July 6, 2023
By Bronwyn Emmett
Public Affairs Specialist, VA National Outreach Office
If you have been exposed to a toxic substance during your military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits, even if you have been turned down in the past. You must apply by August 9, 2023, to possibly have your benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, if approved.
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The law adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances, helping VA provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
To learn more about the PACT Act, go to VA.gov/PACT.
