VA expands eligibility for those exposed to toxins
NAPLES, Fla. – Veterans who were exposed to burn pit fumes and other toxic substances can immediately sign up for medical care under a major revision of federal policy.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has broadened benefits’ eligibility for veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving, whether abroad or at home.
Specifically, the federal agency eliminated a phased-in approach through 2032 for enrollment and veterans do not need to have a service-connected disability to qualify as previously required, according to a VA spokesman.
The VA says the change is one of the largest ever expansions of health care for veterans. It will help millions who now or may down the road face medical conditions because of toxin exposure, including cancer, so they can get medical care sooner than what was under a 2022 law.
That’s when President Biden signed the PACT Act, which stands for Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act. Taking effect in January 2023, the law added roughly two dozen medical conditions for benefits for veterans exposed to burn pit toxins, Agent Orange and other harmful substances.
Since the PACT Act took effect in 2023, the VA has hired 52,000 more personnel, including physicians and support staff, to work at outpatient clinics and hospitals in response to the enrollment uptick. The hiring was in anticipation of a push to cut out the phased enrollment.
With the phased-in approach eliminated and no longer needing to have a service-connected disability, the VA estimates 3.5 million veterans are eligible under the expansion that took effect March 5.
Here is a snapshot of who is eligible under the recent expansion:
Veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service.
Veterans who were assigned to certain duty stations in Southwest Asia or parts of Africa.
Veterans who deployed in support of certain operations after Sept. 11, 2001.
The eligibility extends to veterans who were never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty.
“This means all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in the VA health care without first applying for VA benefits,” according to a VA news release.
Burn pits have been used for decades to dispose of waste generated on American military bases overseas, where jet fuel was often used to ignite the waste.
Veterans experience medical conditions such as respiratory illness and diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. A long list of cancers and kidney disease are other life-threatening consequences.
About 4 million veterans deployed over the last 30 years were exposed to burn pits, according to Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.