Toxic Embedded Fragments
Some post-9/11 Veterans have retained toxic embedded fragments in their bodies after blast injuries sustained during military service.
These Veterans may be eligible for medical surveillance conducted by the Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.
Shrapnel is a common term to describe the toxic fragments from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs, mines, and shells. Some of the fragments may contain depleted uranium.
Health problems related to toxic embedded fragments
Although health problems caused by toxic embedded fragments are not fully understood, generally fragments are potentially harmful in two ways:
- Injury at the site of the fragment
- Chemicals from the fragment can travel through the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about toxic embedded fragments from injuries in military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.
Post-9/11 Veterans with embedded fragments may be eligible for medical surveillance through the Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.
VA offers a variety of health care benefits to eligible Veterans. Not enrolled in the VA health care system? Find out if you qualify for VA health care.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to toxic embedded fragments from injuries during service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
Toxic Embedded Fragments
Shrapnel and other metals that remain in the body after a blast injury.
These fragments come from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs, mines and shells. Some fragments may contain depleted uranium.
Canada, Africa, Western/Central Europe, North Asia, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, South-Central Asia
Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND), World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Although health problems caused by toxic embedded fragments are not fully understood, generally fragments are harmful in two ways:
- Injury at the site of the fragment
- Chemicals from the fragment that travel through the bloodstream and can affect other parts of the body. Metals in the body can cause high levels of toxicity in some organs.
- VA toxic embedded fragments webpage
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/toxic_fragments/index.asp
Get a Registry Evaluation
- Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
WRIISC Link
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
- https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
VA offers medical surveillance for Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND) with embedded fragments as the result of injury received while serving in an area of conflict.
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/toxic_fragments/surv_center.asp
2001 2100 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia
