Busting misconceptions about toxic exposure screening

If you've had a VA health care appointment in the last year or so, your care team probably completed a toxic exposure screening. Even as the screening has become a routine part of VA health care, there are still some common misconceptions. Let's break down exactly what the screening is and what it isn't.

The basics

Developed as part of the 2022 PACT Act, the toxic exposure screening launched at VA medical centers and clinics nationwide in November 2022. Since then, millions of enrolled Veterans have received their screening and discussed potential exposure concerns with their health care providers.

The screening averages about 5-10 minutes and typically occurs during routine health care appointments. During your toxic exposure screening, you and a VA clinician will have a conversation about toxic exposures you may have experienced during your military service. The clinician may connect you to additional support and resources if you answer "yes."

As an enrolled Veteran, you will receive the screening at least once every five years. If you answer that you are unsure if exposures occurred, your care team will offer the screening every year to ensure your health has not been affected.

During your military service, you may have experienced several types of possible exposures or hazards, such as open burn pits and airborne hazards, Gulf War-related exposures, Agent Orange, radiation, Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure and others. Please view this map or visit this website to learn more about known potential exposures.

Now that we have the basics down, let's bust some common misconceptions.

Misconception vs. reality

Here are some common misconceptions around the screening and the reality to debunk them.

• Misconception #1: The toxic exposure screening is a comprehensive exam.
• Reality: The purpose of the toxic exposure screening is for enrolled Veterans to self-report potential exposures to toxins during their military service. Getting your screening starts a conversation about your exposure concerns, so that any future symptoms or clinical evaluations you need can be considered alongside your exposure history. No clinical diagnostic tests or physical exams occur as part of the screening. Still, the screening may trigger discussions that lead to early diagnosis of exposure-related conditions, if they occur.
  
• Misconception #2: Getting a toxic exposure screening could increase or decrease your VA disability compensation.
• Reality: The screening does not play a role in determining VA disability rating or compensation. Suppose you report an exposure during your screening. In that case, you will be offered connections and information on benefits, registry exams and clinical resources as appropriate, including information on how to file a claim.
  
• Misconception #3: The toxic exposure screening provides legal and medical verification of exposure.
• Reality: You will not receive any legal or medical verification of exposure as part of the screening. However, your response will be added to your VA medical record to include exposure concerns as a cornerstone of your care across your lifetime. This approach is called exposure-informed care.
  
• Misconception #4: The screening is only for older Veterans.
• Reality: The screening is for all Veterans enrolled in VA health care regardless of age. If you are not enrolled, apply now.
  
• Misconception #5: You don't need the screening if you've already joined a VA environmental health registry.
• Reality: The toxic exposure screening is not part of VA's environmental health registries and does not serve as a registry evaluation. Learn about the differences between registries and the screening here.
  
• Misconception #6: You don't need to get your toxic exposure screening if you are already service-connected.
• Reality: Regardless of your service-connection status, receiving the screening helps include your exposure concerns at the forefront of your health care. This allows your health care team to provide exposure-informed care throughout your lifetime.

You can ask about the toxic exposure screening at your next VA health care appointment. Contact your local VA facility and request a screening if you do not have an upcoming appointment.

To continue busting misconceptions, check out these additional resources:

For more information about the PACT Act, visit VA.gov/PACT.

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