Staying Fit
In what was described as one of the largest benefit expansions in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the PACT Act is estimated to provide additional benefits and health services to millions of veterans.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, named after a decorated combat medic who died from a rare form of lung cancer, addresses veterans with toxic exposures from the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.
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Since it was signed into law in August 2022, the VA has conducted over 5 million toxic exposure screenings and approved nearly 800,000 benefits claims at a 75 percent approval rate, according to the VA’s PACT Act performance dashboard.
What does the PACT Act provide?
- All veterans who served in combat zones since the Vietnam War, along with veterans who were exposed to hazardous materials while training or on active duty may enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Meaning any veteran who participated in what the VA terms a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) is eligible. The category includes veterans exposed to air pollutants including burn pits, sand and dust; chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium and contaminated water; occupational hazards including asbestos, lead and firefighting foams; radiation; warfare agents including chemical and biological weapons; and more.
- There is no deadline for eligible veterans to enroll directly in VA health care. However, the VA encourages veterans to apply now so they have access to care when they need it.
- 20 more illnesses are now considered presumptive conditions for burn pit and other toxic exposures, meaning veterans will not have to prove that their service caused their condition. This reduces the paperwork required and the need for a disability exam before being granted access to health care and compensation. The list includes 11 respiratory-related conditions and several forms of cancer. Survivors of veterans who died due to one of these conditions may also be eligible for benefits.
- Additional presumptive exposure locations for Vietnam era veterans
- VA will provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care.
- Improvements to research, staff education, outreach and treatment related to toxic exposures
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