With the passing of the PACT Act, you may have many questions as a veteran. As we wait for the VA to interpret the new law and how it will impact veterans, the information below has been gathered to help you navigate the path forward.
Suppose you or a loved one experienced toxic exposure while serving in the military. In that case, we urge you to answer a few quick questions regarding your service and get referred to a VFW Accredited Service Officer. Please note that many predatory organizations have appeared with the PACT Act and are charging exorbitant fees for their services. The VFW has never and will never charge for our services, as it is our mission to ensure that every veteran receives the benefits they earned. Contact a VFW Accredited Service Officer today.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
Gulf War Era Veterans
Under the PACT Act, veterans are entitled to VA health care and compensation benefits if they have served enough time for the VA to concede exposure to particulate matter and have manifested any of the specified diseases after their qualifying service.
Qualifying service for Gulf War era veterans means you either:
- Performed active military service in the following countries during or after the Gulf War (August 2, 1990): Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates. Or;
- Performed active military service in any of the following countries after the start of the Global War on Terrorism (September 11, 2001): Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan or Yemen.
The following cancers and diseases are now presumptive of Gulf War qualifying service:
Brain cancer; gastrointestinal cancer; glioblastoma; head cancer of any type; kidney cancer; lymphatic cancer; lymphoma; melanoma; neck cancer; pancreatic cancer; reproductive cancer of any kind; respiratory cancer; asthma; chronic bronchitis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); rhinitis; sinusitis; constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis; emphysema; granulomatous disease; interstitial lung disease (ILD); pleuritis; pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.
*VA may also assign benefits when the veteran exhibits objective indications of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating, functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia).
Vietnam Era Veterans
Under the PACT Act, veterans are entitled to VA health care and compensation benefits if they have covered service for the VA to concede exposure to herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange) and if they have manifested any of the specified diseases after their qualifying service.
Covered service for Vietnam-era veterans means active service in:
- The Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.
- Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai Base from January 9, 1962, to June 30, 1976.
- Laos from December 14, 1965, to September 30, 1969,
- Cambodia at Mimot, Krek, or the Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1962, to April 30, 1969.
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from April 1, 1968, to August 31, 1971.
- From January 9, 1962, to July 31, 1980, Guam, American Samoa or territorial waters thereof.
- Johnston Atoll or on a ship called Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, to September 30, 1977.
- Air Force or Air Force Reserve veterans who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served aboard a C-123 aircraft known to have been used for spraying herbicides.
PACT Act added specified diseases for Vietnam-era veterans:
- Hypertension
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
*Access the complete list of presumptive conditions related to herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure here.
Nuclear and Radiation-Exposed Veterans
The PACT Act expanded veterans who are eligible for presumptive service connection for diseases that manifested as a result of radiation exposure by adding onsite participation in the following radiation-risk activities:
- Enewetak Atoll cleanup from January 1, 1977, through December 31, 1980.
- Palomares, Spain, response effort from January 17, 1966, thru March 31, 1967.
- Thule, Greenland, response effort from January 21, 1968, thru September 25, 1968.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
For more than three decades, service members, military families, and civilians living and working at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were exposed to toxic drinking water, which has been linked to life-long health effects. The below information has been gathered to assist exposed veterans and their families.
The PACT Act contained a section known as the "Camp Lejeune Justice Act" (CLJA). For the first time in United States history, the federal government uniformly waived immunity and liability against lawsuits for claims arising out of severe illnesses and conditions suffered by exposure to toxic water onboard Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
If you've already met with a VFW-Accredited Service Officer and determined pursuing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is right for you, contact a VFW-entrusted law firm today.
