ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Federal, state, and local officials visited the Tompkins County VA Clinic.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Ithaca Friday highlighting the implementation of the recently passed Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act of 2022. It helps veterans and service members exposed to toxins by establishing a presumptive service connection to certain illnesses.

“When the PACT Act was signed into law, it created one of the most significant benefits expansions in VA history,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today, I’m visiting the Tompkins County VA Clinic to ensure our vets across Tompkins County have the information and assistance needed to take full advantage of these new health care and disability benefits. I fought tooth and nail to secure these benefits and now my office is here to help make the implementation process of the PACT Act as smooth as possible.”

Gillibrand and others gave patients information about how they can apply for and access the new benefits. It’s estimated that 3.5 million people could be eligible to claim new benefits under the PACT Act.

“Thank you to Senator Gillibrand for keeping the needs of our veterans at the forefront,” said Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services Director, J.R. Clairborne. “Providing this pathway to VA healthcare and other benefits can make a significant difference for many of our veterans who are dealing with ill effects brought back from the battlefields. Saying ‘thank you’ for such a landmark achievement feels like an understatement, but the thanks for our veterans community is heartfelt.”

Gillibrand first introduced her bill, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act back in September 2020. That bill formed the cornerstone of the presumptive care section of the final package of the PACT Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in August of 2022.

APPLYING FOR BENEFITS FAQ

1. How can I submit a claim? – Eligible veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances can submit a claim at VA.gov/PACT

2. What if I was previously denied? – The PACT Act expanded eligibility for VA health care and benefits, so even if you were previously denied coverage, you may now be eligible. Submit a supplemental claim to get the health care and benefits you deserve at VA.gov/PACT

3. Who is covered under the new law? 

  • Veterans who served in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the UAE on or after August 2, 1990
  • Veterans who served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Uzbekistan on or after September 11, 2001

4. What illnesses are covered? – A wide range of cancers and respiratory illnesses are covered including – asthma diagnosed after service, head cancer of any type, neck cancer of any type, respiratory cancer of any type, gastrointestinal cancer of any type, reproductive cancer of any type, lymphoma cancer of any type,  kidney cancer, brain cancer, melanoma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, emphysema, granulomatous disease, interstitial lung disease, pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pancreatic cancer, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and glioblastoma

5. What benefits can I expect to be covered? – Like Vietnam vets who fell ill due to Agent Orange exposure, under this law, anyone deployed to one of the 16 identified countries during the Gulf War and Global War on Terror (listed above) who falls ill with one of the listed conditions will be able to go to the VA and get a disability rating. Depending on the rating, the veteran may be eligible for disability compensation. They are also entitled to free VA health care for their illness.

6. What if I have additional questions?