For many veterans, the PACT Act, which was originally passed in 2022, has been a significant boon to help them get disability benefits. It has done this by easing the process for veterans suffering from health problems that, previously, might not have qualified them for benefits. But what exactly is the PACT Act, and how can it potentially help you get veterans disability benefits?
What is the PACT Act?
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or PACT Act for short, is a law that is meant to help veterans suffering from health conditions related to toxic exposure during their military service. This includes exposure to chemicals from burn pits, as well as toxins such as Agent Orange and other similar hazards. Prior to the passage of this law, veterans often struggled to get disability benefits due to difficulty proving the relationship of their medical problems to their service.
What Does the PACT Act Do?
Put simply, the PACT Act lays out a set of medical conditions commonly associated with exposure to burn pits and other toxins which are listed as “presumptive conditions.” Any veterans who served during the Gulf War or in the post-9/11 wars who display these conditions will be presumed to be service-related. This makes it easier for them to get disability benefits, especially for conditions that people may develop even without toxic exposure.
What Conditions are Considered “Presumptive?”
Under the PACT Act, more than twenty medical conditions are considered presumptive, meaning they are assumed to be service-related. These include, but are not limited to:
- Asthma that was diagnosed after service
- Many types of cancer
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
- Granulomatous disease
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
How Can it Affect You?
If you have one of these presumptive conditions, you may qualify for veterans disability benefits under the PACT Act. However, to know for sure, you need to speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability claims. They can go over the facts of your case and help you get the benefits you rightly deserve.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
