The PACT Act and VA Benefits
Claims received by August 9 will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation
Thanks to the PACT Act, millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now eligible for VA health care and benefits.
While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency. Most Veterans and survivors who apply for benefits or submit an “Intent to File” by August 9, if granted, will have their benefits backdated to August 10th of last year – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law.
To encourage Veterans to apply today, VA facilities is hosting a nationwide Summer VetFest in July. The VetFest will include more than 50 events across the country to inform Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors about the PACT Act. These events will be casual summer gatherings, featuring Veterans, their families, Veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them.
Many of these events will also feature food and music, as well as VA staff who are ready to personally help Veterans apply or submit an intent to file, get screened for toxic exposures, or even apply to come work at VA.
For Veterans that cannot attend a local event, VA.gov/PACT is a one-stop shop to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. They can also apply by calling 1-800-MYVA411.
Learn more about the PACT Act
The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to Burn Pits, Agency Orange, Radiation and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
After the passage of the PACT Act last August, more than 500,000 claims for benefits have been filed by veterans to receive expanded healthcare and benefits entering the month of May.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- 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 VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
More information from the VA
The VA has established a PACT Act webpage to help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
To file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care, please contact your local Veteran Service Office in Oregon.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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