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Legislation helps vets exposed to certain toxic substances

Veterans who were exposed to certain toxic substances and suffer from illnesses related to them are eligible for VA care and benefits through the PACT Act.

The passage of the legislation Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act provided two more presumptive conditions — and six new locations — to the list of conditions caused by Agent Orange and 23 for Gulf War and post-9-11 veterans exposed to burn pits.

“The PACT Act has the potential to help veterans from multiple generations,” Warren County Veterans Affairs Director Delores Stec said. “It improves access to care and disability benefits for those exposed to burn pits in recent conflicts and it expands lifesaving care and benefits to American’s warfighters dating all the way back to 1962.”

“This has been a long time coming,” Stec said. “There are more than 3.5 million toxics-exposed veterans.”

Many of the benefits start soon and veterans, and surviving spouses, who may be eligible are encouraged to apply immediately.

The presumptives for Gulf War and post-9-11 veterans who were exposed to burn pits include:

brain cancer;

gastrointestinal cancer of any type;

glioblastoma;

head cancer of any type;

kidney cancer;

lymphatic cancer of any type;

lymphoma of any type;

melanoma;

neck cancer;

pancreatic cancer;

reproductive cancer of any type;

respiratory cancer of any type;

asthma diagnosed after service;

chronic bronchitis;

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

chronic rhinitis;

chronic sinusitis;

constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis;

emphysema;

granulomatous disease;

interstitial lung disease (ILD);

pleuritis;

pulmonary fibrosis; and

sarcoidosis.

The new presumptives for Agent Orange include hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

For Agent-Orange-related hypertension claims, VA is prioritizing veterans who are over 85, terminally ill, or homeless or otherwise in extreme financial hardship, and surviving spouses, Stec said.

“We do all the paperwork,” Stec said. “The VA makes the decisions.”

The Veterans Affairs office is located at Warren County Courthouse. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (814) 728-3477 or (814) 728-3478.

“If you have questions or concerns, call the office,” she said.

“The veterans have to understand they’re going to have to be patient to get in here,” Stec said. “Be patient and we will work with you.”

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