Starting March 5th 2024, the VA is expanding their healthcare coverage to millions more Veterans
The PACT Act is a law that enhances VA healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The law also provides assistance to surviving family members of a Veteran, if eligible.
Starting March 5th, the VA is expanding their healthcare coverage to millions more Veterans – years earlier than called for by The PACT Act. The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- Expand and extend eligibility for VA healthcare for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11.
- Add 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
- Add more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
- Requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA healthcare.
Note: Specific toxins and hazards include burn pits, sand and dust, particulates, oil well or sulfur fires, chemicals, radiation, warfare agents, depleted uranium, herbicides, and other occupational hazards. A full list of military exposure categories can be found here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/
Veterans can learn more about these changes and file a claim for The PACT Act here: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
The PACT Act is an important piece of legislation that expanded the VA benefits to cover more presumptive conditions and locations for the large number of Veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits and toxins — including Vietnam Vets exposed to Agent Orange, Gulf War Vets, and post-9/11 Veterans that were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding areas.
The PACT Act has provided a more streamlined path to submitting VA benefits claims for conditions that may be related to exposure to burn pits and toxins while on deployment. Even with this law in place, some REE Medical clients have expressed encountering difficulties with obtaining an accurate rating due to incomplete medical evidence.
Veterans wanting to ensure that they have the thorough and accurate medical evidence needed for their claims can reach out to our REE Medical team to inquire about support in obtaining supplemental medical documentation.
