Depleted uranium (DU): VA presumptive conditions and claims

Depleted uranium (DU) exposure

Depleted uranium was used in armor and munitions. Veterans wounded by DU fragments, or who worked on or around struck vehicles, may have internal exposure that VA monitors and evaluates.

Who is covered

Exposures and service VA recognizes:

Depleted Uranium (DU) Exposure
from August 2, 1990
Depleted uranium used in armor-piercing munitions and tank/vehicle armor during 1990-91 Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. VA operates the MEDU Surveillance Center at the Baltimore VA. Claims case-by-case.

To see how these conditions combine with others, use the combined-rating calculator.

Documents VA asks for

DD-214: service period
Personnel records / incident reports: documents DU exposure event
DU urine bioassay / MEDU evaluation: VA Baltimore MEDU Surveillance Center
Medical evidence of nexus: VA decides case-by-case

Related guides: Intent to File · C&P exam preparation · nexus letters

Legal authority and sources

VA recognition; no presumptive statute

The exposure catalog with primary sources is free in VA Ready for iOS, Vet Ready for Android and VA Ready for Windows; Pro adds Claim Intel and the full 38 CFR rating criteria for every condition.

Presumptive conditions, eligible locations, and dates are summarized from VA.gov and the cited authorities and can change. Always confirm current eligibility at VA.gov or with a VA-accredited representative. VA Ready is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and this page is not legal or medical advice.