Summer ’23 Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims and VHA Enrollment Fairs and Town Halls
If you are a Veteran who was exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange or other toxic substances during your service, time is running out to have your benefits backdated by one year if you file a claim under a new law and it is granted.
You have until Aug. 9 to file a claim or submit an intent to file under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act in order to be eligible for backdated benefits. Claims filed under the PACT Act after that date might not be eligible for backdated benefits.
You might be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act if you:
- Were exposed to toxic substances while serving during Vietnam, the Gulf War or post-9/11.
- Served in specific countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
Some Veterans worry that applying for PACT Act benefits will impact their current benefits – but the truth is this: if you file a claim, there is a 97% chance that your benefits will either increase or stay the same. So don’t worry, and don’t wait.
To learn about the PACT Act or to get help filing a claim or applying to enroll in VA health care, please join us and the Pittsburgh Regional Office (Veterans Benefits Administration) for one of our four Summer ’23 Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims and VHA Enrollment Fairs. Each fair will be followed by a Veterans Town Hall.
Dates and Locations:
July 18
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg Campus
Powers Hall
150 Finoli Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
July 27
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
Swimmer Hall-Williams 14
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Aug. 7
*Co-hosted by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio
Beaver County Community College
Learning Resources Center 9103
1 Campus Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
Aug. 8
Washington County Veterans Affairs Office
Crossroads Center
95 West Beau Street
Washington, PA 15301
Schedule of Events for Each Fair and Town Hall:
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims and VHA Enrollment Fair
Veterans and their survivors can meet with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) representatives to:
- Learn about PACT Act benefits, new presumed conditions and clinical resources for military toxic exposures.
- Take a short screening to determine risk for military toxic exposures.
Learn more about these screenings at https://tinyurl.com/26p95fkc. - File claims.
- Enroll in VA health care.
You can also enroll, or check your enrollment status, by calling 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bring your DD214 and information regarding income and expenses (for enrolling in VA health care). To see the types of information requested, download and review VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits.
3 p.m. | Veterans Town Hall
Get important VA updates and hear from VAPHS leadership and representatives from VBA’s Pittsburgh Regional Office and the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Our town halls are part of our ongoing effort to hear from you and use your feedback to improve VA care.
St. Clairsville, Ohio, July 25 Event
Veterans in Ohio can also get help applying to enroll in VA health care or take a short screening to determine risk for military toxic exposures between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on July 25 at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, 51110 National Road East, St. Clairsville, OH 43950. The Jefferson County Veterans Service Office will also be on hand to assist with filing VBA claims.
This event will also be followed by a Veterans Town Hall at 3 p.m.
Learn More
Learn more about the PACT Act and apply for benefits by visiting www.va.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.