U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs News:
WHAT: PACT Act Presumptive Claims Event: “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing VA Benefits Home”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Tribal Veteran Service Officers and other knowledgeable advocates will assist Veterans complete VA claim paperwork.
Staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration will review claims on-the-spot with the hope of same day approval. In addition, spouses and widows/widowers may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a Veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.
Employees from the Albuquerque VA Health Care System will enroll Veterans in VA health care. As part of the PACT Act process, Veterans can also complete toxic health screenings with VA clinicians.
Assistance will also be available from the Las Cruces Vet Center, the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, and VA Loan Guaranty Office.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Inn of the Mountain Gods Conference Center, 287 Carrizo Road, Mescalero, NM 88340
WHO: Veterans and their spouses/widows/widowers
If you served in the military in any capacity and are unsure if you qualify, you are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and allow VA staff to do research for you.
HOW: If available, Veterans are asked to bring the following documents:
Medical records/medical evidence (e.g., doctor or hospital reports)
Any documents that provide historical or military information needed for the disability you are claiming
Discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent)
Widows are asked to bring dependent records (e.g., marriage certificate, death certificate, children birth certificates)
BACKGROUND:
Collaborating with more than 30 tribal communities, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs continues its PACT Act Presumptive Claims outreach to Indian Country Veterans and all Veterans.
“With the focus on Veterans with presumptive disabilities and those who are pension eligible, VA is hopeful we can help Indian Country Veterans access the full range of benefits they have courageously earned through their service,” said Tribal Relations Specialist Lorae HoMana Pawiki, VA Office of Tribal Government Relations. “VA realizes this initiative can have a direct, tangible impact on the lives of thousands of previously unreached Veterans and their spouses.”
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
The PACT Act brings these changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits at www.va.gov.
