PACT Act

Even before the Trump administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs was falling far short of its hiring goals. Issues can be traced to the effects of the 2022 PACT Act and 2018 Mission Act.

The comedian wants to close a loophole in the PACT Act that leaves out some first-responding troops deployed to a former Soviet base near Afghanistan that was contaminated with high levels of uranium.

About 888,000 veterans and survivors in all 50 states received disability benefits under the 2022 law, which helps them get key benefits as a result of burn pit or other toxic exposure during their service.

Veterans like Steven Price were left out of a law that made it easier to get care and benefits from the VA. He says his leukemia diagnosis can be traced toxin exposure while deployed in Panama.

The VA is making more veterans with toxic exposure eligible for health care now instead of phasing in coverage. About 200 veterans signed up at a recent Orlando event.

A long-term study hopes to shed light on an array of vague symptoms that can affect veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The president praised leaders from both parties for unifying behind veterans as he and Utah's Republican governor paid tribute to a year-old law that is delivering the largest expansion of veterans benefits in decades.

Veterans and their survivors now have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to apply for those benefits backdated to include the past year since President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said his agency is doing better than expected based on internal projections and is using new technology to process claims faster.

While new claims can be filed afterward, those who make the cutoff could receive additional benefits or compensation backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, when the act was signed.