Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center
VA's Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center offers medical surveillance for Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) with embedded fragments as the result of injury received while serving in an area of conflict.
The Center:
- Provides special testing for metals that might be released from the fragments
- Maintains a registry of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who have had a fragment removed or who still have a fragment in their body
- Uses information from the registry to write guidelines for medical care
- Provides guidelines for medical care to other VA health care providers across the country
Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator, OEF/OIF Clinical Coordinator, or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is improving but is still not over. We highly encourage all Veterans to receive a vaccination.
Many sites are open for registry exams but some local restrictions and closures may still apply. Some sites are offering telehealth registry exams. Please contact your local Environmental Health Coordinator to find out more. We appreciate the importance of the registry evaluations to understand military environmental exposures. As a reminder, these exams are not tied to care, treatment or benefits. Please call your local VA medical center if you have a medical issue that needs attention. We remain committed to serving Veterans. VA will update the status of registry exam scheduling when there is new information.
Eligibility
VA requires active duty service in any of the conflicts below to qualify for the Toxic Embedded Fragments Registry:
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation New Dawn
The Veteran must have, or likely have, an embedded fragment as the result of injury received while serving in an area of conflict.
Download a fact sheet about the Center. (495 KB, PDF)
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