Veterans Exposed to Toxins Now Eligible for Direct Healthcare

(KNSI) — Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during service are now eligible to enroll directly in VA care.

The injuries could have come from service at home or overseas, so it is for vets who served in the Gulf War, Vietnam War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror or in any other combat zone post-9/11. This expansion also covers those who never deployed as a part of a conflict but were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving in the U.S., while training, or on active duty.

St. Cloud VA Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable explains the red tape has been cut, so veterans “don’t have to file a claim or prove anything other than they served. There’s no need to apply for disability compensation benefits. This is an extension of health care benefits to these veterans.

Specifically, any veteran who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) – at home or abroad – is eligible for VA health care. Veterans who were exposed to air pollutants such as burn pits, sand, dust, oil well or sulfur fires; chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded shrapnel, or contaminated water; or asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints, and paint with chemical agent resistant coating or firefighting foams can apply. It also covers radiation from things like handling nuclear weapons, maintenance and detonation or radioactive materials, calibration and measurement sources, and x-rays. Vets exposed to nerve agents and chemical and biological weapons can also enroll.

The PACT Act, passed by Congress last year, officially goes into effect this week, opening the door for more veterans to get care. The law was designed to improve the healthcare and services the VA provides to veterans who have been exposed to the toxins.

Venable says he doesn’t have estimates for how many will be affected, but around the country, he says hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of vets are now eligible for care. He adds that it’s “an opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health care for the veteran, and we’re pretty proud of what we provide to our veterans, and they deserve the services we provide.”

To enroll for care directly at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, call 320-255-6340, visit your county Veteran service office, or apply online by clicking here.

VA encourages all veterans to click here to find information and resources on benefits surrounding the PACT Act.

They can also call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more.

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