Documents needed for a VA “Toxic Exposure” claim

January 29, 2016

Updated: September 27, 2026

This is an initial list of documents and information required to file a toxic exposure claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs. These materials may help establish that you were stationed at George AFB, that the base was contaminated, and that a completed exposure pathway linked the contamination to base personnel. You should also provide evidence of your diagnosis and, if necessary, a medical opinion. This page is intended primarily for veterans and surviving spouses filing VA claims for service-connected disability benefits. After gathering your documents, consider contacting a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or an attorney for assistance with filing your claim.

If you lived in Adelanto, attended school or worked on the base as a civilian, or resided in base housing as a family member, you may wish to consult an attorney who specializes in toxic torts.

The PACT Act and George AFB

The PACT Act (2022) changed the process, although claims involving George AFB generally remain direct service-connection or Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) cases rather than simple presumptive claims.

Presumptive versus non-presumptive conditions.

  • Most conditions associated with George AFB—including exposure to pesticides in housing, TCE, contaminated water, PFAS, asbestos, and chlordane—are not automatically granted like conditions on the burn-pit or Camp Lejeune lists. A diagnosis and time spent at George AFB are generally insufficient on their own. You still need evidence of exposure and, often, a medical nexus.

What the PACT Act changed for this base.

  • The Act introduced toxic exposure screenings, expanded VA health-care eligibility, established the TERA framework, and, in many cases, required the VA to obtain a medical opinion when there is evidence of a toxic-exposure risk activity (38 U.S.C. § 1168). This last point is significant: a private nexus letter remains useful, but it is no longer the only avenue.

How to file today

A 6-step checklist

  1. Request complete military personnel and medical records (Sample NPRC request – Word document).
  2. Obtain a current diagnosis in writing.
  3. Ask VA for a toxic exposure screening.
  4. Submit the starter document set below (select the contaminants that match your job, housing, or school).
  5. Add lay or buddy statements describing daily exposure.
  6. For non-presumptive conditions, obtain a nexus opinion — VA-ordered or private.

 Medical opinion (nexus), if the condition is not presumptive:

A NEXUS letter from a board-certified occupational medicine physician is ideal. A treating specialist in oncology, pulmonology, or neurology who reviews the supporting documentation is often sufficient. The physician should include the following exact phrases in the NEXUS letter to the VA:

  • “It is my opinion that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your military service.”
  • “In my opinion, your condition was at least as likely as not to have been caused by your exposure to chlordane in family housing, TCE in the shop, PFAS in water, etc.”

Ask your doctor to include the following supporting evidence with the NEXUS letter:

  • Confirmation that the doctor reviewed the service medical records (SMRs) / service treatment records (STRs), DD-214, orders placing the veteran at George AFB during X–Y, and the attached EPA/AF/housing documents.
  • Information about the known toxins and completed exposure pathway for the relevant duty or housing.
  • Cite medical literature linking those toxins to the diagnosed condition.
  • An opinion that [condition] is at least as likely as not due to [named exposure] during service at George AFB. AFB.

Completed exposure pathway (CEP)

For an exposure pathway to be considered complete, all five of the following components must be present:

  1. Contaminant Source: The origin of the hazard, such as a chemical spill, a leaking underground storage tank, or a waste pile.
  2. Transport Medium: The medium (such as groundwater, surface water, air, or soil) that transports the contaminant away from the source.
  3. Exposure Point: The specific location where a population or receptor comes into physical contact with the contaminated medium.
  4. Exposure Route: The pathway by which the contaminant enters or comes into contact with the body, typically through inhalation (breathing), ingestion (swallowing), or dermal absorption (skin contact).
  5. Exposed Population: People (or animals/plants) currently at the exposure point and in contact with the contaminated medium (soil, water, air).

Documents you will need

1. Proof that you were at George AFB:  DD-214, orders, duty history, housing assignment, school records, yearbook/photos.

If you worked on the flight line, in the alert hangar, at the missile compound, or at the bomb dump, you may have been exposed to radioactive materials.

2. Base-wide Superfund status

3. Family housing, barracks, dorms — OCPs / chlordane

4. Drinking water / TCE / PCE / PFAS / golf-course waste: internal articles plus plume maps.

If you drank base water, lived in Adelanto on that system, or worked where solvents went to ground.

5. Articles of the contamination: flightline / housing / shops / burn pits / asbestos / RAM / golf course

Use if: AFSC or daily work matches (TCE on engines is the comment you never pulled into the article).

6. Maps

Then the housing timeline can be a short dated table (1998 ATSDR “no pathway” → 2002 hits → 2005 warning → 2007 ban → 2014 school letter). Move the μg/kg figures and the long quitclaim block quotes into the PDFs. You currently quote the deed twice.

U.S. EPA

CA – Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board

U.S. Air Force

Maps – Air Force

The City of Victorville

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (AEC)

Pesticides Contamination Timeline

George AFB Family Housing – Pesticides Levels

In 2002, aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, and lindane were detected in the surface soil at the George AFB Family Housing. On 1 October 2007, the levels of these persistent organochlorine pesticides and their breakdown products were so high that the Air Force banned the property and housing for residential use.

1998 –

In the Public Health Assessment for George Air Force Base, the ATSDR made the following statements:

“ATSDR did not identify any completed exposure pathways from George AFB to children at nearby schools or residential areas.” Page 27

“Soil at George AFB does not represent an apparent past public health hazard and does not represent a present or future public health hazard.” Page 28

Extracted - Soil No CEP Children Housing / Schools - George AFB PHA (PDF - 204 KB)

2002 –

The Air Force knew that the surface soil under and around the George AFB Family Housing was contaminated with hazardous levels of chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

aldrin at 16, 700 μg/kg – 576 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.3-0.8
dieldrin at 15,000 μg/kg – 500 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.3-0.8
chlordane at 24,100 μg/kg – 15 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.5-1
μg/kg: concentrations of chemicals in soil measured in units of the mass of chemical (micrograms, μg) per mass of soil (kilogram, kg)
PRG: residential preliminary remediation goal
ft. bgs: feet below ground surface

George AFB Housing Pesticide Testing - Highest Results Sample Depth (PDF – 95KB)

Extracted Pages AR1773 - George AFB Housing Pesticides Soil (PDF – 147 KB)

2004 – U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Chlordane Contamination

a. What is Chlordane?
Chlordane was a registered use pesticide applied from around 1948 until 1988. Its primary use was for termite control, but other known uses include application to prevent nesting of fire ants around power transformers; as a herbicide to control weeds in turf; and to control insects on lawns, gardens, and food crops (such as corn). So there are potentially many areas on DoD property, including family housing units, where chlordane may be found as a result of lawful application.

b. How Was Chlordane Used?
High concentrations of chlordane may be found around military housing as a result of lawful application for termite control. To control termites, the chlordane was initially applied to soil prior to construction beneath building foundations. Then it was PWTB 200-1-31 DoD’s pest management practice to routinely reapply chlordane every three to five years thereafter by methods such as treating the perimeter of the foundation by spraying with a rod inserted into the soil, by applying via a small trench dug along the foundation, or by injecting the chlordane through holes drilled in flooring at the periphery of walls. Thus relatively high concentrations of chlordane may have accumulated in these areas over time.

2004-09-30 ACE - Guidance for Addressing Chlordane Contamination at DOD Sites.pdf

2005 –

“Within the housing area of Former George Air Force Base the pesticides Aldrin and Dieldrin were used to control termites. In 2002 the soil in this area was tested for Organochloride Pesticides and in several locations elevated levels of Aldrin and Dieldrin were detected. In 2005 the Air Force advised the City [of Victorville] that these levels of pesticides may present a danger to human health if soils are inhaled, ingested, or contacted by skin.”

SCLA Soil Testing Project CC12-041 (PDF - 709 KB)

2007 –

On 1 October 2007, the Air Force placed the following conditional use clause in the George AFB Family Housing quitclaim deed:

“Grantee covenants and agrees that it will not use, or allow others to use, the Property for residential purposes (including mobile or modular homes), hospitals for human care, public or private schools for persons under 18 years of age, nursery schools, or day care centers for children.”

Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing (PDF - 510 KB)

2014 –

On April 14, 2014, xxx won her VA C&P Claim for a service-connected injury resulting from her exposure to chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used at George Air Force Base Family Housing and barracks.

“You have submitted new and material evidence to reopen this claim. While not specifically diagnosed during active military service, we have received objective medical evidence from Dr. xxxx linking your condition to symptoms treated while on active duty as we as probable exposure to toxic chemicals. Dr. xxxx provided that after reviewing your service medical records and substantiating documents regarding toxic chemicals used at George Air Force Base, it was his opinion that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your military service.”   …

“… Service connection for bilateral mastectomy, residual of breast cancer has been established as directly related to military service. While not specifically diagnosed during active military service, we have received objective medical evidence from Dr. xxxx linking your condition to symptoms treated while on active duty as well as probable exposure to toxic chemicals. Dr. xxxx, provided that after reviewing your service medical records and substantiating documents regarding toxic chemicals used at George Air Force Base, it was his opinion that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your military service. Your service records confirm your service at George Air Force Base during your period of active military service. There is no objective medical evidence showing that your condition was not caused by your military service. …”

George AFB Schools – Organochlorine Pesticides (“OCPs”) Contamination

On 19 December 2014, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) issued a Land Use Controls Violation to the Air Force. This violation letter addresses the fact that the Air Force did NOT test the schools for dieldrin before the property was transferred to the Adelanto Unified School District and the Air Force ALLOWED the school to reopen WITHOUT testing for contamination from any of the organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”).

“Concern Regarding George AFB Schools
Another concern related to dieldrin soil contamination is the presence of schools located adjacent to the former housing area; namely, the former George AFB Elementary School and George Junior High (Middle) School. These schools were apparently built during the same time period as the housing units and similar construction procedures may have been followed, including the possible application of pesticides for termite control. These schools were transferred to the Adelanto Unified School District in 1994. The former elementary school is now operated as an adult educational facility called Taylion High Desert Academy. The former middle school is now leased by Adelanto Unified School District to Excelsior Charter School (grades 7-12). Apparently, the soils at these schools have not been tested for dieldrin.”

2014-12-19 LRWQCB Dieldrin Land Use Controls Violation GAFB OT-071 .pdf

2016 –

As of 17 January 2016, the Air Force has failed to notify the former base personnel, their families, civilian employees, and the surrounding community of their exposure to potentially life-threatening environmental contamination at George AFB’s Family Housing.

George AFB Family Housing – CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions – Chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

The Army and Air Force used the chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”) to protect buildings (pre-1988) against ground termites and other pests at George AFB including the Base Schools, Family Housing, Barracks, and Dorms.

  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to test for these organochlorine pesticides except at the Base Family Housing Units.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose the widespread use of these organochlorine pesticides in the CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions as required by law except for at the Base Family Housing Units.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to test the soils at the former George AFB Elementary School and George Junior High (Middle) School for dieldrin.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose that dangerous levels of aldrin and chlordane were present at the Base Family Housing Units in the CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions as required by law.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose the widespread use of these organochlorine pesticides to the ATSDR for its 1998 Public Health Assessment for George AFB. When the ATSDR concluded that there were no completed exposure pathways, the DOD and the Air Force did not correct the ATSDR during the  Peer Review / Public Comments period or after the Public Health Assessment for George AFB was published in 1998.

See: George AFB’s Housing and George AFB’s Schools

Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing:

  • Sale Price: $718,685.00
  • Transferred the responsibility and liability for the contamination from the Air Force to the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (local taxpayers)
  • CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions – Family Housing
  • Pesticide contamination soil and groundwater  – Dieldrin or other possible pesticide-related constituents (“Pesticides”)

George AFB Family Housing – Quitclaim Deed 

II. CONSIDERATION AND CONVEYANCE

WITNESSETH, THAT in consideration of the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS ($718,685.00), and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantor does hereby release and forever quitclaim to the Grantee all that real property …
Page 2 of 14

VI. CONDITION

B. The Grantee acknowledges that it has inspected, is aware of, and accepts the condition and state of repair of the Property, and that the Property is conveyed, “as is,” “where is,” without any representation, promise, agreement, or warranty on the part of the Grantor regarding such condition and state of repair, or regarding the making of any alterations, improvements, repairs, or additions. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Grantor shall not be liable for any latent or patent defects in the Property, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Page 3 of 14

VII.B. Environmental Restrictive Covenants.

(e) Grantee covenants and agrees that it will not use, or allow others to use, the Property for residential purposes (including mobile or modular homes), hospitals for human care, public or private schools for persons under 18 years of age, nursery schools, or day care centers for children.
Page 5 of 14

VIII. OTHER COVENANTS

  1. Pesticides. The Grantee is warned of the presence of Dieldrin or other possible pesticide-related constituents (“Pesticides”) on the Property in certain portions of the soil and in the upper aquifer of the groundwater, which may have resulted from past applications of pesticides. The Grantee is cautioned to use due care during use, occupancy, and Property development activities that may involve soils containing Pesticides. …
    Page 7 of 14

Grantor: US Air Force
Grantee: Southern California Logistics Airport Authority

Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing (PDF - 510 KB)

 

I am not a doctor, Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or attorney; therefore, I cannot provide medical or legal advice.

If you, a friend, or a loved one have been injured or have passed away due to exposure to contamination at a DOD Superfund Site, please follow the steps outlined on the "Get Help" page.

The views and opinions expressed on this website belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government.

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4 Comments

    • I added a link to the 2004 Army Corps of Engineers report “Guidance for Addressing Chlordane Contamination at DOD Sites”. This report makes it clear that chlordane was so widely used that it is presumed present in structures built prior to 1988.

      For other environmental issues at George AFB please see the articles on the front page.

      Reply

  2. I had tons of exposure to TCE a solvent I used to clean jet engines and associated parts!! Anything on that I am currently 30% service connect and having a few issues with health?

    Reply

  3. Michael, see:

      the soil and groundwater contamination maps
      CA Water Resources Control Board – Contaminants

    type TCE in the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the website and it will give you a list of documents that should help

    Reply

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