WASHINGTON, D.C.-Beginning on March. 5, all veterans exposed to toxic chemicals at home or abroad will be eligible for Veterans Administration health care.
According to the VA, all veterans who served from the Vietnam War to any post-9/11 combat zone are eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits, in one of the administration’s largest expansion of benefits ever.
“Beginning March 5, we’re making millions of Veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than called for by the PACT Act,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D.
The PACT Act, signed into law by President Biden in Aug. 2022 originally called for a phased expansion of benefits, however, the President recently urged the VA to eliminate the phased-in approach to ensure care for more veterans quicker, according to a VA press release.
Eligible veterans should visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more about the benefits available and to apply starting on March. 5.
“If you’re a Veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, at home or abroad, we want you to come to us for the health care you deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
