Think Your Illness May Be Connected to Military Service?

Steps veterans can take when they believe their condition may be related to toxic exposure or other service-related hazards.

Many veterans develop health conditions years after leaving military service and begin to wonder whether their illness may be connected to something they were exposed to while serving.

Toxic exposures, environmental hazards, and other service-related risks are increasingly recognized as contributing factors to long-term health conditions affecting veterans.

If you believe your illness may be related to your military service, there are several steps you can take to better understand your options and begin gathering the information needed to pursue VA benefits.

Where to Start

Learn About Potential Exposure

Start by researching whether your condition may be connected to known military exposures such as herbicides, burn pits, environmental contamination, or other service-related hazards.

Some illnesses may qualify as presumptive conditions, meaning the VA recognizes a connection between the illness and certain types of military service.

Review Your Military Service

Your service history can help determine whether you may have been exposed to certain hazards during your time in the military.

Important documents may include:

DD-214
Unit assignments
Deployment records
Ship assignments and deck logs
Base or installation locations

These records can help establish where and when exposures may have occurred.

Gather Medical Documentation

Medical records are important when pursuing a VA disability claim.

You may wish to collect:

Medical diagnoses
Treatment records
Physician notes
Laboratory or imaging results

In some cases, a physician may provide a medical nexus opinion linking your illness to your military service.

Prepare or Review a VA Claim

If you believe your condition may be service-connected, you may wish to file a VA disability claim or review a previously denied claim.

Veterans often work with:

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
Accredited representatives
VA-accredited attorneys

These professionals can help ensure claims are properly prepared and supported.

Our Purpose

MVA exists to give a voice to veterans and service members who are excluded, overlooked, or denied benefits because of how policies are written or applied.

Too often, laws draw lines — by geography, dates, or definitions — that leave entire groups of veterans outside the circle. MVA steps in early to educate lawmakers, and when necessary, takes action in federal courts to correct harmful or unclear policies.

Our purpose is simple:
to advance justice, accountability, and access for those who served.

Our Approach

Litigation

When VA policies harm veterans or stall progress, MVA brings high-impact cases to federal court to force clarity, accountability, and reform.

Legislation

We work with lawmakers before laws are finalized, ensuring veterans affected by toxic exposure, combat service, or systemic failures are not left behind.

Education

Through training, outreach, and Continuing Legal Education (CLE), MVA equips veterans, advocates, and legal professionals with the knowledge needed to navigate complex systems.

Our History

Founded in 2012
Originated from the need to address gaps in VA policy affecting entire groups of veterans
Initially organized around issue-specific advocacy (e.g., Blue Water Navy)
Evolved into a unified national organization following major legislative shifts such as the PACT Act

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Board of Directors & Governance

Military-Veterans Advocacy is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with experience in veterans’ law, military service, public policy, and nonprofit leadership.

Board of Directors list

Committees

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Financials & Accountability

MVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of donor support. Financial documents are available for public review.

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IRS Form 990

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Bylaws & Organizational Policies

MVA’s bylaws and governing documents outline the organization’s structure, leadership responsibilities, and operational standards.

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Why This Matters

Strong governance, transparency, and accountability ensure MVA can focus its resources where they matter most — protecting veterans and strengthening systems that serve them.

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