The Department of Veterans Affairs will host town hall events and open houses at more than 90 facilities nationwide next week to educate veterans on benefits available under a sweeping toxic exposure law that was enacted in August.
The VA's “PACT Act Week of Action” begins Saturday and runs through Dec. 17. Veterans or their survivors who attend the events will be able to learn about the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act and, in many cases, apply for related medical care and benefits, according to the VA.
“We are going to be doing screenings and connecting [veterans] directly with claims experts to help them file their benefits claims, should they screen positive,” John Boerstler, VA's chief experience officer, said during a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday.
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Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 era veterans may be eligible for benefits under the law if they were exposed to toxic fumes, burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other environmental hazards during their military service. Survivors of toxic-exposed veterans or veterans who served in specific countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia may be eligible, as well.
The PACT Act extended the amount of time post-9/11 veterans can enroll in VA health care by up to 10 years after discharge and also gave certain veterans who…
