For thousands of veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones, exposure to burn pits was part of daily life. These massive open-air incineration sites were used to dispose of everything from medical waste and plastics to paint, fuel, and even human waste. With few regulations and little protective gear, many service members unknowingly inhaled a toxic cocktail of fumes day after day.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, burn pits released harmful pollutants such as dioxins, benzene, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter—substances known to be hazardous to human health. At the time, there was little acknowledgment of the potential long-term consequences. Today, the stories are starting to connect.
Many veterans began returning home with persistent symptoms—severe headaches, brain fog, forgetfulness, irritability, and mood shifts. While some were diagnosed with conditions like PTSD or depression, others found themselves in a diagnostic gray area. Their symptoms didn’t fit neatly into any category. What many didn't realize was that these invisible symptoms were signs of traumatic brain injury (TBI)—not from a physical blow to the head, but from the unseen damage caused by toxic exposure.
Unlike a visible wound or battlefield injury, the neurological effects of burn pit exposure often don’t present themselves immediately. Veterans might not notice symptoms until months—or even years—after returning home. The challenge lies in how these symptoms mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Yet the cognitive decline, emotional dysregulation, and memory lapses many experience are increasingly being linked to the neurotoxic effects of burn pit exposure.
In 2023, a groundbreaking study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) added scientific weight to what many veterans had already been saying. The study showed that prolonged exposure to burn pit smoke caused neuroinflammation and brain degeneration in lab models. This damage was most severe in areas of the brain that control memory, learning, and emotional regulation—key functions often impaired in veterans reporting post-deployment neurological symptoms.
These findings mark a shift in how we understand burn pits—not just as a respiratory threat, but as a potential catalyst for long-term brain injury.
The reality for many veterans is that they were exposed to toxic substances every single day without fully understanding the risk. Now, years later, they are piecing together the connection between their wartime environment and the neurological challenges they face today. As the research evolves, so too does the call for accountability, screening, and support.
And while Warriors Fund does not offer clinical services, we believe knowledge is power. By shining a light on the link between burn pit exposure and brain injury, we hope to empower veterans to advocate for their health, pursue the benefits they deserve, and connect with others who understand the path they’re walking.
When most people hear the term traumatic brain injury, they picture a direct blow to the head—perhaps from an explosion, a fall, or a vehicle accident. And while those causes remain common in military service, researchers are now paying closer attention to a new kind of TBI—one that doesn’t stem from physical impact, but from toxic exposure.
Veterans who inhaled fumes from burn pits often describe long-term cognitive issues: difficulty concentrating, trouble with memory, emotional outbursts, and extreme fatigue. These symptoms frequently overlap with those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading many cases to be misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely. But the neurological damage associated with burn pit exposure follows a distinct path—one rooted in environmental toxicity, not psychological trauma alone.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded its research into the effects of airborne hazards on brain health, emphasizing the importance of early detection and evaluation. As our understanding of toxic brain injury grows, so does the urgency to distinguish it from other conditions—because treatment strategies and benefits eligibility depend on getting the diagnosis right.
For years, veterans endured their symptoms without validation. But a growing body of research is now uncovering how inhaled toxins—especially fine particulate matter from burn pits—can enter the bloodstream, bypass the blood-brain barrier, and settle into brain tissue.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine examined the effects of burn pit smoke on the central nervous system. The results were striking: researchers observed elevated levels of neuroinflammation, as well as damage to neurons in areas of the brain responsible for cognition, decision-making, and mood regulation.
In some cases, brain scans of affected veterans revealed structural abnormalities:
These findings provide concrete evidence to explain what many veterans have been feeling for years—and may ultimately shape the future of how the VA evaluates and treats these injuries.
In past decades, many veterans faced difficulty when applying for VA disability benefits related to burn pit exposure. Without “visible” injuries or a definitive link, claims were often denied. But that landscape is beginning to change.
The VA’s Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry was created as a way for veterans to self-report exposure and health concerns. It’s a critical tool in identifying patterns and helping researchers connect the dots between deployment-related hazards and long-term illness.
What was once anecdotal is now being acknowledged through policy shifts. With new data and advocacy efforts, the system is starting to recognize that exposure-related brain injuries are real, measurable, and compensable.
For veterans who served in areas where burn pits were common—such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Southwest Asia—taking the first step toward recognition starts with the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry.
By enrolling, veterans:
Even if you’re not currently experiencing symptoms, joining the registry builds an important foundation for your health records—and could support future claims or care.
The symptoms of burn pit-related TBI often develop gradually and can be mistaken for stress, aging, or unrelated health problems. Veterans and their families should be alert to subtle changes that may indicate neurological damage, such as:
These aren’t just random issues—they could be indicators of toxic exposure affecting the brain. Speaking up early and pursuing evaluation is vital.
If you’re concerned, speak with your VA provider and request a comprehensive neurological assessment. You can also learn more about symptoms at the VA’s Brain Injury Research page.
In 2022, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law—marking one of the most significant expansions of VA healthcare in decades. It adds burn pit exposure and neurological conditions to the list of presumptive service-connected illnesses. This means veterans no longer have to prove that their TBI or related symptoms were directly caused by burn pit exposure—it’s now assumed under the law for eligible service members.
You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply by visiting the VA’s PACT Act resource page.
Veterans are also encouraged to get a Toxic Exposure Screening at their local VA clinic. These screenings are now available to all enrolled veterans and are designed to identify symptoms linked to environmental hazards—without requiring previous diagnoses or documentation.
At Warriors Fund, we believe in supporting veterans not only through programs and partnerships, but also by raising awareness about critical health challenges that often go unnoticed. While we do not offer direct medical care, we are committed to sharing resources, connecting veterans with accurate information, and fostering the conversations that lead to action and healing.
If you or someone you know has been affected by burn pit exposure, you're not alone. Advocacy, science, and policy are finally catching up to what veterans have known all along: these invisible wounds are real—and they deserve recognition, care, and justice.
Together, we stand behind every veteran navigating this journey. Because at Warriors Fund, honoring your service means standing by your side—long after the smoke has cleared.
