PACT Act Information Session

The Honoring our PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service. This law helps provide veterans with the benefits and care they need, earned, and deserve. To enroll and benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT. 

If you or a veteran you know would like to learn more about how the PACT Act can help, you can watch a virtual information session hosted by my office here. Additionally, you can access the presentation with resources for veterans here.

About the Honoring our PACT Act

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years. For post-9/11 combat veterans, the bill extends the period of time they have to enroll in VA health care from five to ten years post-discharge. For those combat veterans who do not fall within that window, the bill also creates a one-year open enrollment period.

The legislation removes the need for certain veterans and their survivors to prove service connection if they are diagnosed with one of 23 specific conditions. This list includes 11 respiratory related conditions, along with several forms of cancer, including reproductive cancers, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and brain cancers such as glioblastoma. Survivors of veterans who died due to one of these conditions may now also be eligible for benefits. The bill also requires the VA to conduct new studies of veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War and analyses of post-9/11 veterans’ health trends. The new law also directs the Secretary of the VA to convene a new interagency working group to develop a five-year strategic plan on toxic exposure research.

Benefits for Vietnam Veterans

• Expands the VA’s presumptions of service-connected illness related to Agent Orange exposure for those who were exposed in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll.
• Provides judicial relief to victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune by eliminating burdensome red tape to ensure that those exposed to toxic chemicals, including servicemembers, Marine dependents, civil servants, and contractors, can receive their day in court.

Benefits for Survivors

• Simplifies the process for survivors previously denied Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Click here to learn more.
• Surviving family members may apply for benefits at VA.gov/family-member-benefits.

If you are a veteran and would like to enroll in benefits from the VA, visit VA.gov/PACT or click here. To learn more about Congressman Ruiz's work on the Honoring our PACT Act, click here.