Veterans fill up Clarksville Civic Hall to learn about new toxic exposures

Veterans had the opportunity to enroll in VA health care, file a claim, get screened for toxic exposures and connect with VA programs and services. 

The PACT Act is a new historic law passed in August 2022 that expanded health care and benefits related to toxic exposures such as burn pits and Agent Orange. The legislation added over 20 new presumptive conditions like brain cancer, sinusitis, and more believed to be caused by toxins. Not only does PACT Act expand new health care services and benefits for Veterans, but it also provides additional support and funding to VA medical centers to ensure facilities meet the demand of an ever-growing Veteran population. 

"The Clarksville area, from a Veteran’s perspective, is growing exponentially. Talking with Fort Campbell Garrison Commander Colonel Jordan, he confirms that 33% of Veterans who separate from service at Fort Campbell stay in Montgomery County and the surrounding areas," Dücker said at the Clarksville VA PACT Act Fair. 

TVHS was approved for three new buildings including a larger outpatient clinic in Clarksville, Tenn. Services for mental health, dental, primary care, and specialty and surgical care would be part of the expansion Dücker shared with the audience.

"In addition with the PACT Act, our functions allow us to focus on women’s health. Women Veterans are a fast-growing population in Clarksville. These changes will help eliminate the drive to Nashville for many Veterans and their families," he added. 

Since August 2022, VA has completed more than 3.2 million toxic exposure screenings and 1.4 million follow-up screenings. Locally, TVHS has conducted more than 50,000 initial screenings and more than 22,300 follow-up screenings. More than 100 Veterans completed an exposure screening at the Clarksville VA PACT Act Fair.

Veterans are screened at primary and specialty care appointments and it takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Veterans are asked a series of questions related to where they served, when they served, and current health conditions they may be experiencing.

In addition to expanded health care services, the PACT Act also allows for enhanced benefits and compensation from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). 

“Our duty is to help veterans process claims associated with the PACT Act. The top five conditions granted through the act are hypertension, rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal cavity, asthma, and an assortment of cancers. We want to help you get paid,” said Charles Moore Jr., the Nashville VBA Regional Office Executive Director. 

VBA has processed more than 500,000 claims since the PACT Act was enacted, and the Nashville team has completed over 5,000 claims. 

Looking ahead, TVHS and its partners plan to host another jam-packed PACT Act Fair in the late summer at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center in Clarksville. To learn more about VA and PACT Act you've earned, visit va.gov/PACT.