My husband served 3 separate deployments to areas on the burn pit registry, returning from his most recent deployment in 2022. He was seen in theatre on that deployment for respiratory issues with very poor air quality (Djibouti IYKYK). He has since been diagnosed with severe eosinophilic asthma. We filed a VA claim and quickly received 100% P&T for this one condition to give you an idea of how severe it is. He has had multiple episodes of respiratory failure.
His unit medical group is insistent he does not qualify for and kind of medical retirement because he is an ANG member and his asthma was not diagnosed while he was on active duty status. When he tried asking for an LOD it was completely shut down. He has no other risk factors for developing asthma and has never smoked or vaped. Is what he is being told accurate despite all indications his asthma was caused by burn pits during military deployments? Can you only get a line of duty determination for acute issues/ injuries which would be immediately diagnosed while on orders if you’re in the ANG? It’s crazy to me that the VA can find something is service connected and that same condition can end your military career just short of the finish line and be deemed not service related.
His unit medical group is insistent he does not qualify for and kind of medical retirement because he is an ANG member and his asthma was not diagnosed while he was on active duty status. When he tried asking for an LOD it was completely shut down. He has no other risk factors for developing asthma and has never smoked or vaped. Is what he is being told accurate despite all indications his asthma was caused by burn pits during military deployments? Can you only get a line of duty determination for acute issues/ injuries which would be immediately diagnosed while on orders if you’re in the ANG? It’s crazy to me that the VA can find something is service connected and that same condition can end your military career just short of the finish line and be deemed not service related.