The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps ensure veterans get the care and benefits they've earned and deserve.
What is the PACT Act and how will it affect your VA benefits and care?
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson. This law was passed in his honor to help and provide veterans with illnesses caused by burn pits and other environmental hazards.
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 presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposure
Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures
You are eligible to apply for disability benefits - if you meet the basic service and separation requirements and any of these descriptions are true for you:
1) You served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other post-9/11 combat zone
2) You are deployed in support of the global war on terrorism
3) You have been exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
(BO), also known as obliterative bronchiolitis, constrictive bronchiolitis and popcorn lung, is a disease that results in obstruction of the smallest airways of the lungs (bronchioles) due to inflammation. Symptoms include a dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and feeling tired.
Granulomatous disease
An inherited immunodeficiency disorder which increases the
susceptibility of the body to infections caused by fungi and bacteria, and granuloma formation. This causes swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, fever, runny nose, swelling and redness in mouth
Sarcoidosis
A condition in which there is an abnormal collection of inflammatory cells that form clumps in the lungs, skin or lymph nodes. This results in persistent dry cough and shortness of breath
Emphysema
A lung disease which results in shortness of breath due to destruction and dilatation
of the alveoli
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
A group of lung conditions that causes scarring or fibrosis of lung tissues. This can cause shortness of breath and dry cough
Pleuritis
Inflammation of the pleura, thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs and chest wall. This
can cause severe chest pain that worsens during breathing
Pulmonary fibrosis
A disease in which the lungs become scarred (fibrosed) and damaged
causing difficulty in breathing
