Martinsburg VA Medical Center hosts outreach event for Veterans with potential toxic exposure
PRESS RELEASE
August 4, 2023
Martinsburg , WV — The Martinsburg VA Medical Center PACT Act Outreach event on Thursday, July 27th drew over 200 Veterans who may be entitled to additional benefits related to toxic exposure during military service.
The impending deadline for retroactive PACT Act benefits, Aug. 9, 2023, made the event even more important as Veterans file new claims.
The event provided Veterans the opportunity to learn more about the PACT Act, and the types of benefits to which they may be entitled. Over 120 Veterans received toxic exposure screenings, from health care providers and approximately 100 new claims were filed with the Veterans Benefits Administration.
The “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022,” also known as the PACT Act, was signed into law Aug. 9, 2022 and expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
Veterans wishing to file a claim to meet the retroactive deadline can still do so online. Additionally, if Veterans are not ready to submit a full claim by that date, they can also submit an intent to file by Aug. 9th and still receive the same effective date.