The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs play distinct roles in dealing with chemical and biological exposures and are responsible for developing DOD deployment occupational and environmental health surveillance, risk assessment and risk management policies. DOD identifies and validates veteran’s exposure to CB agents and monitors deployment-related exposure incidents and trends. This ensures effective programs are in place to prevent occupational and environmental injuries or illnesses during deployment.
The Public Health Division collaborates with their DOD partners and the VA on long-term medical care and benefits for our service members. The division also provides the names of these individuals along with their exposure information to the VA. The VA then notifies individuals of their potential exposure, provides treatment, if necessary, for these individuals and adjudicates any claim for compensation.
These combined efforts are shaping the future of military medicine by supporting enhanced individual exposure assessment methods. The Public Health Division partners with federal research institutes on many projects to include:
- Development of exposure biomarkers
- Individual chemical dosimeters
- Individual Longitudinal Exposure Records
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Policy
Feb 6, 2004
.PDF |
788.60 KB
The Department has developed criteria for the approval of bioassays to support deployment operations (Attachment 2). Bioassays for Depleted Uranium and lead (Attachments 3 and 4) are approved for use at this time to assess human exposures during or after deployment and combat operations.
- Identification #: 04-004
- Type: Memorandum
Policy
Nov 6, 2003
.PDF |
83.85 KB
Medical Surveillance Information Management Strategy for Force Health Protection
- Identification #: 03-022
- Type: Memorandum
Policy
Aug 25, 2003
.PDF |
542.74 KB
Air Force instructions for managing patients with potential exposure to DU
- Identification #: N/A
- Type: Instruction
Policy
May 30, 2003
.PDF |
1.91 MB
This policy outlines the military Services responsibilities for the DU Medical Management program.
- Identification #: 03-012
- Type: Memorandum
Policy
Jul 10, 2002
.PDF |
603.50 KB
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Hearing: Military Exposures: The Continuing Challenges of Care and Compensation
- Identification #: N/A
- Type: Memorandum
Publication
Jan 1, 2001
.PDF |
2.54 MB
This report presents the findings of the first-ever international assessment of the environmental impact of depleted uranium (DU) when used in a real conflict situation. It has been carried out as part of the post-conflict assessments conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Balkans.
Policy
Feb 3, 1999
.PDF |
20.46 KB
Policy for DoD Global, Laboratory-Based Influenza Surveillance
- Identification #: 99-008
- Type: Memorandum
Policy
Dec 4, 1998
.PDF |
94.28 KB
Effective Feb. 1, 1999, the uniform and stardardized health surveillance and readiness procedures described in this memorandum will be adhered to for all deployments.
- Identification #: MCM-251-98
- Type: Joint Publication
Policy
Nov 17, 1998
.PDF |
23.26 KB
Policy for National Surveillance for Birth Defects Among Department of Defense Health Care Beneficiaries
- Identification #: 99-006
- Type: Memorandum
Policy
Nov 9, 1998
.PDF |
59.34 KB
Reportable Disease Database
- Identification #: N/A
- Type: Guideline
Publication
Nov 19, 1997
.PDF |
219.56 KB
This press release from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense announces the award of $12 million for 12 new research projects on Gulf War Illness.
Report
Feb 1, 1996
.PDF |
6.30 MB
President Clinton established the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses to ensure an independent, open, and comprehensive examination of health concerns related to Gulf War service. This interim report includes four chapters addressing specific elements of the Committee’s charter: outreach, medical and clinical issues, ...
Publication
Jan 1, 1996
In July 1994, the U.S. Department of Defense asked the Institute of Medicine to establish a committee to evaluate the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program. This report identifies the major issues the committee has identified since the first meeting in October 1994
Fact Sheet
Feb 1, 1995
.PDF |
36.51 KB
An interagency board - the Persian Gulf Veterans Coordinating Board - was established in January 1994 to work to resolve the health concerns of Persian Gulf veterans, including active duty personnel and reservists with Gulf service.
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Last Updated: December 12, 2025