Between 2001 and 2010, over a million and a half troops were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. While there, many of them were exposed to burn pits – fires fueled by toxic materials. Exposure to fumes that smelled like burning plastic went on all day, every day. Some of these fires included things like batteries, arsenic, heavy metals and even jet fuel. And if that wasn’t enough to cause health problems, desert dust, sandstorms, and diesel fumes made things much worse. Breathing fumes from the fires has caused a health crisis among veterans similar to what Agent Orange did to veterans that served in Vietnam.
The PACT Act is a new law that expands the health services offered to veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
Who is covered
If you served in any of the following areas on or after September 11, 2001, you are covered by the PACT Act:
- Afghanistan
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- The airspace above any of these locations
If you served on or after August 2, 1990, in any of the following locations, you are also covered:
- Bahrain
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- The airspace above any of these locations
This matters because many people do not think about toxic exposure right away. Some health problems show up years later. You may have moved on from active duty and started civilian life before you connect your symptoms to your service. The PACT Act is meant to make that connection easier and help more veterans get care.
What the PACT Act does
The PACT Act will:
- Expand and extend eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras.
- Add 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
- Add more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
- Require the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care.
- Help improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.
That toxic exposure screening is important. It gives veterans a chance to tell the VA about where they served and what they may have breathed, touched, or drank. If you are already enrolled in VA health care, you should expect to be asked about toxic exposure. If you are not enrolled, it may be worth asking whether you should apply.
For some veterans, this screening is the first time they have had a direct conversation about the link between service and health problems. It can also help lead to testing, care, or disability claims. If you are not sure how to start, write down your service locations, dates, and any symptoms you have had. Bring that list with you when you talk to the VA.
Other exposures that may qualify
Exposure to other chemicals and materials may also qualify you for care under the PACT Act, including chemical or biological testing between 1942 and 1975, or if you served in Vietnam or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and were exposed to Agent Orange. You may have been exposed to asbestos or mustard gas. If you were at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between August 1953 and December 1987, you may be at risk of illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water. If you were part of warfare testing for Project 112 or Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) from 1962 to 1974, you may be at risk of illnesses caused by chemical testing. If you served in the post-WWII occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, were imprisoned in Japan, worked with or near nuclear weapons testing, or served at a gaseous diffusion plant, you may be at risk of illnesses caused by radiation.
If you were exposed to any of these hazardous conditions, contact the VA to find out if you are eligible for VA disability compensation related to these exposures.
It can help to gather any records you have before you call. That may include discharge papers, service dates, unit information, old medical records, or a list of places you were stationed. Even if you do not have everything, do not assume you are out of options. The VA can help you learn what to do next.
Toxic exposure screenings are available at VA health facilities across the country.
What you can do next
If you think your health may be linked to military service, do not wait to ask questions. Start with the VA and ask about toxic exposure screening, VA health care, and disability compensation. If you already have symptoms, be ready to describe them clearly. Tell them when they started, how often they happen, and how they affect daily life. That may help the VA understand your needs.
Here are a few simple steps that may help:
- Make a list of all places you served.
- Write down symptoms, even if they seem small.
- Keep copies of medical papers and test results.
- Ask if you qualify for VA care or compensation.
- Bring a family member or trusted friend if it helps you remember details.
It is also okay to ask for help if the process feels hard to understand. Many people find disability systems confusing. That is true for veterans, too. If you need help finding disability resources or understanding your options, Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free, and you can call us at (616) 396-5326.
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442 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423
Services
Advocacy
Assistance Animals
Information & Referral
Peer Support
Emergency Readiness
Social Security Disability
Social Participation
Veterans
Skills Development
Employment
Transition
Nursing Home Transition
Youth Services
About
Contact Us
The Ability Award
Blog
DNL Live
Satisfaction Survey
Volunteer
Office Hours: 8am–4:30pm M-F
Privacy Policy
UCP of Michigan
Info@dnlakeshore.org
Phone: (616) 396-5326
Fax: (616) 396-3220