Burn Pits 360 To Participate in House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Roundtable

July Newsletter Burn Pits 360 To Participate in House Subcommittees' Burn Pits Roundtable Burn Pits 360 was invited by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health and Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs to participate in a joint roundtable discussion on July 18th. The roundtable, titled "Burn Pits and Potential Toxic Exposures: Establishing Links to Benefits and Health Care," discussed the barriers to VA healthcare and benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits in service, and VA's procedures for processing disability compensation claims for conditions related to burn pit exposure. We will provide updates on the roundtable conversation as the discussion was not broadcast for the public. We also prepared a video campaign leading up to the event. We were proud to participate in the discussion to advocate for veterans who were exposed and shed light on the issues they face. Photos Show US Military Still Using Burn Pits An article published on July 12, 2018 shows photos of thick, black smoke rising into the air near Camp Taji, Iraq. This smoke is all too familiar to those veterans who returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan with respiratory problems and cancers. The article quotes a US Army soldier who said that the pits are used "as many as five times a week" and are fewer than 400 yards from their barracks. The photos show that the US military is still putting soldiers at risk, even after many have come forward with severe health conditions as a result of their exposure. KBR Burn Pits Lawsuits Will Not Move Forward, Court Rules On June 20, 2018, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that dozens of lawsuits against KBR, a government contractor that operated burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, would not move forward. The Court ruled that since KBR was a military contractor, its decisions regarding burn pits were de facto military decisions, and military decisions are not appropriate for judicial review. The 4th Circuit's ruling agreed with a previous ruling from a lower court that held that courts are not equipped to rule on political questions. The ruling marks a blow for those who experience health problems due to burn pits and burn pit advocates. Burn Pits 360 Executive Director Rosie Torres was quoted in a Fox News article regarding the ruling, saying that the court's decision means Burn Pits 360 and other advocates will now have to turn their efforts towards Congress and the President.   Sign the Burn Pits 360 Letter to the President We ask you to sign the Burn Pits 360 letter to the President asking him to take action on 9 issues that would help those experiencing health problems due to burn pit exposure. Download and sign the letter here.   Donate to Burn Pits 360 We ask that you help support our mission by giving whatever you are able to. We need to continue fighting for the men and women who fought for our country and were exposed to burn pits, but we need your help. Click here to donate to our cause: https://burnpits360.kindful.com/  Take Action to Prove the Connection Between Burn Pit Exposure and Illness by Participating in the Burn Pits 360 Registry Research Study The Burn Pits 360 Registry is a research study, collecting data on burn pit exposures and related illnesses.  The goal is to prove the connection between burn pit exposure and illness.  Before now, this information was only available to the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.  So far, over 5,000 individuals have participated.  Your data will enable Burn Pits 360 to advocate and lobby on behalf of the veteran community for VA benefits, policy change, and specialized health care. To participate, visit us on our website here. PARTICIPATE NOW

Study Shows Link Between Exposure to Particulate Matter and Diabetes A recently released study shows a link between exposure to particulate matter (PM) 2.5, fine particles found in the air, and an increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus type 2. The study followed US veterans with no history of diabetes for a median of 8.5 years and found that the risk of diabetes increased substantially when exposed to PM2.5 above 2.4 μg/m3, and a 10·0 μg/m3 increase further increased this risk. PM2.5 is already associated with increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. Countries and regions that are less developed and are undergoing economic development experience more air pollution and these areas will likely see an increase in incidences of diabetes. The study could impact veterans who were exposed to burn pits as burn pits are known to have emitted particulate matter, exposing service members who lived or worked near them. Burn Pits 360 Honors a Soldier Each month, Burn Pits 360 honors a fallen solider. Colonel David McCracken served in the US Army Reserves for 30 years. He was diagnosed with Glioblastoma shortly after returning home from Iraq, and passed away in September of 2011. Legal Help for Veterans Disability Benefits:  If VA has denied your disability compensation claim, assigned you the wrong impairment rating, or if you are entitled to an earlier effective date, contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick for assistance.  CCK is also experienced at helping eligible veterans get VA benefits for special monthly compensation (SMC) or total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).  Contact CCK toll free at 844-291-8569 or visit CCK online at https://cck-law.com. Donate to Burn Pits 360 Burn Pits 360 Needs You!  The success of our mission depends on the generosity of individuals like you.  We ask you to consider a monthly donation to help us advocate for our community and its needs. DONATE TODAY! Connect with us on Facebook Burn Pits 360 is community of veterans with burn pit-related illness, their families, and advocates with the common goal of exposing the harms of toxic burn pit exposure and obtaining benefits and policy change. Join us. Like us on Facebook! Meet the Burn Pits 360 Team Founder: CPT (Ret.) Le Roy Torres Executive Director: Rosie Torres Secretary: Tammy McCracken Program Manager: Will Wisner Legislative Liaison: Cindy Aman Director of Development:Daniella Molina Advocates Advisory Board Diane Slape (Texas) Rocio Alvarado (California) Advisory Board Ret. Colonel David Sutherland Dr. Steven Coughlin Ret. Lt. Col. Gregg Deeb Dr. Robert Miller Ret. Lt. Col. Brian Lawler Kerry Baker Solomon Ortiz Jr., former Texas House of Representatives, District 33 Solomon Ortiz Sr., former Congressman for the 27th District of Texas SFC Geoffrey Dardia Dr. Daniel Brewer

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