Retroactive deadline of PACT Act fast approaching

On May 25, 2022, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough congratulated Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Montana Senator Jon Tester and Ranking Member Kansas Senator Jerry Moran on their work with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics or (PACT) Act of 2022. 

The Act is approaching the first anniversary as law. The VA has stated that there is no deadline to apply for benefits that connect to the PACT Act, however, if veterans file a PACT Act claim or submit an intent to file by Aug. 9, 2023, they may receive benefits backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, when the legislation was passed.

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Sheridan VA Health Care System Eligibility and Enrollment administrative officer and veteran of the Iraq War and Global War on Terrorism, Michael Elbrecht, suggested that veterans come into the Sheridan VA and speak with him before this deadline to determine if they are eligible for benefits.

This law addresses health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.

What this really means is hundreds of thousands of veterans who served in various locations at certain periods of time who were once not eligible for service connected care and told their ailments did not qualify them for benefits can now receive VA health care benefits. 

The VA automatically presumes that certain disabilities were caused by these pits during military service. This is because of the unique circumstances of a specific veterans military service, which may have caused the presumptive diseases or conditions that for one reason or another cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to have been caused by the service but in most cases, no other cause can be found.  

Many veterans who have served during the more recent conflicts and were exposed to the toxic smoke and fumes from burn pits have developed many debilitating conditions since returning home. Presumptive conditions for airborne hazards and burn pit exposure include, but are not limited to many different types of cancers, chronic bronchitis, and asthma (diagnosed after service) and many others debilitating and life threatening conditions. 

Learn much more about the PACT Act by clicking here.