More than 500,000 claims for toxic-exposure benefits have been filed by veterans and their survivors since the PACT Act became law on Aug. 10, 2022.
That’s according to information released by the Department of Veterans Affairs on Wednesday.
“We’re proud that 500,000+ veterans and survivors have applied for their hard-earned benefits to date, but we won’t rest until every veteran and every survivor gets the VA health care and benefits they deserve,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement.
The sweeping legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden, expands VA health care and benefits for veterans of all eras exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances as a result of their military service.
In a statement, Biden noted that VA claims are being processed at record rates, “but that work hangs in the balance with Republican Members of Congress’ proposals to drastically cut VA programs, resulting in significant increases in backlogs and tens of millions fewer health care visits – harming those the PACT Act most aims to help.”
Biden’s budget proposal includes a request for a more than 5 percent increase in funding for VA in the upcoming fiscal year. The total FY 2024 budget request for VA is $325.1 billion, a $16.6 billion increase over the FY 2023 enacted level.
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A Republican proposal to cut spending by 22% does not target VA but would curtail the amount of money the government could spend.
“While the president’s budget details a plan to honor our country’s sacred obligation to care for America’s veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors, the proposal to cut a broad range of critical programs by 22% would threaten critical services for veterans – both at VA and across the federal government,” VA said in a statement released on April 21.
VA thus far has awarded more than $1 billion in earned benefits to veterans and survivors who filed PACT Act-related claims, according to its release.
More than 3 million veterans have received VA’s new toxic exposure screening since the PACT Act became law, with approximately 42% reporting a concern of exposure. More than 215,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care during that timeframe, a 15% increase from the same timeframe the year before.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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