The implementation of the PACT Act has led to an extension of toxic exposure benefits for US veterans. Since President Joe Biden signed the law almost a year ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has received over 772,000 claims from military personnel who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.
Recently, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee received an update on the progress of the PACT Act’s implementation. Officials from the agency provided details about their efforts since August 2022 to connect veterans and survivors with the benefits and services they are entitled to.
Under the PACT Act, healthcare services are now available to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service. This includes individuals who developed illnesses linked to burn pits, which were used by the military to dispose of chemicals and waste at bases during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Act also expanded services for veterans with conditions related to Agent Orange use during the Vietnam War and other toxic substances.
Before the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs denied 70% of disability claims related to burn pit exposure. However, the department has now announced a review to study the correlation between three different blood cancers and toxic exposure during deployments in the Middle East and southwest Asia.
Joshua Jacobs, the department’s undersecretary for benefits, informed the senators that the new benefits provided by the PACT Act, along with their efforts to reach out to veterans and survivors, have resulted in an increasing number of veterans pursuing their entitled benefits. Thus far, the Department of Veterans Affairs has processed 425,000 claims, with an approval rate of nearly 79%.
In a recent analysis, it was revealed that nearly 8,800 PACT Act claims have been submitted by Arkansans since August 10, 2022. Arkansas currently has around 100,000 veterans enrolled with the VA for healthcare purposes, with 2,500 new enrollees.
The hearing emphasized the importance of reaching out to veterans residing in rural areas. Senator John Boozman expressed concerns about whether the department is doing enough to inform these individuals and families about the law. In response, Joshua Jacobs highlighted the department’s efforts to collaborate with local and state partners to identify opportunities for outreach. He also mentioned a recent trip to Caribou, Maine, where they studied outreach in the community and discovered the effectiveness of hosting outreach events outside of VA facilities.
Additionally, senator Boozman emphasized the impact of radio in rural areas, to which Jacobs acknowledged the effectiveness of rural radio for reaching veterans in those regions.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been actively engaging with veterans and their families through various outreach events. For example, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks is hosting a PACT Act Summer VetFest at its Fayetteville facility, offering additional activities and carnival fare for attendees. Similarly, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System organized a PACT Act event at the Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center in North Little Rock, where about 550 people participated. These events aim to encourage new claims and provide vital information to veterans and their families.
With the deadline approaching, August 9, for parties to file claims or submit intent to remain eligible for benefits backdating to August 10, 2022, the department’s outreach efforts are critical. Post-9/11 combat veterans who served between 2001 and 2013 have until September 30 to enroll in VA health care through a one-year window created by the PACT Act.
The progress made in implementing the PACT Act has brought significant benefits to US veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to work diligently to ensure veterans and survivors are informed about their entitled benefits, striving for greater outreach in rural areas and collaborating with communities to provide support and care.
