Understanding the PACT Act
Submitted by
Veteran & Family Services Office
The PACT Act was signed into law on Aug.10, 2022. It was one of the largest pieces of legislation for granting healthcare and benefits to Veterans. It has greatly expanded the number of Veterans eligible to receive VA Healthcare and benefits.
We’ve all seen the commercials on television that lists the 23 new presumptive conditions acknowledged under the PACT ACT. The commercials, however are confusing. They don’t explain how to know if you are eligible. Let’s break it down.
The conditions of hypertension (high blood pressure) and MGUS (a non-cancerous blood disorder) only apply to the Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodian, Guam/Samoa, and Johnston Atoll Veterans that were presumed exposed to Agent Orange. The Act covers the exposed Veterans not previous covered outside of Vietnam to be acknowledged for all Agent Orange presumptive conditions. The exposure dates for these locations is specifically limited. The Blue Water Act covered those at sea (close range) for Agent Orange exposure.
If you are a Veteran that deployed to Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE or any of the airspaces above those areas after August 2, 1990, then you are covered by the other 21 PACT Act presumptive conditions.
If you are a Veteran that deployed after September 11, 2001 to Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen or any of the air spaces above those areas, then you are covered by the other 21 PACT Act presumptive conditions.
The PACT ACT acknowledges radiation exposure in Spain, Enewetak Atoll, the B-52 Clean-up off Palomares coast and the B-52 fire in Greenland (all during specific dates). Under individual circumstances, health conditions caused by Ionizing radiation may be acknowledged.
The VA is considering Toxic Exposures specific to your military occupational specialty. Even if you have service connected disabilities, those conditions or medications for those conditions, might cause secondary conditions. There is a possibility of service connecting the secondary conditions and increasing your overall disability rating.
Most likely, one of the places where you were stationed (stateside) was a contaminated military base. There are medical conditions (specific to each location) that may qualify for service connected benefits.
You may qualify for healthcare and benefits for contaminated water exposure if you were stationed at contaminated installations including Camp LeJeune.
Remember, anytime you apply for disability benefits you are applying for medical conditions caused by or related to your time in service. Applying for these/any service connected disabilities can determine a possible benefit for a surviving spouse.
Please make an appointment to speak with someone in our Department to discuss your eligibility for healthcare and benefits covered by the PACT act and Toxic Exposures.
You served! You earned it!
Peer Support Specialist - Wesley Rhodes 520-610-4383
Peer Support Specialist - Darrell Whitman 520-610-2037
Veteran Service Officer – Kim Skelton 520-610-7644