If you have been exposed to a toxic substance during your military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits, even if you have been turned down in the past. Apply by August 9, 2023, to possibly have your benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, if approved.

Join VA and representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) for a live broadcast on Facebook, August 2 at 3:30 p.m. EDT, to learn about the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The law adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances, helping VA provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

To join us, go to VFW’s Facebook page or VVA’s Facebook Page on August 2, a few minutes before the event. Then, at 3:30 p.m. EDT, refresh the page and click on the video that appears to watch the discussion. Make sure your audio is not muted by using the volume control at the bottom of the video.

For more information about the PACT Act, go to VA.gov/PACT. To learn more about VA benefits that help Veterans earn degrees, start careers, buy homes, stay healthy and more, visit Choose.VA.gov.

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12 Comments

  1. Calvin D Martin August 6, 2023 at 22:54

    How do I apply for this PACT ACT claim or should I go to the nearest VSR in my area here in Lynchburg Virginia. I received a letter from Janesville WI showing that I was exposed to environmental Toxins during my military service and the military records confirmed service in Southeast Asia. I in Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield and Storm with 7th MAR REG.

    Plus I also served with the U.S. 3RD ARMY in OPERATION BRIGHTSTAR 87 in AL HARAM EGYPT, outside CAIRO WEST.

    We lived around the open burn pits and that how they got rid of the everyday trash old food from the mess tents and old MRI meals.

  2. Dan Matthews July 31, 2023 at 09:51

    I served for 20 years in Army aviation maintenance. We were routinely exposed to numerous chemicals suck as methyl-eythl-ketone (MEK) PD-680 (dry cleaning solvent), aromatic naptha, petroleum and vegetable oil based hydraulic fluids, JP-4 (aircraft fuel), different oils, aircraft paint, etc. While stationed in Korea we burned human waste in a mixture of gas and diesel fuel when deployed. I retired in 1998 and have since had a large growth in my colon that necessitated the removal of half of my colon, prostate cancer and AFIB. I don’t know if any of my issues were connected to my exposures but I sure would like to know.

  3. Elizabeth Flick July 29, 2023 at 21:52

    Unfortunately, the Ft.McClellan Vets were conveniently left out of the PACT act.

    • DIANE Evans August 3, 2023 at 13:59

      I called my local VA and once I mentioned Ft. McClellan, never heard back from them. I was diagnosed with angiosarcoma of the left breast in 1995, one of only 200 cases world wide at the time. Later I found out that is one of the presumptive diseases for Agent Orange. I now have many gastrointestinal issues. What do we have to do to get help?

  4. ARISTEO ELANE ESCOBAR July 29, 2023 at 11:07

    Can I qualify for 2 months of burn pit duties in 1082 South Korea Team Spirit at Yelchin, SKAFB.

    How about exposure to xray for 8 years as a US NAVY xray tech at Long Beach Naval Hospital during many hours of flouroscopy.

  5. Robert F Higgins July 26, 2023 at 22:48

    I completed Advanced Combat Infantry Training in Camp Lejeune in 1957 AD. I was honorably discharged in 1959 AD

  6. Robert F Higgins July 26, 2023 at 22:43

    I am a United States Marine Corps Veteran that Completed Advanced Combat Infantry Training while in Camp Lejeune. I served in Camp Lejeune if 1957. I was honorably discharged in July 1959. Robert F Higgins

    [EDITOR: Never publish your sensitive information on the internet. I have removed it from this comment.]

  7. Richard Cordell July 26, 2023 at 19:46

    The Pact act is nothing but another way for VA to DENY benefits. The quack they send you to, will for example, tell you your hight blood pressure isn’t caused by agent orange and recommend you be denied. Why bother? This is just a FARCE designed to make the public believe you are actually trying to help “the poor Vietnam Vet”. All you want is another way to deny benefits. Admit it!

  8. Dewey July 26, 2023 at 19:24

    I left my opinion and feedback it was not posted in the comments so much for freedom of speech.

  9. Dewey July 26, 2023 at 19:21

    Dont waste your time filing a claim they will just agree you were exposed to agent orange but if you are on meds to control your high blood pressure they will not give you any compensation unless your blood pressure is over 160/100.

  10. Judy A Stilts July 25, 2023 at 15:49

    Why is rape not counted for compensation of some kind?

  11. Michael Ramos July 22, 2023 at 18:02

    Could VA do a joint VSO online discussion for how veterans living abroad would go about filing PACT Act claims as well?

Comments are closed.

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