More than 175 researchers and health care providers from VA, Universities, private organizations and hospitals gathered alongside Veterans in May 2023 at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA in Colorado to identify new research topics to improve treatments and diagnosis of toxic exposure illnesses.
Presentations from 22 speakers covered three key areas: respiratory health, data and programs, and mental health.
- Respiratory Health: Researchers discussed current research studies and techniques to identify biomarkers of exposure, treatment after exposure and long-term respiratory health.
- Existing VA Data and Programs: Presentations on projected logistical needs estimated that VA might need to grow by 15,000 personnel to support the PACT Act.
- Mental Health: Speakers discussed the importance of studying the psychological and emotional effects of toxic military exposure alongside the physical health effects.
“The speakers and participants were all focused on how to assist our Veterans with military exposures as outlined in the PACT Act. We also had a number of Veterans attending who provided extremely valuable questions and feedback,” saod symposium co-chair, Dr. Andrew Hoisington, an Air Force Veteran and researcher at the VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC).
At the presentation, one Vietnam combat Veteran asked about the value of looking back at cumulative environmental exposures and stressors.
“We still have a lot to learn about the potential connections between military airborne exposures and mental health. Everyone here is committed to tackling the problem for the best health outcomes in our Veterans through a whole-body, life-course approach,” said Mental Health Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lisa Brenner, VA Rocky Mountain MIRECC director.
Supporting the long-term goals of the PACT Act
The PACT Act is the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations. Veterans and their survivors have filed more than 500,000 claims for toxic exposure-related benefits under the PACT Act since President Biden signed it into law in August 2022. To date, VA has awarded more than $1 billion in earned benefits to Veterans and survivors who filed PACT Act-related claims. More than 3 million Veterans have already received VA’s new toxic exposure screenings with 1.32 million of them (approximately 42%) reporting a concern of exposure.
Research is critical to VA readiness to provide exposure-focused care, increase the likelihood of early diagnoses and treatments, and ensuring the best health care outcomes. The PACT Act Research Symposium was just the start and it has laid the groundwork for meeting the long-term goals of the PACT Act to provide Veterans with the care and support they have earned and deserve.
“We left the symposium with new colleagues, new collaborations formed, action items and the knowledge that more is needed from the research community in the field of military exposures,” Hoisington added.
Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are encouraged to visit The PACT Act and your VA benefits website or call 1-800-698-2411 to learn more.
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The pact act is just post 9/11 kids getting EVEN MORE special benefits just for them. And you steal the paltry monies congressionally mandated for Gulf War Illness. I am fcking tired of getting ignored constantly. I’ve been suffering respiratory problems for decades, yet it’s not service connected. This system is broken, and need to be shit canned and start over fresh. And next time, don’t leave us by the wayside. #ftf #ftva
What should you do, when you realize your VSO is part of the regional office and is working against you on your claim with the VBA
I am a disabled veteran and have been assigned a 30% disability for exposure to “agent orange”
which I am taking medication for the rest of my life to help control hypertension, cholesterol, and coronary heart disease. I was told I was not awarded additional disability % because I didn’t have some percentage of other factors. I will be taking all these other medications for the rest of my life to help me prevent heart attacks and other coronary problems, among other medications that I will have to take for the rest of my life to help me from possibly not having more chances of dying due to the AGENT ORANGE I was exposed to during my TOUR OF DUTY FOR 1 YEAR ON LAND IN DANANG AND DONG HAI IN 1966 & 1967. I ALSO HAVE DIABETES AND PROSTATE CANCER FOR WHICH MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD NO SEXUAL CONTACT IN YEARS. I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU TO EXPERIENCE THESE THINGS AND TRY TO SAY THAT THERE IS NO PHYSICAL OR MENTAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE AND WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR LIVES AND DO NOT DESERVE A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF DISABILITY.
The va is blocking/denying links to toxic exposure with chemicals that can cause anxiety and depression. I was denied because tera for mh is exempt. Why is that?
I am a 80% disabled toxic water survivor from drinking and bathing in the water at Camp Lejeune, NC while serving in the Marines. I’ve had stage 4 Cancer from the water and have other physical problems from having Cancer. I am in remission thank GOD but, still live with hoping I don’t get Cancer again. I’ve been going to the VA clinic and hospital where I live and have never had a Dr. or anyone talk to me about Camp Lejeune toxic water. I mentioned it to my Dr. at the clinic I go to and they said, I don’t want to hear anything about Camp Lejeune and got up and walked out and just left me sitting in their office. I just shook my head and walked out. I feel like the VA is just waiting for people to die so they want have to deal with them. I’m not saying all people that work for the VA doesn’t care but, I think there is a bunch that don’t care. The time the Dr. got up and walked out on me was the first time I had ever tried to use the VA in the 45 years at the time, since getting out of the Marines. SEMPER FI