Enrollments for Benefits Under the PACT Act Open

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the PACT Act, a new law that gave thousands of veterans sickened by toxic environmental exposure access to VA healthcare. Less than two months later, on October 1, the VA opened enrollments for those veterans who were previously denied benefits or hadn’t enrolled before.

What is the PACT Act?

According to the VA, the PACT Act is “a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.” The VA’s website also lists more specifically what the Act seeks to change:

• 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 more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits 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

For more detailed information on whether you are eligible for benefits under the PACT Act, visit this website: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

How Do I Enroll for VA Benefits?

If you believe you may be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act, don’t wait to take action. Here’s how you can enroll for VA benefits depending on your circumstance.

Filing a claim for the first time

For veterans who have previously not filed any disability claims, you can now simply file a claim. There are four ways to file a claim: online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a professional. If you wish to file a claim online, you can do so here: https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction

For more information on how to file a new disability claim, visit this web page: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/

Filing a claim after being denied

If you have previously been denied after filing a claim, you have the opportunity to file a Supplemental claim. When you file a Supplemental claim, the VA will review your case again. The VA website notes that the VA will contact you if they think your previously-denied claim is now eligible, but you don’t need to wait for them to contact you before filing a Supplemental claim.

For more information on how to file a Supplemental claim, visit this web page: https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/supplemental-claim/

What if my claim is still pending?

If your claim is pending, you don’t need to submit another one. The VA will send you a decision notice after they complete the review.

We are Veterans Helping Veterans

The Veterans Legal Assistance Program’s goal is to support veterans and those serving in active-duty, as well as their families. We want to inform you of the issues affecting the Veteran community and connect you with people we trust. 

We’ve got your six.