An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
To learn how the lapse in appropriations affects your TRICARE benefit, visit 
tricare.mil/shutdown.

Local News | Aug. 6, 2024

Burn Pit Registry Redesign Auto Enrolls Participants and Simplifies Requirements

By Ken Cornwell, MHS Communications

The Department of Veterans Affairs is advancing efforts to address issues associated with military-related toxic exposure by launching a redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, known as the Burn Pit Research Registry.

“This tool is a significant improvement in making data available in a way that better serves all those who were exposed to burn pits and other hazards,” said Dr. Lester Martínez-López, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

The registry is a secure database of health information provided by veterans and service members to help the VA better understand, research, and improve treatment for certain health challenges veterans experience following exposure to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service.

According to the VA, no medical information will be stored in the registry, and veteran and service member data will be accessible only to select VA epidemiologists and researchers, and institutional review board-approved researchers. It will be used to conduct research on the cohort over a period of time. The results will inform the policy decision-making efforts of VA executive leaders, including those related to presumptive conditions.

“Being part of the registry is a way for individuals to help and improve our understanding of the challenges faced by service members and veterans affected by these exposures,” Martínez continued.

The VA first developed the Burn Pit Registry in 2014 to help service members and veterans document potential exposure to airborne hazards while deployed overseas.

The new version of the registry incorporates extensive veteran feedback, expands participation criteria, automatically includes participants in the registry, and simplifies participation requirements. It paves the way for critical research in the coming years.

Additionally, the registry will now include more than 4.7 million veterans and service members who meet participation criteria based on Department of Defense records.

Veterans and service members automatically included in the registry will be those who, according to DOD records, served in the military campaigns or theater of operations listed below during the designated time frame:

  • Operations and Campaigns: Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Iraqi Freedom; Enduring Freedom; and New Dawn
  • Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Egypt between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 2021
  • Somalia since Aug. 2, 1990
  • Southwest Asia theater of military operations and Egypt any time after Aug. 2, 1990
  • Afghanistan, Djibouti, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen any time after Sept. 11, 2001
  • Associated airspaces with the countries listed above as well as the waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea

This list is in addition to those who were based or stationed at a location on or after Sept. 11, 2001, where an open burn pit was used in Afghanistan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Egypt, or Syria.

Importantly, participating in or opting out of the registry does not impact nor determine eligibility for veterans’ individual VA health care or benefits. Those who do not wish to participate in the registry can opt out by completing this online form.

According to Dr. Shereef Elnahal, under secretary for health at the VA, the list will serve as a catalyst for advancing new and innovative treatments for veterans.

“The Burn Pit Registry is fueling groundbreaking research and enabling VA’s ability to identify and proactively address health challenges that toxic-exposed veterans face at a population level.”

If you are a veteran seeking screening, health care, or benefits for toxic exposures, visit the VA.gov/PACT site or call 1-800-MYVA411.

For more about airborne hazards and available benefits, visit the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry resource page.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 

U.S. and Japan flags. Text reads: "Health Care Finder Services for Eligible DOD Civilians"

Department of War extends health care supplement...

Local News
Sep. 29, 2025

The Department of War today announced the extension of the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian...
Read More
ScriptCenter kiosk with instructions panel that says 'ScriptCenter is Easy to Use'

McDonald Army Health Center Enhances Access With...

Local News
Sep. 19, 2025

McDonald Army Health Center is expanding prescription services for the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community...
Read More
Image of kissing bug. Text reads: "THE KISSING BUG: The triatomine bug. Contact a healthcare professional if you have been bitten by a kissing bug."

Not All Kisses Are Sweet

Local News
Sep. 09, 2025

Kissing bugs can carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that causes the potentially fatal Chagas disease.
Read More
Uniformed service members hug and hold flowers standing in front of ship.

Get Support from the Military Health System 'At ...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

The Military Health System has many resources to support your mental health. Therapy is one tool proven to...
Read More
Image of person using laptop to visit findDHA tool.

The Search Is Over! Defense Health Agency Unveil...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

The Defense Health Agency launched a new online, interactive tool, findDHA, which allows users to search for...
Read More
Hands holding cell phone open to "Sports Betting" app. TV in background showing football game says, "Learn Safe Gambling Strategies."

Learn Safe-Gambling Strategies: Avoid Negative I...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

Research indicates certain factors associated with military service increase the risk for gambling problems...
Read More
Shadowy image of five soldiers standing outside next to a tank in the dark. Text reads: "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength."

Identifying Warning Signs of Suicide on Social M...

Local News
Sep. 02, 2025

If someone you know makes comments about suicide or expresses emotional pain online, always take them...
Read More
Uniformed service member climbing obstacle outdoors

USARIEM Researchers Find Potential Genetic Marke...

Local News
Aug. 26, 2025

The biomarker for stress adaptability could lead to new ways to treat stress disorders like PTSD.
Read More

Sept. 29, 2025

Department of War extends health care supplement pilot for civilian employees in Japan

The Department of War today announced the extension of the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian Employees in Japan, reaffirming the department’s commitment to improving access to medical care for its overseas workforce, and adding interpreter support.

Sept. 19, 2025

McDonald Army Health Center Enhances Access With New ScriptCenter

McDonald Army Health Center is expanding prescription services for the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community with the installation of a new ScriptCenter kiosk at the Post Exchange refill pharmacy. The kiosk allows patients to pick up refill prescriptions after normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, providing a convenient option for beneficiaries with demanding schedules.

Sept. 9, 2025

Not All Kisses Are Sweet

Kissing bugs can carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that causes the potentially fatal Chagas disease.

Sept. 3, 2025

Get Support from the Military Health System 'At the Moment You Need it Most'

The Military Health System has many resources to support your mental health. Therapy is one tool proven to work. Whether it’s in-person, virtual, or group therapy, or other tools needed during a crisis — mental health support sustains military readiness.

Sept. 3, 2025

The Search Is Over! Defense Health Agency Unveils findDHA — a Dynamic, Online Search Tool

The Defense Health Agency launched a new online, interactive tool, findDHA, which allows users to search for DHA locations around the globe. Finding a DHA facility has never been easier.

Sept. 3, 2025

Learn Safe-Gambling Strategies: Avoid Negative Impacts to Health, Finances

Research indicates certain factors associated with military service increase the risk for gambling problems among those actively serving and for those who served. While gambling is generally considered recreational, it can adversely impact military personnel, their families, and unit readiness. A way to reduce the harm that can result from gambling is to practice safe gambling techniques.

Sept. 2, 2025

Identifying Warning Signs of Suicide on Social Media

If someone you know makes comments about suicide or expresses emotional pain online, always take them seriously. Whether it's a single post or multiple, do not ignore them.

Aug. 26, 2025

USARIEM Researchers Find Potential Genetic Marker for Resilience

The biomarker for stress adaptability could lead to new ways to treat stress disorders like PTSD.

Aug. 22, 2025

Eat pink for breast cancer prevention

Breast cancer follows skin cancer as the second-most common cancer among women in the United States. Many people wear a pink ribbon or pink clothes to raise breast cancer awareness. Let’s put another spin on bringing awareness to breast cancer prevention — eat pink! Let's explore how eating colorful, antioxidant-rich foods can support breast cancer prevention.

Aug. 19, 2025

Tick Talk: Prevention and Protection

There are several types of ticks that transmit diseases to humans, the most common ones are blacklegged ticks that transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.