New law gives VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxins, Peters and Kildee say

FLINT, MI – Michigan Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee today held a news conference at the Flint Public Library to raise awareness about the PACT Act, an expansion of VA health care benefits.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.

Signed by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10, it is one of the most significant expansions of VA health care in the past 30 years.

It brings multiple expansions to VA health care and benefits, including expanding eligibility, adding presumptive conditions, adding toxic exposure screenings and an improved research and staff education to toxic exposures, according to the VA website.

“This legislation is going to impact lives in a very positive way. Over 3.5 million veterans in the United States (qualify). It’s a significant step forward to dealing with this issue,” Peters said.

This law will also expedite the VA claims process by automatically presuming conditions are caused by service rather than giving veterans the burden of proving that.

“With a claim, the assumption will be the presumption will be that it’s a valid claim rather than what often feels like to military members,” Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said.

Flint resident and veteran Shekinah Wagner is planning to file a claim under the PACT Act after serving in Afghanistan.

Wagner faced shortness of breath and an abnormal amount of pneumonia after her time in the military.

Now, under the PACT Act, she is eligible for benefits and receive the medical care she needs.

“I’m sure that I have fellow service members who share similar breathing ailments, most likely related to the poor air quality in our camp and other toxins, and I encourage them to file a claim under the PACT Act,” Wagner said.

Kevin Hensley, a veteran who served eight terms in the Middle East, now has a terminal respiratory illness.

He hopes that the expedited process to approve benefits can alleviate pressure on veterans around the country.

Veterans can check their eligibility for the benefits at this website.

They can also file claims to apply for PACT Act-related benefits by calling the Veterans Administration (VA) at 800-698-2411 or filing a claim online for disability benefits and/or VA health care.

Claims will begin being processed in January, Peters said.