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Chronic Lung Disease in Veterans
If you or a loved one are a veteran of the Vietnam War, Gulf War, or post-9/11 eras and have been exposed to toxic substances like burn pits, sulfur fire, desert dust, or waste incinerator pollutants, you may be at risk for chronic lung disease—a disorder that affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system—such as pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Did you know?*
More than
5 MILLIONveterans were exposed to burn pits in the last three decades
More than
1.6 MILLIONveterans screened for toxic exposure experienced at least 1 potential exposure
Prevalence rate of ILD
in veterans
from 2010-2019 and
incidence rates more than
doubled
More than
139,000veterans have already been
diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
(IPF), a common type of ILD
For more information about potential toxic exposures, download this helpful
resource from Veterans Affairs.
* Based on July 2023 data
What is ILD?
ILD refers to a group of over 200 disorders. It describes the development of inflammation and/or scarring of the lungs, commonly called pulmonary fibrosis. This scarring continues to worsen over time and may be irreversible. Every journey with ILD is unique. Talk to your healthcare provider about what may be right for you.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or a persistent dry cough, talk to your healthcare provider. Find out more about ILD and its progression.
Common symptoms
of
ILD:
SHORTNESS
OF BREATH
OF BREATH
FATIGUE
PERSISTENT
DRY COUGH
DRY COUGH
How is ILD diagnosed?
The earlier an accurate diagnosis is made, the earlier you and your healthcare provider can evaluate your management options.
The first step toward diagnosing, managing, and understanding ILD and its progression is visiting a healthcare provider who specializes in lung diseases, also known as a pulmonologist.
Every diagnosis is different. Talking with your doctor to determine how your body may be affected by lung scarring is a key step in your treatment plan.
Service-related lung diseases
Veterans may be eligible to take advantage of the PACT Act—a law that expands Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare to cover more than 20 presumptive conditions for toxic exposures experienced during service, including chronic lung diseases such as PF and ILD.
Through the PACT Act, veterans can receive an initial screening plus a follow-up screening for chronic lung disease at least once every five years. Veterans who meet the eligibility requirements and are not currently enrolled in VA healthcare may also have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening. When making an appointment, be sure to mention that you'd like to be screened by the toxic exposure screening navigator.
Looking for more information and details about the PACT Act?
Already diagnosed with chronic lung disease?
If you’re a veteran who has already been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease like ILD, talk to your doctor about managing progression.
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