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PACT Act Expands Benefits for Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veterans are eligible for expanded VA benefits and claims under the new PACT Act.

Washington DC VA Medical Center observes Vietnam War Veterans Day and shares information about expanded PACT Act benefits for Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.

Nearly 3 million American military members served during the Vietnam War. Far too many lost their lives, and for most who returned home, a proper thank you was never received. On the 50th anniversary of the last American troop leaving Vietnam, President Barrack Obama signed a presidential proclamation designating March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day – a day to reach out to every Vietnam Veteran with a long overdue message of gratitude.

Washington DC VA Medical Center employees are proud to care for Vietnam Veterans and they understand the life-changing health conditions, caused through service, that many Vietnam Veterans live with each day. They’re on a mission to share information about expanded VA benefits under the new PACT Act that may apply to those exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.

VA bases eligibility for Agent Orange-related disability compensation benefits, in part, on whether you served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange, and whether you have a health condition that is caused by Agent Orange exposure. A list of presumptive exposure locations recognized by VA help to streamline the claims process. (Presumptive exposure locations mean that if you served in certain areas during a specified period of time, you will not have to prove that you were exposed to Agent Orange, the VA will assume the exposure occurred.) Under the new PACT Act, five locations have been added to the list of presumptive exposure areas. You have a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange if you meet at least one of these service requirements:

Between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, you served for any length of time in at least one of these locations:

  • In the Republic of Vietnam
  • Aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam
  • On a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia

Or if you served in at least one of these locations added through the PACT Act:

  • Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
  • Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
  • Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
  • Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
  • Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977

Or at least one of these must be true for you:

  • You served in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971
  • You served on active duty in a regular Air Force unit location where a C-123 aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and had repeated contact with this aircraft due to your flight, ground, or medical duties
  • You were involved in transporting, testing, storing, or other uses of Agent Orange during your military service
  • You were assigned as a Reservist to certain flight, ground, or medical crew duties at one of the following eligible reserve locations:
    • Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio, 1969 to 1986 (906th and 907th Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th Tactical Airlift Squadrons)
    • Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, 1972 to 1982 (731st Tactical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, or 901st Organizational Maintenance Squadron)
    • Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania, 1972 to 1982 (758th Airlift Squadron)

VA consider a condition presumptive when it’s established by law or regulation. If you served in one of the above locations and have been diagnosed with one of the following conditions, you don’t need to prove that it started during,—or got worse because of—your military service:

The 2022 PACT Act is the most expansive Veterans benefit bill to pass congress in decades. In addition to expanding VA health care and benefits for Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, it extends coverage for Gulf War era and Post 9/11 Veterans exposed to burn pits, and other toxic substances while serving. If you think you’re eligible for VA health care and benefits under the PACT Act, click here to learn about the application and claims filing process and apply now. To learn more about the event and RSVP, click here. 

To learn about the PACT Act, get screened for toxic exposure and connect with VA representatives in one place, attend the PACT Act Awareness Town Hall on April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Charlotte Hall VA Clinic. This event, hosted by the Washington DC VA Medical Center, provides you with an opportunity to meet one-on-one with VA health care eligibility and enrollment specialists and receive free claims assistance from Veterans Benefits Administration representatives. To learn more about the event or to RSVP, click here.