PACT Act Claims Assistance, Toxic Exposures Screenings Clinic and Town Halls to be held at Littleton’s VFW Post 816 with Veterans Affairs Officials
PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2024
Littleton , NH — A free event for Veterans seeking guidance on the PACT Act of 2022 (also known as the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) takes place April 19, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at VFW Post 816 in Littleton, New Hampshire
This event is hosted by Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Vet Center. Expert personnel will be available to help Veterans understand what the PACT Act means for them, their loved ones, and their fellow Veterans and servicemembers.
This event comes after VA announced that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – became eligible to enroll directly in VA health care beginning March 5, 2024. This means that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.
Highlights of this legislation include:
• Expanding and extending eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post 9/11 Veterans
• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive locations for Agent Orange and radiation exposure
• Provides toxic exposure screenings to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
Veterans, servicemembers, and survivors are strongly encouraged to apply now for their PACT Act benefits.
Conditions caused by toxic exposures have taken a serious toll on many Veterans and their families. As of August 10, 2022, the date the bill was signed into law, VA considers all conditions established in the PACT Act to be presumptive. For a “presumptive condition” Veterans do not need to prove that their service caused the condition.
Any Veteran or survivor can learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.
Together, White River Junction VA, Manchester VA, Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), and Vet Center welcome Veterans, survivors and loved ones to take advantage of claims assistance from VBA, eligibility support, and a toxic exposure screening clinic to receive the services, care, and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
Complete event details are below:
WHAT: PACT Act VBA claims assistance and VHA eligibility clinic
WHEN: Friday, April 19, 2024
WHERE: Littleton VFW Post 816
600 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH
TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Town Hall opportunities will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and again at 12:00 p.m. (at noon the town hall will also be streamed live on WRJ VAMC’s Facebook Page).
Registration is highly encouraged, but not required. To pre-register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/9zcx8b2f or scan the QR code. Walk-ins are welcome.
We encourage Veterans to attend and ask that you help spread the word about this important event and recent legislation.