PACT Act expanded for burn pit related cancer; Eases burden of proof for certain cancers

Article Title: Act expanded for burn pit related cancer; Eases burden of proof for certain cancers

Article Excerpt: "...The new step lowers the burden for veterans deployed to the Middle East during the Gulf War and after 9/11 to prove certain cancers are related to their service. If they are approved for disability benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fully covers their related cancer treatment. ..."

Reference Source: www.usatoday.com

The VA has vowed to fix how veterans receive disability benefits for this burn pit injury. Critics say it’s taking too long

Article Title: The VA has vowed to fix how veterans receive disability benefits for this burn pit injury. Critics say it’s taking too long

Article Excerpt: "...For years, veterans who live with a debilitating lung ailment after being exposed to toxic air and burning trash during their service have reported they’ve struggled to get disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs...."

Reference Source: www.pbs.org

118,000 Minnesota veterans eligible for expanded health care

Article Title: 118,000 Minnesota veterans eligible for expanded health care

Article Excerpt: "...“All they have to show now is where they served,” Klobuchar said. “They may know they were exposed to toxins, but even if they don’t know, the VA is going to do the research for them. We’ve severely moved up the deadline so that more vets can be immediately eligible.” The increased eligibility, which began on March 5, comes from an expansion of the 2022 PACT Act – which has so far brought health care to more than 700,000 veterans who had been exposed to Agent Orange, radiation, burning pits of waste and other toxins while serving...."

Reference Source: www.mprnews.org

What are the 23 illnesses related to burn pits?

Article Title: What are the 23 illnesses related to burn pits?

Article Excerpt: "...Burn pit presumptive conditions include: Asthma (if not diagnosed before discharge), Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Constrictive or obliterative bronchiolitis, Emphysema, Granulomatous disease, Interstitial lung diseases, Pleuritis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Chronic Sinusitis ... if you served in a location with operational burn pits. "

Reference Source: vaclaimsinsider.com

The PACT Act and your VA benefits

Article Title: The PACT Act and your VA benefits

Article Excerpt: "The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. ..."

Reference Source: www.va.gov

Veterans See Historic Expansion of Benefits for Toxic Exposure as New Law Nears Anniversary

Article Title: Veterans See Historic Expansion of Benefits for Toxic Exposure as New Law Nears Anniversary

Article Excerpt: "...the administration is racing to sign up as many people as possible as the first anniversary of the law approaches. Although there's no deadline to apply, anyone who files a claim or simply signals the intent to do so by Wednesday could collect payments retroactive to last year if the claim is approved. Under the law, certain cancers and ailments are presumed to be connected to the burn pits that were used to dispose of trash and potentially toxic materials. ..."

Reference Source: www.military.com

200,000 veterans exposed to burn pits, chemicals apply for expanded health benefits

Article Title: 200,000 veterans exposed to burn pits, chemicals apply for expanded health benefits

Article Excerpt: "...The bill extends benefits to service members from Vietnam, the Gulf War and post-9/11 era conflicts who have cancers and 22 other severe illnesses linked to burn pits, airborne pollution, Agent Orange and other toxins. ..."

Reference Source: www.newsday.com

After 3 Tries, Veterans Toxic Exposure Bill -- the PACT Act -- Finally Passes US Senate

Article Title: After 3 Tries, Veterans Toxic Exposure Bill -- the PACT Act -- Finally Passes US Senate

Article Excerpt: "...The bill designates 23 diseases as presumed to be linked to military service" The bill also contains provisions for veterans who served in previous conflicts. It would expand benefits for Vietnam-era veterans who have developed hypertension as a result of Agent Orange exposure; would allow veterans and family members sickened by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to file lawsuits; and expand coverage for veterans exposed to radiation during hazardous cleanups in the 1960s and 1970s.

Reference Source: www.military.com

Burn Pits: Corporate America Wins Again, Military Vets Pay The Price

Article Title: Supreme Court rejects appeal over military burn pits

Snippet of Article: "... The Supreme Court is rejecting appeals from military veterans who claim they suffer health problems because of open burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The justices on Monday left in place a federal appeals court ruling that more than 60 lawsuits over the burn pits could not go forward..."

Article Source: abcnews.go.com