The Honoring our PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances. It also adds to the list of health conditions that the VA assumes (or “presumes”) are caused by exposure to these substances, and helps provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition. But for some conditions, the VA automatically assumes (or “presumes”) that your service caused your condition. Those are called “presumptive conditions.” If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption. Now, thanks to the PACT Act, if you have a condition connected with toxic exposure, you merely need to prove exposure to be eligible for a presumptive condition.
You can read more about the PACT Act on the VA's website, or you can talk to your local Veterans Service Officer with questions.
Additionally, if you applied for benefits from the VA but are having a hard time getting clarity or answers, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, my office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.
In order for us to be able to speak with the VA, you must give written consent to proceed with this type of request. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) requires that Members of Congress, or their staff, have written authorization before they can obtain information about an individual's case. When you fill out a casework request, please include all pertinent information and claim numbers in your correspondence.