Understanding the PACT Act: What It Means for Veterans and Their VA Benefits

The PACT Act, officially known as the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, is a new law that aims to improve the care and benefits available to veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances during their service. The law has far-reaching implications for veterans, as it expands and extends eligibility for VA health care and adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.

The PACT Act also adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation. This means that veterans who served in these locations will be eligible for VA benefits and health care if they develop certain health conditions that are associated with exposure to these toxic substances. This is a significant step forward in ensuring that veterans receive the care and support they need, without having to prove a direct link between their military service and their health problems.

The PACT Act requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care. This screening will help identify veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances during their service, and ensure that they receive the care and benefits they need. This is a crucial step towards ensuring that all veterans are screened for toxic exposures, as it will help identify veterans who may have been affected by toxic substances during their service.

Presumptive conditions are those for which the VA assumes, or “presumes,” that they are related to a veteran’s military service. This means that veterans with these conditions will no longer have to prove a direct link between their military service and their health problems in order to receive VA benefits and health care. The PACT Act adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures. This is an important benefit for veterans who have been affected by toxic exposures, as it ensures that they receive the care and support they need without having to navigate a complicated and often frustrating process of proving the link between their military service and their health problems.

The PACT Act also helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures. The law requires the VA to conduct further research into the health effects of burn pit exposure, in order to better understand and treat the conditions that may be related to this exposure. It also requires the VA to develop a training program for VA healthcare providers to help them better identify and treat toxic exposures, and to establish a center of excellence for research, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions related to toxic exposures.

Navigating the VA claims process can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s why Consultants for America’s Veterans exists. We have helped thousands of veterans with their claims and can assist you in understanding the benefits and resources available to you under the PACT Act. Our team of dedicated professionals has extensive experience in handling VA claims and appeals, and we are committed to helping veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.

If you are a veteran who has been affected by toxic exposures and needs assistance with your VA claim, please contact us today. We offer a free consultation and are available to answer any questions you may have about the claims process. Let us help you navigate the complexities of the VA system and ensure that you receive the care and benefits you have earned. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help with your VA claim.

Frequently Asked Questions about the PACT Act:

Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veteran eligibility

Which conditions of burn pit and other toxic exposure are now considered presumptive?

These cancers are now presumptive:

• Brain cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
• Glioblastoma
• Head cancer of any type
• Kidney cancer
• Lymphatic cancer of any type
• Lymphoma of any type
• Melanoma
• Neck cancer of any type
• Pancreatic cancer
• Reproductive cancer of any type
• Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type

These illnesses are now presumptive:

• Asthma that was diagnosed after service
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic rhinitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
• Emphysema
• Granulomatous disease
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• Pleuritis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis

Is there a way for me to determine if I have been presumptively exposed to burn pits?

If you served in any of these locations and time periods, we’ve determined that you had exposure to burn pits or other toxins. We call this having a presumption of exposure.

On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations:

• Afghanistan
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen
• The airspace above any of these locations

On or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations:

• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• The airspace above any of these locations

Do additional presumptive conditions exist related to exposure?

The PACT Act introduces new presumptive conditions. However, numerous other medical conditions are presumed to result from exposure to harmful substances. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, you might qualify for healthcare services or benefits.

As a combat Veteran of the post-9/11 era, do I qualify for no-cost VA healthcare?

VA health care eligibility based on the PACT Act is being extended and expanded. Individuals are encouraged to apply, regardless of their separation date, with eligibility determined by their service history and other factors.

If you meet the qualifications outlined here, you can receive no-cost VA health care for any condition linked to your military service for up to 10 years from your most recent separation or discharge date. You can enroll anytime during this period and receive any necessary treatment, although you may be responsible for a copay for some services.

At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by your active-duty service:

• You served in a combat theater of operations during a war period following the Persian Gulf War, or
• You served in combat against a hostile entity during a hostilities period following November 11, 1998

Additionally, this must be true for you:

• You were discharged or released on or after October 1, 2013.

We encourage you to enroll now so that we can provide you with any needed care both now and in the future. Enrollment is free.

If an individual was discharged or released before October 1, 2013, what are their options?

If an individual meets the requirements outlined below, they will be eligible to receive healthcare and enroll during a special enrollment period from October 1, 2022, to October 1, 2023.

To qualify, at least one of the following requirements must have been met during the individual’s active-duty service:

• Served in a combat theater of operations during a war period after the Persian Gulf War, or
• Served in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998.

In addition, the following must be true:

• Discharged or released between September 11, 2001, and October 1, 2013
• Not previously enrolled in VA health care.

We encourage those who meet the criteria to apply during this one-year period so that they may receive necessary care, free of charge.

Vietnam era Veteran eligibility

Which additional presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange will the VA include?

As a result of the PACT Act, two fresh Agent Orange presumptive conditions have been included by the VA. These are high blood pressure (hypertension) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). In addition, an individual may be eligible for disability compensation due to other Agent Orange presumptive conditions, such as certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and other illnesses.

Do additional presumptive conditions exist related to exposure?

Yes, while new presumptive conditions have been added due to the PACT Act, there are also a multitude of other health conditions that are presumed to be caused by exposure to toxic or hazardous materials. Eligibility for healthcare services or benefits is possible if an individual is experiencing any of these other conditions.

What new Agent Orange presumptive locations will VA add?

The VA has added the following five new locations to the list of presumptive locations for Agent Orange exposure:

• Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
• Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
• Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
• Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
• Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977

If an individual served on active duty in any of these locations, it will be automatically presumed that they were exposed to Agent Orange.

What new radiation presumptive locations will VA add?

The VA has added the following three new response efforts to the list of presumptive locations for radiation exposure:

• Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, from January 1, 1977, through December 31, 1980
• Cleanup of the Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons off the coast of Palomares, Spain, from January 17, 1966, through March 31, 1967
• Response to the fire onboard an Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons near Thule Air Force Base in Greenland from January 21, 1968, to September 25, 1968

If an individual took part in any of these efforts, the VA will presume they had exposure to radiation.

Additionally, there are other locations where the VA presumes an individual had exposure to radiation. If an individual served in any of these locations, they may be eligible for health care or benefits.

As a Vietnam Veteran, do I qualify for VA health care services?

If an individual served on active duty during any of the specified time periods in these locations, they are now eligible to apply for VA health care services:

• The Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975
• Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976
• Laos between December 1, 1965, and September 30, 1969
• Certain provinces in Cambodia between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969
• Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980
• Johnston Atoll (or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll) between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977

If you are a veteran seeking assistance with your PACT Act claims, our team at Consultants for America’s Veterans is here to help. Our team of experts is committed to assisting veterans in understanding their eligibility and filing claims under the PACT Act. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today and take the first step towards receiving the benefits and healthcare you deserve. Contact us now to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you with your PACT Act claims.