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Senate passes PACT Act
Updates on Agent Orange exposure, VA disability compensation
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide the U.S. military used to clear leaves and vegetation for military operations mainly during the Vietnam War. Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange may have certain related illnesses.
If you have an illness caused by exposure to Agent Orange during military service, read below to find out if you may be eligible for disability compensation and how to apply.
Three more presumptive conditions were recently added related to Agent Orange exposure, which expands benefits for veterans and survivors with these presumptive conditions: • Bladder cancer • Hypothyroidism • Parkinsons
If a claim was denied for any of these conditions in the past, the VA will automatically review your case again. You don't need to file another claim. You’ll be sent a letter to let you know your case is being reviewed.
Am I eligible for VA disability benefits based on exposure to Agent Orange?
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits if you meet both of these requirements.
Both of these must be true: • You have an illness that’s caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and • You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange
When sound medical and scientific evidence shows that an illness is caused by Agent Orange exposure, we add it to our list of presumptive diseases. If you’ve been diagnosed with one of these illnesses, you don’t need to prove that it started during – or got worse because of –your military service.
If you have an illness that’s not on the official list of presumptive diseases, but you believe it was caused by Agent Orange exposure, you can still file a claim for VA disability benefits, but you’ll need to submit more evidence.
Senate approves PACT Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following heavy criticism from veterans groups, many Senate Republicans reversed a previous position to approve legislation designed to aid veterans fighting health conditions that could be linked to toxic exposure.
The final vote was 86-11 which sends the PACT Act to President Joe Biden. Although there was initial support for an earlier version last spring, lawmakers resisted approval primarily due to concern over other bills that Democrats were championing.
GOP leaders claimed that there were some procedural questions holding up their support, including where the funds would come from.
However, public pressure was strong claiming they broke their word to veterans, including attention from comedian and activist Jon Stewart and national veteran organizations.
The act advises the Department of Veterans Affairs to presume that certain illness faced by veterans may have been due to exposure to authorized burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq. It places any burden of proof on the VA vs. affected veterans.
Officially called the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, the legislation will:
• Expand VA health care eligibility to more than 3.5 million toxicexposed Post-9/11 combat veterans; • Create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure; • Add 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions, including hypertension; • Expand presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure; • Includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations for Agent Orange exposure; • Strengthen federal research on toxic exposure; • Improve VA’s resources and training for toxic-exposed veterans; • And set VA and veterans up for success by investing in VA claims processing; VA’s workforce; and VA health care facilities.
For more info, including details about eligibility or how to file a disability claim, update a pending claim, or re-visit a denied claim, visit www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-actand-your-va-benefits/#vietnam-eraveteran-eligibility
