PACT Act

The Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is a comprehensive look at supporting Veterans from Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan . BLUF: the PACT Act may well apply to you, now that it has been signed into law and we recommend reading up on it in the links below.

http://www.va.gov/PACT

A comprehensive page the VA has put together to address the PACT Act, and what it means to Veterans and their survivors as well as filing.

H. Rept. 117-249 - HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS ACT OF 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

What is the PACT Act? 

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.

What if you submitted a claim for service connection and a disability award and it was previously denied? Resubmit. ASAP. How do you do that? It’s called a Supplemental Claim and you can locate it at this link: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-0995-ARE.pdf 

Info on Supplemental Claims and submission instructions are found on the 20-0995 form and again, at www.va.gov/PACT. 

Registration with the VA

I didn't realize until reviewing that the VA covered things that TRICARE for Life and Medicare A & B didn't cover such as hearing aids. 

How To Apply For VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs

About VA Health Benefits | Veterans Affairs

River Rats Medical Page (available to non-members)

MEDICAL - Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Association (river-rats.org)

AMIC Initiatives

The Wild Weasel Society is a member in good standing (through Quack Bear) of the River Rats Medical Issues (AMIC) board and we have supported their efforts in conducting a RRVA-wide Pilot Cancer Survey in Fall 2019.

Constitutional Link to the cancer study bill in Congress - H.R.7524 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): ACES Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Article on the Cancer Bill - Aviator Cancer Bill Would Push VA to Study Toxins Air Crews Faced, Assess Links to Cancers - Defense One

In 2022, the AMIC will report the results of its CY2021 High-G RSI Survey, debut its 5-year Cancers Campaign, continue to lead the public discussion of aviator cancers, advocate for RRVA aviator cancer proposals to federal lawmakers, and roll out the AMIC’s expanded online web presence at the RRVA homepage. 

Other Links

TRICARE For Life | TRICARE

Home | TRICARE

Medicare Part B Premiums for TRICARE For Life | TRICARE

Let us know through the Wild Weasel Board or through Budmanrocketsnow@gmail.com if you have edits or want another article