Introduction

Veterans who served on bases contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or handled AFFF firefighting foam are increasingly seeking VA disability benefits for related health issues.

Filing these claims can be tricky – there are no automatic “presumptive” benefits for PFAS exposure, and the VA evaluates each case individually. In a previous guide we discussed how to build evidence (like proving you were exposed and getting nexus letters to connect your illness to service).

Now, this post focuses on the other side of the equation: common mistakes and misconceptions that can lead to delays or denials of PFAS-related VA claims. Our goal is to help you avoid these pitfalls.

Whether you were stationed at a base with PFAS-contaminated drinking water or you regularly used AFFF, here are the key errors to steer clear of when filing your VA disability claim.

Mistake 1: Filing for “PFAS Exposure” Is Enough

Many veterans mistakenly believe they can file a claim simply for “PFAS exposure” or vague symptoms like “frequent urination” or “high PFAS levels in blood” without a specific medical diagnosis.

The Reality

VA disability compensation requires a current diagnosed medical condition, not just exposure to a toxic substance. By law, every service-connected claim needs three essential elements:

  • 1

    A current diagnosed condition

  • 2
    Evidence of an in-service event/exposure
  • 3
    A medical nexus linking the two

Simply having been exposed to PFAS isn’t enough – you must have a resulting health condition caused by that exposure. Veterans sometimes assume the VA will “figure out” what their illness is, but that’s not how the process works.

Correct Approach

Before filing, obtain a proper medical evaluation resulting in a specific diagnosis (e.g., kidney cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis).

For instance, if you believe PFAS exposure led to thyroid issues, have your doctor diagnose the exact thyroid disorder (such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism). Then claim that diagnosed condition as connected to your PFAS exposure, not the exposure itself.

Success Story

An Army veteran stationed at both Fort Devens and Fort Dix developed prostate cancer decades after service. His case explains why a bare-bones claim for “PFAS exposure” usually fails—and how persistence can rescue it. While the case is still ongoing, it’s a good sign for veterans.

The initial denial happened in 2022.  The regional office rejected his prostate-cancer claim on the strength of a one-line VA opinion that the disease was “less likely than not” related to service. The examiner supplied no rationale, and the file contained no hard proof that either base was PFAS-contaminated during the veteran’s tour.

A July 2022 note from his treating urologist mentioned a possible PFAS–genitourinary-cancer link, but the language was too tentative (“possible connection”) to meet the VA’s at least as likely as not standard.

The veteran filed for a Board review. The Board found two duty-to-assist errors:

  • 1

    Missing exposure verification—no attempt had been made to confirm whether Fort Devens or Fort Dix used or stored PFAS-based AFFF during the relevant years.

  • 2

    Inadequate medical opinion—the VA examiner offered a conclusion without reasons, and the private letter was equivocal.

The case was remanded, ordering the VA to track down DoD/EPA records (or issue a formal finding) to verify PFAS exposure, and obtain a new, well-reasoned nexus opinion from a different specialist that squarely addresses whether the veteran’s prostate cancer is at least as likely as not related to any verified exposure, considering the cumulative effect of all toxins.

Even without presumptive rules, a claim isn’t dead after an initial denial. But you must supply:

  1. Credible evidence your base was contaminated and
  2. A clear, non-equivocal nexus opinion.

The veteran above hasn’t won yet—the Board merely kept the door open—but the remand shows exactly what the VA needs before it can say “yes.”

Mistake 2: Assuming “The VA Already Knows”

Many veterans run into trouble proving they were exposed to PFAS during service. It’s easy to assume that just being on a contaminated base is proof enough – or that a blood test showing PFAS in your body will convince the VA. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

The Reality

Unlike Agent Orange in Vietnam or burn pits under the PACT Act, there are no presumptive benefits for PFAS exposure.

The VA requires concrete evidence that you, specifically, had significant PFAS exposure in service. General knowledge that “most Americans have some PFAS in their blood” isn’t sufficient – in fact, widespread civilian exposure can make it harder to pinpoint military exposure.

Correct Approach

Provide multiple forms of evidence documenting your exposure:

  • Service records and duty assignments: Show you served at a particular base or in a role known for PFAS use. For example, orders placing you at Camp Pendleton or Pease Air Force Base during years with documented contamination, or an MOS as a firefighter.
  • Environmental reports and data: Submit documents confirming PFAS contamination at your installation, including DoD reports, EPA findings, or Environmental Working Group listings. The VA will not automatically concede base contamination without evidence.
  • Lay evidence and personal statements: Provide detailed accounts of how you used firefighting foam in training or how the tap water on base had a chemical taste. Buddy statements from fellow service members can reinforce your account.
  • Don’t rely on blood tests alone: The VA has noted that blood tests “do not identify the source of your PFAS exposure” and can’t pinpoint when it happened. A high PFAS level today doesn’t automatically tie to your service decades ago.

Success Story

An Army veteran who served at Fort Bragg from 1961-1964 filed claims for both bladder and prostate cancer. His claim was initially denied by the VA Regional Office in January and March 2022, which found no sufficient connection between his service and his cancers.

For his appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals, the veteran’s representative submitted important evidence about PFAS contamination, including an article titled “FOIA Data: Tap Water at 28 Military Bases Tainted with ‘Forever Chemicals’ Above States’ Safety Standards.” This evidence detailed that Fort Bragg was among the most contaminated sites, with PFAS chemicals linked to cancer and other health conditions.

The veteran’s DD Form 214 confirmed he was stationed at Fort Bragg during his entire service period from January 1961 to January 1964. His service treatment records showed he had been treated for urethritis in December 1962 and July 1963, though these conditions were attributed to infections at the time.

Although a September 2020 VA examiner provided negative opinions regarding both cancer claims, the examiner failed to address the PFAS exposure issue. The BVA found this opinion had little probative value because it didn’t consider the PFAS connection.

The medical literature submitted by the veteran was deemed sufficient to establish a plausible connection between PFAS exposure and cancer. The BVA concluded that “given the specificity of the medical literature about the presence of PFAS at Fort Bragg and PFAS chemicals having been linked to cancer,” the evidence was at least in equipoise.

On February 23, 2023, the BVA granted service connection for both bladder cancer and prostate cancer, resolving reasonable doubt in the veteran’s favor.

Mistake 3: Letting VA Exams Make the Connection for You and Leaving Denials as Final Decisions

Many veterans over-rely on the VA’s Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam or assume the VA already possesses all necessary information about PFAS contamination. Additionally, they often believe a denial letter represents the final word on their claim.

The Reality

For emerging issues like PFAS exposure, many VA clinicians aren’t trained or inclined to make the connection on their own. A vague medical statement – for example, that PFAS exposure “can be associated with” a disease – is too speculative for VA standards. Unless the medical opinion clearly states “it’s at least as likely as not” that PFAS in service caused your condition, the VA won’t grant the claim.

A denial is not the end of the road. You typically have one year from the decision date to appeal through a supplemental claim, higher-level review, or direct appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Correct Approach

  • Be proactive with evidence: Submit scientific literature and independent medical opinions instead of counting on the VA examiner’s knowledge of PFAS.
  • Obtain a strong nexus letter: Have a private doctor review your records and state in writing that your disease is likely caused by PFAS exposure in service, citing relevant research.
  • Bring documentation to your C&P exam: Provide contamination data and research directly to the examiner to ensure they consider all relevant information.
  • If denied, appeal: Use the appeals process to introduce additional evidence or correct errors in the VA’s decision. Many veterans succeed on appeal after initial denials.

Success Story

A female Air Force veteran who served at Kelly Air Force Base from 1992 to 1999 was diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. She filed a claim for VA disability benefits, arguing that her cancer was caused by exposure to contaminated drinking water during her service at Kelly Air Force Base. The VA initially denied her claim in July 2018, finding no connection between her cancer and military service.

Rather than accepting this outcome, the veteran persisted with her claim:

  • 1

    In September 2019, she filed a supplemental claim with new evidence

  • 2
    When the VA determined in November 2019 that no new and relevant evidence had been submitted, she appealed to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals event/exposure
  • 3
    In September 2020, she testified at a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge

To strengthen her case, the veteran submitted several crucial pieces of evidence:

  • A Department of Defense report entitled “Addressing PFOS and PFOA” showing that all four ground wells tested at Kelly Air Force Base contained elevated levels of these chemicals
  • A House of Representatives Committee on Oversight Reform report documenting that PFOS and PFOA exposure can lead to serious health problems including cancer
  • An October 2020 medical opinion from her treating oncologist stating her cancer was “at least as likely as not caused by exposure to PFOS and/or PFOA” and noting it was not the type associated with smoking
  • Testimony that her former husband, who was also stationed at Kelly AFB with her from 1995 to 1999, had developed pancreatic cancer

The VA had obtained an August 2019 medical opinion concluding it was less likely than not that her lung cancer was related to her service. However, this opinion:

  • Relied on an outdated October 2004 environmental report
  • Was not provided by an oncology specialist but rather an occupational medicine doctor
  • Did not address what may have caused the veteran’s ROS-1 gene mutation leading to her lung cancer

In December 2020, a Veterans Law Judge granted service connection for her lung cancer, finding that “it is at least as likely not that the Veteran’s current lung cancer was caused by exposure to contaminated water during her active service at Kelly Air Force Base from 1995 until 1999.”

This veteran succeeded precisely because she didn’t accept the initial denial as final. She obtained a strong medical opinion with the correct legal language (“at least as likely as not”), gathered scientific evidence about contamination at her specific base, and pursued her appeal all the way to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

successful pfas related va disability claim

Key Takeaways for Veterans Filing PFAS Claims

Here’s a quick recap of the most important points to remember when pursuing a PFAS-related VA disability claim:

» Always claim a specific diagnosed condition, not just “PFAS exposure.” You need a current illness or disability (e.g. bladder cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease) to get benefits. Ensure you have a clear diagnosis in your medical records before filing.

   » Prove your PFAS exposure with concrete evidence. Don’t assume VA knows your base was contaminated – submit service records and official reports to show you were exposed during service. General knowledge isn’t enough; make it specific to your service.

   » Provide a medical nexus linking your condition to PFAS. Whenever possible, include an independent medical opinion (nexus letter) supporting your claim. A strong nexus letter that cites research and says your condition is “at least as likely as not” caused by PFAS can be the deciding factor. Don’t rely solely on the VA’s C&P exam for this critical link.

   » If you get denied, don’t give up – appeal. A VA denial is not the end. Many PFAS-exposed veterans succeed on appeal by adding new evidence or correcting errors. Use the supplemental claim or appeal process to strengthen your case, ideally with help from a VSO or attorney. Persistence pays off.

Conclusion

Your health issues are real, and if they stem from your service, you’ve earned compensation and care. With a clear strategy and persistence, you can navigate the VA process and secure the benefits you deserve.

Good luck, and remember: you’re not alone in this fight – many veterans and advocates are pushing together to get PFAS exposures recognized, one claim at a time.

Written By:

Trisha Dach

Veteran Contributor

Trisha is a Veteran freelance author at PFAS Water Experts who specializes in VA disability claims issues. As a veteran Air Force officer and US Air Force Academy graduate, she has a strong passion for helping veterans understand and navigate the complexities of the VA system. Trisha has completed many hours of work and research surrounding the PACT Act and brings her deep understanding of the VA disability claims landscape to complex claims involving PFAS.

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