The Salem VA Healthcare System will host a PACT Act Day Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salem VA Medical Center. The event will take place in the lobby of Bldg. 143 and registration is not required.
Representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration as well as Salem VA medical staff will assist with disability compensation claims and benefits counseling, and provide Toxic Exposure Questionnaire Screenings, and answer questions.
There is no registration or sign up for the PACT Act Day – a team will be on hand to work with Veterans on a walk-in basis.
The PACT Act extends toxic-exposed Veterans access to VA Care, extends health care eligibility for Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post 9-11 era combat Veterans, and adds new presumptive conditions for Radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War Toxins and Burn Pit Exposures.
Veterans are encouraged to complete a screening prior to Aug. 9. There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, however most Veterans and survivors who apply for benefits or submit an “intent to file” no later than Aug. 9, will have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022 – the day President Biden signed PACT Act into law.
Claims filed after Aug. 9 will not be backdated.
-The Salem Times-Register