Toxic Exposure

VA will conduct a scientific assessment to determine if there is a relationship between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure during military service and kidney cancer among Veterans.

Access expanded to VA benefits for Veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan after 9-11.

VA releases new PACT Act dashboard highlighting the impact of the historic law for delivering benefits and health care to millions of Veterans and their survivors exposed to toxins.

Thank you for joining us for this month's press conference. We know that it’s an early start. So, we thank you for joining us. To our teammates online as well, thank you. I know we have some new faces included, so I'm very interested in meeting some of you, either in person or virtually.

the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has screened 5 million Veterans for toxic exposures – a critical step to detecting, understanding, and treating potentially life-threatening health conditions.

Veterans under 40 who may have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service are now eligible for breast cancer risk assessments and mammograms (as clinically appropriate) at VA.

Today, VA announced that 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 Aug. 10, 2022. To date, VA has awarded more than $1 billion in earned benefits to Veterans and survivors who filed PACT Act-related claims.

To our press in attendance, once I open the Q&A period, please raise your hand and wait for me to recognize you. Once called upon, please step to the microphone. To those joining us virtually, please remember to remain on mute for the duration of the press conference.

Beginning tomorrow, Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics across the country will offer enrolled Veterans a new toxic exposure screening. These screenings are a key part of the PACT Act, a new law that empowers VA to deliver care and benefits to millions of toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors.