can register to participate. The public is also welcome to suggest other conditions that might benefit from review for potential service-connection.
