The Department of Veterans Affairs (also known as the VA) has begun processing PACT Act claims, beginning with terminally ill veterans. This Act, which was passed on August 10, helps to expand accessibility of VA benefits for veterans affected by burn pits, Agent Orange, and other forms of toxic exposure. As a result, many veterans, including those with terminal illnesses, will be able to receive VA disability benefits they may have been previously denied.
What is the PACT Act?
The “Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022,” also known simply as the PACT Act for short, is a law that was passed earlier this year to help veterans suffering from the effects of toxic exposure they experienced during their military service. Typically, this involves people who were exposed to burn pits, large open pits where the military burns its garbage, which are known to give off toxic fumes. It also includes those exposed to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange, which is a chemical defoliant used during the Vietnam War that can cause cancer and other serious health problems.
