TOXIC EXPOSURE & THE PACT ACT
Benefits Q&A
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
Am I Eligible?
EXPANDED VA BENEFITS: WHAT THE PACT ACT MEANS FOR YOU
Veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, and have been awarded one of the following medals:
Campaign Specific Medal.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Service Specific Expeditionary Medal.
Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal.
Any other combat theater award established by law or executive order.
Veterans who do not meet the post-9/11 medals criteria but served in other areas of known exposure.
On or after Aug. 2, 1990: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (new), or U.A.E.
On or after Sept. 11, 2001: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt (new), Jordan (new), Lebanon (new), Syria, Yemen (new), or Uzbekistan.
Any risk of exposure recorded in an exposure record tracking system, including Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER).
Any other location VA secretary determines is appropriate.
Service in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, or Resolute Support Mission.
1. Post-9/11 Combat Veterans Medal Recipients
The PACT Act expands VA health care enrollment eligibility for two groups. Identify whether you meet the criteria for either group below (click on the boxes for more information).
2. VETERANS WHO SERVED IN OTHER AREAS OF KNOWN EXPOSURE
VA Health Care
Open Enrollment Dates
POST-9/11 COMBAT VETERANS
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
enrollment period has been extended. You now have 10 years to enroll in VA health care after discharge.
If you were discharged over 10 years ago: You will have one year to enroll in VHA beginning Oct. 1, 2022. If you do not enroll during this one-year period, you will be subject to the phased enrollment periods.
VETERANS WHO SERVED IN OTHER AREAS
OF KNOWN EXPOSURE
Permanent eligibility for VA care will be phased in over a 10-year period based on discharge date:
DISCHARGE DATES ELIGIBILITY BEGINS
Aug. 2, 1990 - Sept. 11, 2001 Oct. 1, 2024
Sept. 12, 2001 - Dec. 31, 2006 Oct. 1, 2026
Jan. 1, 2007 - Dec. 31, 2012 Oct. 1, 2028
Jan. 1, 2013 - Dec. 31, 2018 Oct. 1, 2030
VA Disability Compensation
Dates & Locations
Time and Location: A veteran must show service in an area of known toxic exposure. The new law recognizes service in the following locations:
On or after Aug. 2, 1990: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (new), or U.A.E.
On or after Sept. 11, 2001: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt (new), Jordan (new), Lebanon (new), Syria, Yemen (new), or Uzbekistan
VA Disability Compensation Presumptive Conditions
MORE INFORMATION
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:
Eligible veterans who filed claims for one of the presumptive conditions and were previously denied are encouraged to file a supplemental claim. Claims that are currently pending require no action and will be considered on a presumptive basis.
The PACT ACT establishes a framework that requires VA to add new presumptive disabilities
based on available data for all toxic exposures, now and in the future.
The PACT Act requires periodic toxic exposure screening for all VA health care enrollees.
The PACT Act expands presumptive disabilities related to Agent Orange exposure.
For more information about the PACT Act and how WWP can help, click here.
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Other Eligibility Information
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer of any type
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory cancer of any type
Asthma diagnosed after service
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
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Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
Should a veteran get assistance with filing benefits claims under the PACT Act, and how do they know where to find it?
Should a veteran get assistance with filing benefits claims under the PACT Act, and how do they know where to find it?
Will filing a claim under the PACT Act negatively affect a veteran already receiving disability benefits?
Will filing a claim under the PACT Act negatively affect a veteran already receiving disability benefits?
Do you have to be signed up with the burn pit registry to qualify for benefits under the PACT Act?
Click arrows for answers
Read More Questions & Answers
One misconception is that veterans need to pay somebody to assist them with their benefits. They do not. Rather, they should seek out a VA-accredited representative who will help them free of charge simply because of the sacrifices they made through their military service.
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Absolutely not, but it is a common question. The VA will only review the issues that are claimed and has no intention of digging into other entitlements or reducing benefits that are unrelated to the PACT Act claims, even veterans already rated 100%. We don't want any veteran out there to hesitate to file for potential entitlements that they have as a result of the PACT Act out of fear of their VA disability status changing.
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No. The burn pit registry is a separate program designed for research purposes to determine how toxic exposure affected people but it doesn't have anything to do with the PACT Act claims process, nor is it required to access the care or benefits entitled under the PACT Act.
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Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
THE PACT ACT IS LAW
Wounded Warrior Project worked for years alongside other veterans service organizations to get this historic legislation passed, but our work has just begun. In this video, WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington gives an overview of the legislation, and discusses who it affects, VA health care eligibility, and more.
Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
of WWP warriors who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11 indicated burn pit exposure.
80.3%
of those warriors exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11 were exposed daily or weekl;y.
82.6%
2022 ANNUAL WARRIOR SURVEY AND TOXIC EXPOSURE
WWP identified and included toxic exposure and its impact on quality of life as a special topic of interest in the 2022 Annual Warrior Survey.
Explore the complete findings
26.5% Cough for more than three weeks
28.4% Chest pain, chest discomfort or chest tightness
29.2% Chronic sinus infection/sinusitus
38.2% Shortness of breath or breathlessness
38.3% Decreased ability to exercise
5 Most Common Exposure-related symptoms REPORTED BY WARRIORS:
Exposure to contaminants or other environmental hazards is a major health issue for post-9/11 veterans. Nearly all the warriors served by WWP report being exposed to hazardous or toxic substances during their service. Nearly 81% of WWP warriors who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan reported exposure to burn pits.
The SFC Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act provides health care and benefits to veterans who suffer from illnesses related to exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances while in service.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been a staunch supporter of the PACT Act since the beginning, helping build and support legislation that will entitle toxic-exposed veterans to the care and benefits they deserve.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT TOXIC EXPOSURE AND THE PACT ACT ...
There’s a constant point of communication between our service officers and warriors ... What happens to the veterans impacts us [at Wounded Warrior Project] and what we do impacts them.
-WWP Benefits Services Specialist Timothy Velasquez
We were in a terrible environment. We drove past burn pits every day, but I didn’t know what that meant.
Warrior and cancer survivor Dan Nevins
There are a lot of things you'll find in the military that you're exposed to that you never even realized at the time. ... Now we have a lot of people who have survived those exposures and are getting older, and those effects are showing up.
Warrior and cancer survivor Andrew Myatt
The enactment of the Honoring Our Pact Act caps years of work by many veterans, lawmakers, veterans service organizations, and the American public.
-WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington
®
Veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, and have been awarded one of the following medals:
Campaign Specific Medal.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Service Specific Expeditionary Medal.
Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal.
Any other combat theater award established by law or executive order.
Veterans who do not meet the
post-9/11 medals criteria but served in other areas of known exposure.
On or after Aug. 2, 1990: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (new), or U.A.E.
On or after Sept. 11, 2001: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt (new), Jordan (new), Lebanon (new), Syria, Yemen (new),
or Uzbekistan.
Any risk of exposure recorded in an exposure record tracking system, including Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER).
Any other location VA secretary determines is appropriate.
Service in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, or Resolute Support Mission
POST-9/11 COMBAT VETERANS
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
enrollment period has been extended You now have 10 years to enroll in VA health care after discharge.
If you were discharged over 10 years ago: You will have one year to enroll in VHA beginning Oct. 1, 2022. If you do not enroll during this one-year period, you will be subject to the phased enrollment periods.
VETERANS WHO SERVED IN OTHER AREAS OF KNOWN EXPOSURE
Permanent eligibility for VA care will be phased in over a 10-year period based on discharge date:
DISCHARGE DATES ELIGIBILITY
Aug. 2, 1990 - Sept. 11, 2001 Oct. 1, 2024
Sept. 12, 2001 - Dec. 31, 2006 Oct. 1, 2026
Jan. 1, 2007 - Dec. 31, 2012 Oct. 1, 2028
Jan. 1, 2013 - Dec. 31, 2018 Oct. 1, 2030
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:
Eligible veterans who filed claims for one of the presumptive conditions and were previously denied are encouraged to file a supplemental claim. Claims that are currently pending require no action and will be considered on a presumptive basis.
The PACT ACT establishes a framework that requires VA to add new presumptive disabilities based on available data for all toxic exposures, now and in the future.
The PACT Act requires periodic toxic exposure screenings for all VA health care enrollees.
The PACT Act expands presumptive disabilities related to Agent Orange exposure.
For more information about the PACT Act and how WWP can help, click here.
Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
Benefits Q&A
Am I Eligible?
Report Findings
PACT Act Video
29.2% Chronic sinus infection/sinusitus
Absolutely not, but it is a common
question. The VA will only review the issues that are claimed and has no intention of digging into other entitlements or reducing benefits that are unrelated to the PACT Act claims, even veterans already rated 100%. We don't want any veteran out there to hesitate to file for potential entitlements that they have as a result of the PACT Act out of fear of their VA disability status changing.
Next: Benefits Q&A
Next: PACT ACT VIDEO
Next: SURVEY FINDINGS
PREVious: AM I ELIGIBLE?
-WWP Benefits Services Specialist
Timothy Velasquez
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory cancer of any type
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic rhinitis
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer of any type
