Due to different environments, situations, or assignments, many veterans, during their active service, are potentially at risk of varying potential health conditions because of probable exposure to toxic substances.
But these conditions vary, and in an attempt to classify and confirm different military base toxic exposure veterans disability benefits, the VA released TERA — otherwise known as Toxic Exposure Risk Activities.
Understanding its implications, contexts, and scope plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility, and if you’re unsure how to proceed, you can seek guidance from a disability benefits education service or a VA claim consulting firm to gain clarity and direction.
Yet despite being released for more than a year, veterans who need help with VA disability claims are still unaware of the contents of the TERA memorandum. So, what exactly is the TERA memorandum?
Understanding TERA
Definition and Scope
The VA TERA is a way for the VA to properly classify the type of hazardous chemical veterans were potentially exposed to, and to properly safeguard veterans’ health, serving as an official acknowledgment of the health repercussions a veteran is most likely to develop during their active service.
Exposure can range from chemicals, pollutants, radiation, and occupational hazards — military bases, chemical usage, or improper waste disposal — and biological weapons.
Historical Context
The PACT ACT — Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act —is an act to expand and help veterans acquire VA benefits, especially those exposed to toxic substances during service.
True to this initiative, the VA implements regular reviews and updates to ensure that they address the ongoing health concerns of veterans. Some of the updates from this research include the addition of presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange (conditions such as hypothyroidism, Parkinsonism, and bladder cancer were included since 2021), water contamination at Camp Lejeune, and burn pits.
Part of the PACT ACT is the VA TERA presumptive conditions, derived from the VA’s growing awareness of potential health concerns experienced by veterans from exposures to different toxins. It is now an integral part of helping the VA evaluate claims associated with these risks and guarantee a secure and proper acquisition of VA benefits for veterans.
Common Types of Toxic Exposures
Some common types of toxic exposures include:
- Agent Orange
- Burn Pits
- Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
- Sulfur Fires
- Pesticides
- Depleted Uranium
- Asbestos
- Air pollutants
- Mustard Gas
- Nerve Agents
- Project 112/Project SHAD
- Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs)
Health Implications of TERA
Toxic exposures tied to TERA can lead to serious long-term health conditions, including:
- Respiratory Disorders
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Asthma
- Constrictive Bronchiolitis
- Dermatological conditions
- Chloracne
- Cancers
- Bladder Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Respiratory Cancers
- Brain Cancer
- Heart and Neck Cancer
- Glioblastoma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Chronic B-cell Leukemias
- Various Neurological Conditions
- Autoimmune Diseases
Many of these illnesses may develop slowly, sometimes decades after discharge. Undergoing TERA assessment — or TERA risk assessment—is, therefore, critical to help immediately confirm your conditions.
The PACT Act and Its Impact on TERA
The PACT Act, signed in 2022 and continually updated through research, has expanded its list of presumptive conditions related to toxic exposure. By incorporating TERA, the legislation can make it easier for veterans to qualify for benefits and help with the immediate and proactive acknowledgment of their conditions, whether they are in a non-combat situation or volunteer services.
The PACT Act helps develop:
- Thorough healthcare for affected veterans
- Develop more comprehensive research on the effects of each exposure.
- Improve the overall VA process of the PACT ACT.
Upon being signed in 2022, along with the constant updates and research, the PACT Act has expanded its list of presumptive conditions related to toxic exposure. By incorporating TERA, this can make it easier for veterans to qualify for benefits and help with the immediate and proactive acknowledgement of their conditions whether they are in a non-combat situation, or volunteer services.
The act helps develop:
- Thorough healthcare for affected veterans
- Develop a more comprehensive research of the effects of each exposure
- Improve overall VA process of PACT ACT
The TERA Memorandum
To qualify for TERA, you should provide documents, statements, and records confirming that you’ve participated in activities that left you exposed to toxic substances. You can then file a disability claim related to the PACT Act.
Upon filing a disability claim related to the PACT Act, the VA medical examiner will review a “TERA Memorandum.” A compilation of data and records was gathered by the team at a regional office.
The TERA memorandum will help the VA medical examiner determine occupational and environmental hazards before coming up with a conclusion about the veteran’s medical conditions.
In the event that your claim is denied due to the examiners finding from the memorandum, you can still secure this document and use this to seek outside or a second opinion from a private physician.
VA Benefits Related to TERA
Once your condition is confirmed to be related to TERA, you can be eligible for VA benefits, such as:
- Presumptive Conditions: These are illnesses the VA assumes are connected to your service, making your claim easier to prove.
- Healthcare Access: Even without a formal disability rating, you may qualify for VA medical care.
- Disability Compensation: Monthly payments based on your condition and how it affects your daily life.
- Supplemental Claims: New TERA-related evidence may reopen your case if you’ve already received a rejection.
Although you are confident that you have presumptive conditions due to exposure to different chemicals, the process for filing a VA disability claim may not be as linear, comprehensive, and easy.
Some details and information may still be difficult to understand, and some evidence may not warrant a disability claim, at least according to the VA’s standard.
Obtaining professional education from VA claim consulting firms like Just4Veterans can assist you in gathering the necessary documentation, requesting your TERA Memorandum, and building a stronger case.
Just4Veterans proudly supports the Veterans Plus Act (Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans), which aims to ensure that veterans continue to have access to essential services and benefits. This act complements initiatives like the PACT Act and TERA by safeguarding the rights and resources available to those who have served.
Don’t navigate this process alone. Book a free strategy call to directly reach our veteran coaches. You may also visit our VA claims consulting page to learn more about us.