VA Toxic Exposure Benefits Content Creation

Veterans face many challenges during their time in the service. As a result, this leads to many of them coming home with disabilities of all kinds, ranging from physical ailments to mental health struggles. A type of disability that isn’t always addressed, however, is the exposure to toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials. If you feel that you have been a victim of harmful exposure, you may be eligible for disability benefits under the PACT Act law. Learn more about VA toxic exposure eligibility, and the screening process.

Unbeknownst to many of the Veterans who served the U.S. military, many of them were exposed to toxic, health endangering chemicals and substances. The effects of these exposures are not usually noticed upon the moment of contact, but rather they start cropping up much later in life. This may be in various forms, such as skin, lung, prostate, and mesothelioma cancers. Exposure can also bring on dementia, most commonly in the cases of Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia. Treatment for these types of illnesses is expensive and on-going, further adding to the already steep medical costs. If you were a victim of toxic exposure during your time in the service, then it is paramount that you look into getting yourself accessed for the VA health benefits through the PACT Act law that you could take advantage of.

The PACT Act, passed in August of 2022, is a law that expands the healthcare benefits for Veterans that were exposed to harmful toxins and chemicals during their time in the service. These PACT Act benefits account for things such as:

Special monthly compensation

Monthly payment for survivors

Indemnity compensation

To be eligible for these benefits, a Veteran must first be given a VA toxic exposure screening. In order to receive this VA toxic exposure rating, you must first be enrolled in VA health care. Anyone who meets basic service and discharge requirements will be eligible for VA health care. You can find out more here.

Some of the PACT Act law presumptive conditions are:

Asthma

Pleuritis

Emphysema

Interstitial lung disease

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

High blood pressure

Nose irritation and Inflammation

Sinus inflammation and infections

Various forms of cancer

You can submit a PACT Act benefits claim any time. However, claims related to VA toxic exposure and the PACT Act take on average 155 days for processing. Additionally, if you would like to see more information on whether or not you have one of these conditions that make you eligible for PACT Act benefits, click here.

The first step in securing a claim is to submit an “intent to file.” This is a form that shows you intend to file for a claim or a supplemental claim for disability, pension benefits, and indemnity compensation benefits. Additionally, you can submit this intent to file form online on the VA’s website or by calling the number 1-800-698-2411.

Below are some of the VA toxic exposure questions you should prepare for. Do you believe you experienced any toxic exposures? These types of qualifying exposures include:

Open burn pits/airborne hazards

Gulf-War related exposures

Agent Orange exposure

Radiation exposure

Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune

You’re probably wondering what kind of mental information you will need to have ready to go when you get yourself screened. You should prepare for the following questions: Do you believe you experienced any toxic exposures while serving in the Armed Forces?

Yes

No

Don’t Know

Open burn pits/airborne hazards

Gulf-War related exposures

Agent Orange exposure

Radiation exposure

Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune

Benefits/Claims Questions

Health/Medical Questions

Registry Questions

VA Health Care Enrollment/Eligibility Questions

This is not an exhaustive list of all the VA toxic exposure screening questions. The point of this screening is to determine if you had exposure to really any kind of chemicals or hazardous material at all during your time in the military. However, if you were exposed to any harmful substances whatsoever, then you will most definitely be eligible to receive PACT Act benefits.

You put in your time and gave up years you will never get back in order to serve this country - you’ve earned your disability benefits. It may seem like a daunting process to get a VA toxic exposure claim filed and to see if you are eligible for PACT Act benefits, but it’s worth it to receive the help you need. With the expansion of VA health care in recent years, now is the perfect time to get yourself assessed and get the compensation that is rightfully owed to you.