Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing battle a simulated aircraft fire with Aqueous Film Forming Foam. (Photo: U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Amber Powell)
The VA has announced plans to investigate the connection between kidney cancer and exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs, which are often found on military bases.
PFAs, among a group of compounds referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, have been used for over 50 years in products like firefighting foam and water-resistant clothing. These chemicals have been linked to various health issues, including testicular cancer and thyroid disease. The VA’s research could result in kidney cancer being classified as a presumptive condition for Veterans exposed to PFAs, streamlining the process for affected individuals to receive health care and disability benefits.
If kidney cancer is added to the list of presumptive conditions, Veterans would no longer need to prove a direct link between their military service and their illness, reducing the lengthy application process for benefits. This would mark the first time PFAs exposure is formally connected to any service-related health condition, although Veterans can currently apply for benefits on a case-by-case basis. The VA already provides presumptive benefits for kidney cancer linked to other toxic exposures, such as those from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan or at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
This new review is part of a broader effort to address toxic exposure among Veterans, initiated by the passage of the PACT Act in 2022.
The PACT Act allows the VA to independently establish service-related presumptive conditions by analyzing available research. Since its implementation, the VA has recognized over 300 conditions related to toxic exposures, including cancers such as breast cancer and leukemia.
In a statement, VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of the review, stating that it will help ensure that Veterans receive the benefits they deserve. He encouraged Veterans with kidney cancer or other illnesses to apply for benefits immediately, without waiting for the outcome of the investigation.
The VA has scheduled a public listening session for November 19 to gather input on the study and will accept comments through the Federal Register. While the timeframe for the review remains unclear, Veterans and advocates are pushing for timely results to address the potential health risks associated with PFAS exposure.
The Department of Defense has been ordered to phase out firefighting foam containing PFAs by October 2025, though these chemicals remain widespread at military installations. Cleanup efforts are underway, but with PFAs contamination identified at over 700 sites, the process is complex and expected to cost billions of dollars.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
