03/07/2024
ATTENDTION ALL VETERANS - NEW PACT ACT -UPDATE
VA Expands Health Care Eligibility for all Veterans Exposed to Toxins and Other Hazards During Military Service
Historic Expansion of Health Care
As you may have heard, the VA just announced that beginning March 5, 2024, all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving our country at home or abroad – including all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 – are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are also eligible to enroll.
This historic expansion of health care comes after the VA eliminated the phased-in approach to health care eligibility called for by the PACT Act – meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law.
Here's What It Means for Veterans
Beginning March 5th, VA is making three new groups of Veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than called for by the PACT Act:
Veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service;
Veterans who were assigned to certain duty stations in Southwest Asia or parts of Africa; and
Veterans who deployed in support of certain operations after 9/11.
If you served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, or Afghanistan, you can enroll.
If you deployed to any combat zone after 9/11, you can enroll.
If you deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, you can enroll.
And even if you never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or serving on active duty here at home – by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more – you can enroll, too.
Bottom line: all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards – at home or abroad – are eligible to enroll in VA care beginning March 5, 2024.
Apply Now
This is the biggest expansion of care in generations, and VA wants you to apply as soon as possible.
It’s quick and easy to enroll. You don’t need to be sick or file a claim to become eligible; all you have to do is show that you served in one of those locations or operations – or participated in one of the activities that could have exposed you to toxins or hazards. VA health care is proven to be the best, most affordable care in America for Veterans – and Veterans who come to VA have better health outcomes.
Even if you don’t think you need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. All you have to do is enroll, then you have access for life.
More Information
So don’t miss this opportunity: better, more affordable health care is waiting for you. Go to www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411.
If you need assistance, contact your local DMAVA Veterans Service Officer, your County Veterans Services Office or your local VFW Post
The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. And starting March 5, 2024, w...
