Across all military eras, U.S. service members have been exposed to toxic biological and chemical agents (eg, pesticides, herbicides, chemical weapons), airborne hazards (eg, burn pits, diesel fumes), depleted uranium and other radioactive materials, and several other hazards. Yet the prevalence of psychiatric conditions and symptoms among those with military toxic exposures has been poorly understood. The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expands and extends VA health care eligibility for Veterans with conditions presumed to be caused by military toxic exposures. This expansion in VA benefits will likely lead to an increase in Veterans with presumed toxic exposures accessing VA care. Understanding what resources may be needed to support Veteran patients receiving mental health services can inform future planning of health care services and delivery. An evidence map on this topic will be used to assist Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical teams in providing evidence-informed care to Veterans who present with psychiatric concerns during toxic exposure screenings and in developing national guidance for approaches to screening, assessment, and treatment related to these concerns.
