The Department of Veterans Affairs says all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care on March 5, 2024.
This means that all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits, the department said in a release.
“If you’re a veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, at home or abroad, we want you to come to us for the health care you deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for veterans – and once you’re in, you have access for life. So don’t wait, enroll starting March 5th.”
The expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act – meaning that millions of veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law.
Signed into law by President Joe Biden in Aug. 2022, the PACT Act is the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in generations. So far, more than 500,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care since the legislation became law.
“With this expansion, VA can care for all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “We can also care for veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty here at home – by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more.”
The expansion covers Vietnam veterans, Gulf War veterans, Iraq War veterans, Afghanistan War veterans, and those who deployed in support of contingency operations for the Global War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Resolute Support Mission), and more.
Veterans can visit here or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care beginning March 5.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.