If you or someone you love receives Veterans benefits, s/he may have their health care and/or benefits increased due to the recent PACT Act. This Act, perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history, is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that the VA assumes caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps the VA to provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits by calling 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). You can also file claims online. Find the links to file a claim and learn more on the VA’s recent blog: The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits.
