The Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct a scientific review to determine whether there is a relationship between acute leukemias, chronic leukemias and multiple myeloma outside of the head and neck — and toxic exposures for service members who deployed to the Middle East and other locations.
The scientific review will help VA determine whether the conditions become presumptive conditions for veterans to receive benefits. When a condition is considered presumptive, eligible veterans do not need to prove that their service caused their disease to receive benefits for it; instead, VA automatically assumes a service connection for the disease and provides benefits.
When it was signed into law in Aug. 2022, the PACT Act listed 23 conditions that were presumed to be linked to toxins and burn pits for service members who were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan and the entire Southwest Asia theater of operations. Cancers of the head and neck are already considered presumptive under the PACT Act, so the new research will focus solely on acute leukemias, chronic leukemias, and multiple myeloma originating outside of the head and neck.
“We won’t rest until we understand whether there’s a connection between these deadly conditions and the service of our nation’s heroes,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough in a statement.
A combination of VA doctors and scientists and outside doctors and scientists will conduct the review, which is expected to take at least a year to complete.
VA encourages veterans who have been diagnosed with the conditions to file a claim and not wait for the study’s conclusion.
"Veterans shouldn't wait for this review process to conclude to apply for the support they deserve," said McDonough. "If you are a veteran living with acute leukemia, chronic leukemia or multiple myeloma, don't wait -- apply for your VA care and benefits today."
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The conditions were chosen for scientific review based on existing scientific data and close consultations with veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, Congress, and other key stakeholders. While these are the first conditions to be announced for scientific review since the PACT Act passed into law, VA will is expected to review other conditions.
VA has delivered more than $1.6 billion in PACT Act-related benefits to veterans and their survivors since it became law. More than 700,000 veterans have applied for PACT Act-related benefits and more than 4 million have received the new toxic exposure screening.
VA is soliciting public comment about the decision via the Federal Register. The public will have a 30-day period to provide comments. View the notice and submit comments here.
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VA has been urging veterans and survivors to file PACT Act-related claims prior to Aug. 9 so their benefits can be backdated to Aug. 2022. Veterans can also opt to submit "intent to file" paperwork before Aug. 9 to establish a claim date. If the claim is substantiated within a year, they will receive backdated benefits.
For more information about the PACT Act and a full list of presumptive conditions covered under the law, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.