Promise to Treat All Toxins Act (PACT)

From VA.gov – PACT is a new law that extends health care and VA benefits to veterans exposed to hearthstones, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. The PACT Act adds to the list of health problems that we suspect (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve.

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) has VA-accredited representatives ready to help you understand your benefits and file a claim for free. Please feel free to contact us at 801-326-2372 or Veteran.utah.gov. You can also contact the VA with questions at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711) or visit https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

What is PACT and how will it affect my VA benefits and care? The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefits expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The PACT Act will bring these changes:

• Expands and expands VA health care eligibility for substance-exposed veterans and Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 veterans
• Adds more suspected exposure locations for Agent Orange and Radiation
• Helps us improve research, staff training and treatment related to toxic exposures
• If you are a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to seek PACT benefits.

What does it mean to have a condition suspected of toxic exposure?
To obtain a VA disability rating, your disability must be related to your military service. For many health conditions, you must prove that your service caused your condition. But for some conditions, we automatically assume (or “assume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these “presumptive conditions”. We consider a condition to be presumptive when it is established by law or regulation. If you have a suspected condition, you do not need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for presumption.

See eligibility requirements at https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/