Veterans’ Health Matters

In this episode, Dr. Terra Vincent-Hall, Senior Toxicologist at the Exposure Science Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, shares her expertise in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  She discusses what PFAS are, various ways in which Veterans may have been exposed to PFAS, and steps healthcare providers can take to address any PFAS-related health concerns.  This discussion was recorded August 2023.  RESOURCES  PFAS - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances - Public Health (va.gov): Includes information on PFAS military exposures and associated health concerns    Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up | The National Academies Press: Provides guidance on PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up    Learn about PFAS | ATSDR (cdc.gov): CDC website on PFAS and PFAS exposure   Exposure Ed | VA Mobile: VA’s Exposure Ed App

In this episode, Dr. David Litke, Clinical Psychologist, shares his expertise in cognitive rehabilitation and treatment of military exposure related neurocognitive dysfunction as he discusses common neurocognitive concerns for Veterans with Gulf War Illness and possible treatments to explore. This discussion was recorded July 2023.  RESOURCES Gulf War Illness Factsheet for Providers:  gulf-war-illness-for-providers.pdf (va.gov)      Neuropsychological characteristics of Gulf War illness: A meta-analysis (Janulewicz et al., 2017)  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177121     Neuropsychological Findings in Gulf War Illness: A Review (Jeffrey et al., 2019)  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02088/full     eteran Self-Training:  https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/index.asp.    “Moving Forward” Course: Moving Forward: Overcome Life's Challenges - Veteran Training (va.gov)

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Danny McClung, Heath Physicist and Radiological Consultant for VA’s Post Deployment Health Services (PHDS), discuss radiation exposure incidents, the health implications of radiation exposure, as well as exposure-informed care and the resources available to Veterans.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 Ionizing Radiation Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/benefits/registry-exam.asp About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Radiation: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/index.aspVA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Danny McClung, Heath Physicist and Radiological Consultant for VA’s Post Deployment Health Services (PHDS), provides an overview of Radiation Exposure, the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, the Ionizing Radiation Health Registry, as well as specific incidents and clean-up efforts.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 Ionizing Radiation Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/benefits/registry-exam.asp  About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Radiation: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/index.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, highlights the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0, why it was redesigned, how the redesign impacts Veterans, as well as how the redesign benefits Veterans who may have been exposed.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.aspVA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

 Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, provide an overview of Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits, where and when these exposures are most likely to occur, how they are detected, what mitigation or protective measures are taken, the health effects of exposure, and the resources available to Veterans who may have been exposed.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Examine the recent History of Military Environmental Exposures from the Cold War to the PACT Act Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Eric Shuping, Director of Operations for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, discuss the recent history of Military Environmental Exposures, including the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq as well as the current initiatives to help those Veterans.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Explore the History of Military Environmental Exposures from the early examples of infectious disease to the technological advancements of World War I Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Eric Shuping, Director of Operations for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, provide an overview of Military Environmental Exposures, some early examples of infectious disease, and technological advancements of World War I that led to further environmental exposures.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

How are Chemical Warfare Agents managed and what care is exposure-informed care? Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Eric Shuping, Director of Operations for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, explain the effective management and mitigation of Chemical Warfare Agents as well as the exposure-informed care for Veterans who may have been exposed.   RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp About Chemical Warfare Agents: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/categories/warfare-agents.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

What are Chemical Warfare Agents and the health risks associated with them? Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Eric Shuping, Director of Operations for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, discuss Chemical Warfare Agents, their historical background, common misconceptions, and potential health risks.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp About Chemical Warfare Agents: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/categories/warfare-agents.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

How the Veterans Exposure Team – Health Outcomes Military Exposures (VET-HOME) program benefits Veterans and Healthcare Providers Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Anisa Moore, Director of the VET-HOME program, highlight how the Veterans Exposure Team – Health Outcomes Military Exposures (VET-HOME) benefits Veterans and Healthcare Providers. It explains how data collection and analysis contribute to improving treatment and care for Veterans as well as the resources and support available for Healthcare Providers.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Introduce Veterans to the Veterans Exposure Team – Health Outcomes Military Exposures (VET-HOME) program Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Anisa Moore, Director of the VET-HOME program, provide an overview of the VET-HOME program and discuss the resources available to Veterans including the free telehealth evaluations, geographical accessibility, and environmental health registry eligibility.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/ VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.asp About Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/ WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Military Exposures and Women’s Health In this episode, Dr. Maheen Adamson, Research Director of the WRIISC Women’s Center, and Dr. Jennifer Jennings, Clinical Director of WRIISC Women, discuss the new WRIISC Women’s Center, how military and environmental exposures impact women’s health, and resources and tips for providers working with female veterans.  RESOURCES WRIISC Women’s Operational and Military Exposure Network (WRIISC-WOMEN): Website coming soon   WRIISC VA Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/     VA Women’s Health Research Network: https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/centers/womens_health/whrn.cfm   WRIISC SharePoint on Military Exposures: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc  

Tips for Working with Veterans with Airborne Hazards Concerns In this episode, Dr. Anays Sotolongo, the Co-Director of the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, discusses the airborne hazards commonly encountered during military service, and describes a new toolkit available to guide the treatment of Veterans with airborne hazard exposure concerns.   RESOURCES Email to request hardcopies of the Deployment-Related Respiratory Disease Toolkit: VHAEASAirHazardsCoE@va.gov   VA Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/AHBPCE/index.asp   Post Deployment Cardiopulmonary Evaluation Network (PDCEN): https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/AHBPCE/network.asp   WRIISC Sharepoint: Military Exposures: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc   Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Eligibility Questionnaire: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/#page/home   War Related Illness and Injury Study Center website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/index.asp

This podcast was recorded March 2023.  On August 1, 2024, the VA and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) implemented updates to the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. You can find more information about these updates at the following link here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.aspRegistry Exams: What Clinicians and Healthcare Staff Need to KnowIn this episode, Dr. Michelle Robertson, Occupational and Environmental Medicine physician at the Department of Veteran Affairs New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (VA NJ WRIISC) and the Clinical Director of the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Center of Excellence, discusses need-to-know information about registry exams, including what the various registry exams are, and how registry exams can be a resource for Veterans with military exposure concerns.  RESOURCESVA Public Health Website on Environmental Health Registry Evaluations: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/benefits/registry-evaluation.asp   Environmental Health Clinician and Coordinator Directory: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp  WRIISC Module 1 Training - Assessing  Deployment Related Environmental Exposures: TRAIN: ID: 1070234 TMS: ID: 33195  VA’s Exposure Ed App: https://mobile.va.gov/app/exposure-ed  Helpful HandoutsCompensation & Pension Exam, Toxic Exposure Screening, and Registry Exams: What’s the Difference? VA Exam Screening Differences 

Quick Tips for Everyday Clinical Care of Veterans with Exposure Concerns In this episode, Dr. Drew Helmer, the Deputy Director of the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, joins Dr. Nicole Sullivan, Clinical Psychologist, to discuss tips for how clinicians, nurses, and healthcare providers can engage in every day clinical care of Veterans with exposure concerns.   RESOURCESLink to VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://www.healthquality.va.gov/  Factsheet on Airborne Hazards Concerns: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/airborne-hazards-concerns-info-for-veterans.pdf  Factsheet on Anthrax Vaccine: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/anthrax.pdf  Factsheet on Exposure to Asbestos: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/asbestos-exposure.pdf  Factsheet on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/education/factsheets/06022021-Chemical-and-Biological-Warfare-Agents-FAQs.pdf  Factsheet on Depleted Uranium (DU): https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/depleted-uranium.pdf  Factsheet on Gulf War Illness: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/gulf-war-illness-for-veterans.pdf

Tips for How Clinicians Can Talk with Veterans about Military ExposuresTune into this episode to hear Dr. Lisa McAndrew discuss practical tips for communicating with Veterans about their military exposure concerns, including suggestions for how to respond to traditionally difficult to answer questions.For more information on exposures and communication techniques, visit: The War Related Illness & Injury Study Center (WRIISC): https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/index.asp

How to Help Veterans with Military Exposures Receive the Benefits They DeserveListen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Katherine Bloeser, research scientist at the WRIISC and Assistant Professor of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, discuss how providers can speak with Veterans about presumptive conditions for Veterans with military exposure concerns, and how you can support veterans in submitting claims for service connection.    RESOURCESVeterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Website: https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/VBA Support: 1-800-827-1000 About VA Disability Ratings: https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/List of Recognized Veterans Service Organizations: https://www.va.gov/ogc/recognizedvsos.aspDisability Benefits Questionnaires: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.aspAccess to VHA Directive 1134(2): https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?pub=1VA’s Office of Public Health, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME): https://www.publichealth.va.gov/about/postdeploymenthealth/index.aspBenefits Overview for Military Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/benefits/index.aspVA’s Exposure Ed App: https://mobile.va.gov/app/exposure-edWar Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

An Introduction to the (WRIISC) War Related Illness and Injury Study Center In this episode, we welcome Dr. Helena Chandler, Acting Director of the NJ WRIISC, and welcome back Dr. Susan Santos, Director of Education and Risk Communication at the WRIISC, as they discuss the WRIISC including its nearly 20-year history and how WRIISC can best serve Veterans and their healthcare teams.To learn more about the War Related Illness & Injury Study Center (WRIISC) and what we are doing, visit our website at: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/

Wearable Technology Trends: What Gets Measured, Might Get Improved In this episode, Dr. Michael Falvo, Scientific Director of the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, and Matthew Watson, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, discuss how to measure or monitor personal exercise and physical activity, some advantages and disadvantages of doing so, and its importance to Veterans and clinical providers.The following resources referred to during the show, are found here:Exercise is Medicine: https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/support_page.php/provider-action-guide/CDC’s Guide on Target Heart Rate: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/heartrate.htmVA’s ESP Report on wearable technology: https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/MotionSensingTechnologies.cfmThe War Related Illness & Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Resources:https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/index.asp