When veterans return home from a combat zone, not all scars are visible. The toll that war takes on the human body is not always visible and veterans have always faced much more than bombs and bullets when they have served overseas. Veterans of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan were exposed to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange in Vietnam and unintentional toxic chemicals from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Veterans in these conflicts that were exposed to dangerous chemicals have suffered from illnesses and medical conditions for generations without support and disability compensation from the country they served so proudly — until the PACT Act was passed. QRF Legal Services is here to help veterans who are unfamiliar with this veteran care act get the information they need with this overview of the PACT Act that explains the expanded benefits for those veterans.
What Is the PACT Act?
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is one of the largest veteran health care initiatives in the history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This historical veteran care act provides financial support and benefits for the men and women who were exposed to toxic chemicals during their time in the military.
Here is a closer look at the changes and benefits that the PACT Act will provide for our veterans:
- Makes veterans from Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Post-9/11 conflicts eligible for VA health care and benefits for toxic exposure.
- Provides accommodations for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and toxic chemicals with more than 20 presumptive conditions.
- Provides additional accommodations for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange and radiation in select theaters of operations.
- Ensures that veterans enrolled in VA health care programs receive a toxic exposure screening.
- Improves research, education, and treatment for toxic exposures.
What Are Presumptive Conditions for the PACT Act?
Presumptive conditions are the key to veteran disability benefits under the PACT Act. In general — to receive disability benefits, veterans must prove that their injury, illness, or medical condition is connected to their time in the military. The presumptive conditions underlined in the PACT Act are medical conditions that are automatically assumed to be connected to military service due to when and where a veteran served. These presumptive conditions are protected by the PACT Act.
Who Is Eligible for PACT Act Veterans Benefits?
Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements in addition to a few select criteria are eligible for PACT Act veterans benefits. Here is a better look at additional criteria that veterans must meet to be eligible for veterans disability benefits under the PACT Act.
- Veteran must have served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 or
- Veteran was deployed in support of the Global War on Terror or
- Veteran was exposed to toxins or other hazards during their military service that may include — specific toxins, hazardous burn pits, sand and dust, toxic particulates, oil well or sulfur fires, toxic chemicals, chemical radiation, chemical warfare agents, depleted uranium, harmful herbicides, and more.
READ MORE: A Step-by-Step Guide to the VA Claims Process
Are you a veteran that was exposed to toxic chemicals during your time in the military service? This overview of the PACT Act explains expanded benefits for veterans with presumptive conditions and will provide the information that veterans need to understand the full breadth of the benefits they have earned via their service.
Contact QRF Legal Services for additional information on the PACT Act!
