Category Archives: VA Benefits

Congress Approved VA Emergency Spending Bill

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Congress passed an emergency spending bill that covers a nearly $3 billion shortfall for the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the American Legion. Had the measure not passed, more than 7 million veterans stood likely to see delays in VA disability benefits payments after Oct. 1.

The measure calls for about $2.9 billion in additional funding for the VA, of which about $2.3 billion would go toward the Veterans Benefits Administration for compensation and pensions. Roughly $597 million would be put toward readjustment benefits.

The department will also need an additional $12 billion or more beyond its current budget recommendation for the next fiscal year to meet fast-rising demand.

VA enrollment increased 34% in 2024, attributable largely to the increased number of veterans eligible for benefits and care under the PACT Act of 2022, which opened the system up to more than 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic contamination while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces

The VA PACT Act

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Over 5 million Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11 Veterans are eligible for expanded VA health care and benefits under the PACT Act. ~ Veterans Administration

The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is one of the largest benefit expansions in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The bill is named in honor of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, an Ohio National Guard service member who died in 2020 due to exposure to toxic chemicals.

This bill is an effort to expand coverage, treatments, and resources to sick Veterans and others who were impacted by toxins due to service in the U.S. military. The bill passed Congress on August 2, 2022, and was signed into law on August 10th, 2022.

What Does the PACT Act Do for Veterans?

The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps VA provide generations of Veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

The PACT Act also improves the VA’s processes and ability to determine presumptive conditions due to harmful exposure.

The PACT Act will bring the following changes to previous VA health care and benefits:

  • Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
  • Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
  • Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
  • Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
  • Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

Presumptive conditions

To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition.

But for some conditions, the VA automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. The VA calls these “presumptive conditions.”

The VA considers a condition presumptive when it’s established by law or regulation.

If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.

VA disability compensation

VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse.

You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service.

References:

  1. https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
  2. https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction
  3. https://www.va.gov/files/2022-08/PACT-Act-1-Page-Summary%20and%20FAQ.pdf
  4. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2022/pact-act.html