What is the PACT Act?
The PACT Act, or the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, is a crucial piece of legislation that is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It was designed to provide benefits and healthcare to veterans exposed to toxic substances.
The Act covers a range of conditions presumed to be service connected, which means veterans with these conditions can receive benefits without proving direct exposure.
What Does it Mean to Have a Presumptive Condition for Toxic Exposure?
The US Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that certain health conditions may be related to your service. With many of these conditions, you may need to prove that your service caused your condition.
Other medical conditions, however, can be automatically assumed to be service-related. These are called “presumptive conditions” and your disability rating can be increased automatically if you qualify under them.
The PACT Act adds additional presumptive conditions, and you no longer need to prove the condition was caused by your time in service. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption. Do you have a PACT Act claim?
Were you Exposed to Burn Pits or other Toxins?
Under the PACT Act over 2 million Armed Forces Veterans may now be eligible for new or additional disability benefits from the VA. If you had a toxic exposure from a burn pit, agent orange, or other toxic substances you need to review your benefits and make sure you’re receiving everything you qualify for.
If your benefits claim has already been denied, or if you haven’t been given the rating you deserve, then contact us and let us review your case. We may be able to overturn your denied claim or increase your rating to what you deserve.
Who is Eligible for PACT Act Agent Orange VA Benefits?
Eligibility for the VA PACT Act benefits is primarily based on service history and correlates to specific locations and periods are covered.
These include veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. Also, those who served in or near the Korean DMZ between 1967 and 1971.
The following is a brief list of eligible service periods and locations:
- Vietnam War (1962-1975)
- Korean DMZ (1967-1971)
- Thailand Military Bases (1961-1975)
It’s important to consult with a VA representative for a complete eligibility check.
PACT Act Presumptive Conditions List
The PACT Act recognizes a list of presumptive conditions. These are health issues presumed to be service-connected. Recently, the PACT Act added two new presumptive conditions:
- High blood pressure (also called hypertension)
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
Always check with the VA for the full and complete list of presumptive conditions.
Read more about presumptive conditions.
How the PACT Act Affects your VA Benefits and Care
The PACT Act is one of the largest benefit increases for Veterans in the history of the VA. Under this expansion, as many as 2 million additional veterans may be eligible to receive benefits they were previously denied.
Some of the changes the PACT Act brings are:
- The extension and expansion of eligibility for health care granted to Veterans with toxic exposures from the Vietnam era through those who are leaving the service today.
- Over 20 additional presumptive conditions for exposures to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
- More locations were added to the presumptive-exposure list for radiation and Agent Orange.
- Every veteran enrolled in VA health care will receive a toxic exposure screening.
- Improved research, education, and treatment of toxic exposures.
Get the VA Benefits You Deserve
Are you one of the thousands of Veteran’s Claims that have been denied by the VA? Have you received a rating decision lower than you expected? As a Veteran who has served your country, YOU should receive the Disability Benefits your injury deserves.
Please call Chad Barr Law today at 888-2-VETLAW and discuss your case with our VA accredited Veterans Benefits Attorney or fill out our free case evaluation.
There is no “PACT Act deadline” to file a claim. Contact us today!
