More than 1,000 Veterans apply for PACT Act benefits

Here is one Veteran’s experience at the Colorado Springs PACT Act claims clinic.

During a fishing trip three years ago, Army Veteran David Krall, 75, of Colorado Springs noticed his balance slipping. As a forward observer in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971, the long-term impact of chemical exposures was not often considered.

“I noticed my quality of life going down,” Krall said. He was diagnosed this year with Parkinson’s disease, which VA can presume was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange when determining his eligibility for disability compensation and health care.

Krall was one of more than 1,000 Veterans attending the El Paso County PACT Act claims clinics in early August in Colorado Springs. The three-day event culminated after months of coordination between VA and El Paso County.

“We are a prime example of how partnerships between local and federal agencies can maximize resources and better serve the needs of the Veteran community,” said Marshall Bosworth, El Paso County Veteran service officer, who also coordinated monthly PACT Act briefs with VA support from March to July.

“VA will not rest until every Veteran gets the benefits they deserve.”

The Pikes Peak area is known for military service. It is home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and the Air Force Academy. Of the more than 730,000 people who live in El Paso County, roughly 15% are Veterans.

The PACT Act further expands VA health care eligibility and benefits for Veterans with toxic exposures during the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras. “This law helps us provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve,” said Michael Kilmer, Eastern Colorado VA director. “VA will not rest until every Veteran gets the toxic exposure-related care and benefits they deserve.”

After filing a claim, Krall sat with a nurse trained in identifying and documenting potential exposures to toxins during military service, enabling Veterans to benefit from exposure-informed care.

“We didn’t get this sort of help after Vietnam. To get help, we had to fight for it. I knew it was going to be busy here but they simplified the process. We have such a big Veteran population here, a lot of Gulf War issues, so this is very helpful,” Krall said.

From noon to 8 p.m. each day, Veterans, equipped with discharge papers and medical records pulled into the Colorado Army National Guard Readiness Center.

They checked in below a 20×38′ U.S. flag, which draped one of the armory’s cinder block walls. Supported by VA benefits specialists, they filed hundreds of claims.

Outside, VA-contracted mobile exam units completed more than 300 claims, setting two records for the most completed in a single day. The highest demand involved sinusitis, rhinitis and other respiratory conditions, then hypertension.

In another room, VA nurses completed nearly 400 toxic exposure screenings. Of the more than 52,000 Veterans screened in the Denver metro, Pikes Peak and rural areas, at least one exposure concern was endorsed in roughly 24,000 or nearly half.

VA personnel were also checking in Veterans for health care enrollments and scheduling, while social workers discussed caregiver support and extended-care services. Researchers explained how participating in studies may improve health outcomes for Veterans.

Multi-agency workforce assisted twice as many Veterans than anticipated

“It was beneficial to me,” said Karen Bolden, an Army staff sergeant who served in Saudi Arabia in 1991. “These clinics were important to our community. I tried to start the claim process on my own but was so confused. Here, we’re around people with similar experiences, which makes you more comfortable with starting the process. This took away the confusion and I got everything done today.”

In the event’s final hours, county and federal executives huddled with their multi-agency workforce, which assisted twice as many Veterans than originally anticipated. “When we come together as a community, where our Veterans live, we get results,” said Kilmer. “This really showed what can happen when we bring our community together.”

To apply today for benefits or learn more about PACT Act claims and care, call 1-800-MYVA411 or visit VA.gov/PACT.

For more information on how to apply for VA health care, including the documents needed to determine eligibility, visit VA.gov/health-care/how-to-apply.