Comprehensive Assessment of Respiratory and other military Exposures (CARE) Center
Our Comprehensive Assessment of Respiratory and other military Exposures (CARE) Center provides specialized care for conditions established under the 2022 PACT Act. The PACT Act is the largest expansion of VA benefits and extends VA health care eligibility to Veterans who were exposed to chemical, physical and environmental hazards while serving.
How It Works
The CARE Center offers a multidisciplinary team of health care specialists to address any questions or concerns you may have about respiratory and other military service exposures. The CARE Center provides comprehensive assessment for veterans with toxic exposures, collaborates with the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center and offers an opportunity for veterans with toxic exposure to be enrolled in relevant research.
If you believe you were exposed to toxins while serving in the military and are already enrolled in VA health care, your VA primary care provider can provide a toxic exposure screening and refer you to the CARE Center for a consultation. Call 202-745-8577 to schedule a toxic exposure screening with your VA primary care provider. If you are not yet enrolled in VA health care, click here to learn how you can apply online, by phone or by mail.
Getting to the CARE Center
The CARE Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in building 14 (Clinical Research Building) on the Washington DC VA Medical Center campus. To reach the CARE Center:
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Use the south entrance to the medical center campus
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Take the first left you come to and notify the security guard on duty that you have an appointment at the CARE Center
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Take the first right into the parking lot in front of building 14
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Once parked, let the CARE Center team know you have arrived by calling 202-745-8000, ext. 55865
A medical center map with detailed instructions is available to view or download below.
Meet the Team
Joel Nations MD
C.A.R.E. Center Director
VA Washington DC health care
Phone: 202-745-8000, ext. 55865
Email: joel.nations@va.gov
Mark Smith PA-C MPAS
Toxic Exposure Screening Navigator
VA Washington DC health care
Phone: 202-745-8000, ext. 58166
Email: mark.smith5@va.gov
Gola Reed
Environmental Health Coordinator
VA Washington DC health care
Phone: 202-745-8000, ext. 57360
Email: gola.reed@va.gov
Yndia Wilkerson
Environmental Health Coordinator
VA Washington DC health care
Phone: 202-745-8000, ext. 55680
Email: yndia.wilkerson@va.gov
Additional PACT Act Information
Under the PACT Act, many health conditions are now considered presumptive, meaning you do not need to prove your condition was caused by exposure if you served in a specific area during an established period of time. Visit the links below to learn more about toxic exposure locations and toxic exposure screening.
Toxic Exposure Locations
Toxic Exposure Screening
PACT Act Education Resources
PACT Act Benefits Flyer outlines the PACT Act and your VA benefits. Learn how to schedule an appointment and get your questions answered with VA and Veteran service organizations in your community.
- The PACT Act and your VA benefits
- Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a VA benefits specialist
- Submit your questions to VA online
- Find a Veteran service organization near you
The Environmental Health Registry Evaluation tool provides information about the six health registries offered by VA, including their focus, who can join, and where to learn more.
- Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
- Agent Orange Registry
- Gulf War Registry
- Ionizing Radiation Registry
- Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program
- Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center
War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) is an educational resource for combat Veterans, their family members and loved ones, and Veteran health care providers. Find educational programs on topics ranging from environmental exposures and deployment health conditions to self management techniques for chronic health concerns.