As the one-year anniversary of the historic PACT Act signing approaches, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — with support from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS — is intensifying its efforts to provide the benefits and increased presumptions promised by the legislation to Veterans who were exposed to toxins while serving, as well as family members who have lost loved ones to service-connected illnesses.
The PACT Act expands and extends eligibility for health care benefits for Veterans with toxic exposures, encompassing Veterans from the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 era.
This extension means that over 3.5 million Veterans are now eligible for additional health benefits.
Notably, the PACT Act also offers an opportunity for Post-9/11 Veterans, who may be interacting with the VA for the first time, to access these extended benefits.
It’s crucial to note that the approaching Aug. 9th deadline serves as the urgency for Veterans and survivors who wish to qualify for retroactive benefits.
To be eligible for backdated benefits, they must submit their claims or intent to file by Aug. 9, 2023.
Although the VA will continue to accept claims after the August 9 deadline, it’s important to understand that they won’t be eligible for retroactive benefits.
Consequently, it is strongly advised that Veterans, caregivers, and illness-loss survivors submit their applications as soon as possible to maximize their benefits.
Recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) indicates that nearly 700,000 Veterans have already filed a PACT Act claim since the law was enacted, highlighting the significant interest in accessing these benefits.
The most common claim under the PACT Act thus far is hypertension, which accounts for over 100,000 of the nearly 400,000 claims.
This is primarily due to the law now recognizing hypertension as another condition tied to Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in Vietnam.
While Veterans who served in the Vietnam War era have been proactive in applying for benefits, advocates have expressed the need for the VA to increase outreach efforts to recent Veterans.
“Veterans have made invaluable contributions to our nation, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the benefits they have earned and truly deserve,” said Joshua Jacobs, Under Secretary of Benefits for the VA.
Jacobs further emphasized the significance of filing a claim on or before Aug. 9, as it allows for the preservation of the earliest possible effective date.
By doing so, Veterans have the potential to receive backdated benefits starting from Aug. 10, 2022, when the law was enacted.
Submitting the application requires military and health records.
If applicants are unable to gather all the necessary documentation by Aug. 9, the VA allows for an “intent to file” submission.
The “intent to file” is a simple form that serves as a declaration of interest in filing a claim. By submitting this form, Veterans can preserve their claim date and secure the earliest possible effective dates while allowing an additional year to compile any required information.
VA administrators believe that millions of Veterans and survivors are potentially eligible to benefit from this new law.
Recognizing the significant number of Veterans residing in Washington state due to its high military presence, there is a concerted effort to ensure that every Veteran in the state receives the benefits they have rightfully earned and deserve.
The PACT Act also mandates that the VA formally evaluates new conditions based on medical evidence and data every year.
Soon, the VA will propose a list for evaluation, further enhancing the scope of benefits available to eligible Veterans.
News: Electronic Health Record System Unveiled!
March 12, 2024
Listen to a Full Summary of This Blog Post Below! The Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have jointly initiated an electronic health
