VA recently joined the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) on Instagram to discuss PACT Act benefits eligibility. Some of your couldn’t make it, or didn’t have Instagram access. Here’s the recap.
Mike Stoddard, WWP’s national service director joined VA’s Steven Miska, executive director PACT Act, and Kate Hoit, communications and outreach lead, PACT Act Enterprise Project Management Office. About half of America’s 18 million Veterans are receiving health care through VA. This is why the PACT Act is so important. If you served from 1955 to the present, in any of the areas covered by the law and have a diagnosis for a PACT Act presumptive condition, then you should submit a claim right now.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that VA assumes (or “presumes”) are caused by exposure to toxic substances during service—so called “presumptive conditions.”
“In taking the onus off the Veteran to prove that conditions that they are presenting are service related, we can automatically assume it is,” PACT Act Executive Director Steven Miska said. “The law gives us that flexibility. So, it’s really a game changer, and it’s given millions more Veterans the potential to qualify for benefits and possibly for health care.”
While there isn’t a deadline to apply for benefits, if you start your “intent to file” before August 9, 2023, and your claim is ultimately approved, VA may be able to backdate your benefits to the date of the bill signing. This means VA will pay you the amount you would have received from August 10, 2022, to the date VA approves your application.
And if you haven’t received a Toxic Exposure Screening, we encourage you to get one. All Veterans enrolled in VA health care can receive one. Not enrolled? Apply now.
Still unsure if you qualify for health care or benefits under the PACT Act?
“I would say give us a try. Go to VA.gov/PACT. Check it out. Look at your presumptive conditions, the location list and figure out if you think you have any of these possible conditions,” said PACT Act Communications and Outreach Lead Kate Hoit. “For my female Veterans, I want you to know that I personally use VA health care. My mom passed away from breast cancer, so I’m now on that list in addition to the being exposed to toxins. I get yearly mammograms and screenings [from my local VA hospital], and they are looking at me in a wholistic way. Before you cancel us out, give us a shot.”
To learn more about the PACT Act, including details about eligibility, go to VA.gov/PACT. To learn more about VA’s non-health benefits, including those that help Veterans earn degrees, start careers, buy homes, stay healthy and more, visit Choose.VA.gov.
Topics in this story
More Stories
Medical center executives join in keeping Dallas VA clean and welcoming for Veterans.
Fisher House offers complimentary lodging for families navigating the complexities of extended medical care.
Veteran and social worker Gordon Roberts received the Medal of Honor for “Gallantry in Action” in Vietnam.
My husband passed away due to Agent Orange. I receive disability. When my
Daughter was born 52 yrs. Ago she took multiple seizures. She has been on multiple meds all her life for epilepsy. When it became apparent ( yrs. Later) that Vietnam Vets.were exposed to AO, my husband inquired about
Our daughters condition & was told it did not apply to his children. She has had to live on SS Disability all her life. We have seen to it that she has whatever she needs. I am now 77 yrs old and worry about her future when I’m gone. And I am finding it very difficult financially now. Has there
Been any change with the VA regarding her situation.
Thank you
I’m 100% disable service connected.
I am a Camp Lejeune Veteran exposed to the tainted water. I have received a 100% Disability Rating after contracting kidney cancer, then later stage four lung cancer. It’s beyond belief that the Navy Jag after almost 11 months have posted no updates to how they will the claims they have received. The earlier Marines assuming they were 18 years old and still alive would be nearing 90 years old. Literally these exposed Marines are dying daily, do the math. The Secretary of the Navy needs to replace the command structure and get the right Attorneys in place to start processing the claims and provide the public information on how the claims will be processed. BTW shame on the attorneys who are trying to fatten their pockets on this national disaster at the expense of the Marines, Sailors and families who have lost love ones who answered the call of this great nation to serve their country.
It’s very sad to say that even after the Pact Act , veterans are still being denied for conditions that should be now granted. Even terminally ill, hospice veterans who have proven conditions that are presumptive, are denied and delayed compensation. It’s a crying shame.
I did three tours of combat in Vietnam 1967-68-69 I was a grunt 11-B infantry and I am still being denied compensation for my exposure to agent orange survived the test-offensive Got a Purple Heart combat infantry Badge bronze and silver clusters on my Vietnam service medals How can they possibly say I wasn’t exposed when I seen them spray it.
I’m 100% disable service connected, I have one condition that they denied It, the I’m taking 2 types of meds for my high blood pressure,
Did you get approved for the high blood pressure
Does this finally include he Ft. McClellan vets?