Tear gas / CS gas
Conditions the Board of Veterans' Appeals has ruled on in decisions that name Tear gas / CS gas exposure, grouped by outcome. 74 published decisions mention it. This is a non-presumptive agent, the medical link must be proven case by case, so these Board rulings are the roadmap.
What the Board has tied to Tear gas / CS gas
Each row: a condition claimed as related to Tear gas / CS gas, how many issues the Board ruled on, and the granted / denied / remanded split. Click a condition to see its code page, criteria, and the decisions.
| Condition | Issues | Granted | Denied | Rem. | Grant % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emphysema, pulmonary DC 6603 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | – |
Read the Board decisions that mention Tear gas / CS gas ↗
What the science says about Tear gas / CS gas
Riot-control agents (CS and CN, "tear gas") are used in training (the gas chamber) and crowd control. Exposure is by breathing the aerosol and skin/eye contact.
Health effects documented in the toxicology literature:
- Eyes / airways: Intense but usually temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and airways.
- Respiratory: Higher or repeated exposure can trigger or worsen reactive-airway and breathing problems.
- Skin: Burning and irritation, occasionally blistering with heavy exposure.
Cancer classification: Not classified as a carcinogen.
Latency: Effects are usually acute; persistent respiratory problems are the concern for claims.
ATSDR Toxic Substances Portal (search this substance) ↗ (public-domain, US ATSDR)
Common questions
Is Tear gas / CS gas a presumptive exposure?
No. Unlike Agent Orange, burn pits, or Camp Lejeune, Tear gas / CS gas carries no automatic (presumptive) service connection. You have to prove the medical link yourself, usually with a nexus opinion, which is exactly why how the Board has ruled on it matters.
Why do so many of these conditions show denials?
The granted / denied counts reflect the mix of cases where Tear gas / CS gas comes up and how hard each link is to prove, not the merit of any one claim. A denial often means the file lacked a medical opinion tying the condition to the exposure, or proof of the exposure itself, not that the condition can never be connected.
How do I show I was exposed to Tear gas / CS gas?
Service records, your military job (MOS), unit history, and buddy statements can establish the exposure; a medical opinion then connects it to the diagnosed condition. This page reports Board outcomes and is not legal or medical advice, a VSO representative can help with your specific case.
Related Tools and Guides
RateMyVSO. Educational aggregate of published Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions plus public-domain toxicology (ATSDR). Not affiliated with the VA. Not legal or medical advice. Whether any exposure caused any condition in a specific case is a medical and legal question, a VSO representative can help.