The PACT ACT Explained: Toxic Exposure Veterans' Benefits

[@CCK_Law]

Be sure to check the description, where we offer much more information about the topics today.

[@charlesabbott4518]

PANAMA is in CENTRAL AMERICA. Were you sleeping when they were talking about Central America??

[@walterdewalt3456]

Vet we can vote all who voted against passage of the bill..It's time for all Americans too get the vote.. Each Senator is making. Close too $200000 dollars a year why keep on letting these Radicals Republicans get away with doing nothing for vets...we help defend this count t .

[@walterdewalt3456]

I'm a Vietnam vet station in the Philippines Clark Air Force Base exposure was contaminated water...which was hidden I'm been diagnosed with leukemia...I've a law firm out of GA filing my appeals....

[@TripleBRanch]

Maybe rather than hiring 87 THOUSAND MORE IRS agents to take away MORE of OUR money, they could use those funds to hire 87k more VA claims processors so Veterans don’t have to wait even longer for benefits that are LONG OVERDUE! Oct 2025?! Really?!

[@patrickeakin5319]

I am not a part of Chisholm and Chisholm and Kilpatrick I have a veteran service officer and I am wondering about the Veterans of Fort McClellan and what is going on really with them. I am now starting my 4th year on my VA claim for agent orange exposure at Fort McClellan for my type 2 diabetes.

[@sgtjarrodrayner]

I don’t understand why it’s just burn pits. The baby powder dirt in Ramadi was so fine it covered ev-ery-thing! I burned shiters in Iraq, but that moon dust we were sucking in all day had to be horrible for us too. I think I’m going to go get a glass of water now.

[@midnightsghost67]

And yet an extensive exposure to many differing chemical and radioactive isotopes by Veterans while serving at Ft McClellan, Alabama. Hundreds of Thousands of Military Personnel exposed by the Chemical Corps in their experimentation in training grounds of the Chemical, Military Police Corps as well as the Women's Auxiliary Corps (WAC). My son's all have digestive problems being born after my service at Ft McClellan.

[@rg-dz4pl]

So True about FT Mac-AL was awash in all agents...

[@larrypollard7011]

What about agent orange for people that served from 1977 thru 1985

[@vitodiamico910]

What's unfortunate is this bill or ruling is discriminatory towards service members who although never served in the proposed regions, many vets were exposed to burn pits while in field exercises while in conus. In the 80s these burn pits run amok without guidance.

[@andycharles6921]

I am with you 100% on this issue.Burn pits have been SOP whenever there was waste to be disposed of.A burn pit is a burn pit,regardless of what country it is in.Vietnam smoke is the same smoke as Iraq smoke! The cutoff seems arbitrary as to country of exposure.This needs to be changed!

[@vitodiamico910]

@@andycharles6921 I'm with you 100, also. In fact, I may initiate a letter in regards to exactly what we're talking about now. A few years back I sent certified letters to every sitting member of the House and Senate Veterans committees or panels.......not one response!! It was a letter of support for all veterans and thanked them for their steadfast and unwavering commitment to all veterans. Crickets!

[@ckilr01]

The pact act that passed covered burn pits and is presumptive. The one that did not pass was not presumptive and pushed by Joe Biden and a few democrats who blamed Republicans for pushing the better one. There were several pact acts put forward.

[@ASTIFFBUZZ]

You like your whine dry or sweet?

[@jeffhansen3933]

Effective dates…the senate amendment clearly states the the Secretary SHALL not deny a claim filed before the effective date. It also clearly states that previously denied claims that would have been adjudicated differently had this bill been law at the time be reevaluated…hence retroactive pay. Those are big misses from this video.

[@jeffhansen3933]

Also states the VA is to notify all veterans with with a previously denied claim.

[@artofficial2010]

Does this include the evil ANTHRAX SHOTS ?

[@davedave7780]

Does this affect vets already exposed and approved by the VA for benefits? My father was exposed to agent orange in veit.

[@shimaze5479]

If you father has all ready been approved for benefits, an increase in compensation would depend on the worsening of his symptoms. The PACT Act makes it easier to file claims and includes more veterans. Your father has already been approved and therefore been included. So the PACT Act does not apply to him

[@billbarrett6196]

I have COPD (never used tobacco of any kind) and served aboard an aircraft carrier during the Desert Storm and Desert Sheild. Would my condition be covered?

[@sgtjarrodrayner]

Try

[@billbarrett6196]

Right. I did. Got denied. Then the Pact Act was passed. Throwing it back at them again.

[@georgeward4672]

very good thank you

[@MrBluespyz]

I see the PACT ACT excludes the previously included waterways of the Gulf War? I.E. Persian Gulf, Red Sea, & Arabian Sea. Strange that they would do that, based on the fact that these waterways are apart of the SW Asia Theatre of operations during Desert Storm....?? Am I correct in seeing they have basically "divested" the Naval Sea service from this act?

[@jlaextreme]

What exactly is an "effective date"? Is that from benefits will be paid? What if I had an esophageal cancer 3 years ago and have severe lasting results like GERD & IBS?

[@bunbowsky4833]

So if symptoms appear after 10 years of exposure to burn pits I will be eligible for care with this new bill?

[@Aharon_144k]

Will the Veteran Affairs acknowledge a claim previously denied that was a clear and obvious symptom of later diagnosed service connected disability? Backstory: I filed a claim for trouble with sleep within a year of my discharge which was denied. A year later my condition got worse and I realized I had asthma. Nearly ten years later when I applied for service connection again it was accepted. I filed a supplemental claim to have my effective date retroactive to my original claim.

[@shimaze5479]

The reason you got denied is there is no VA compensable disability for "trouble with sleep". If in your supplemental claim you were more specific and actually claimed a disability such as sleep apnea or insomnia, it would have been a secondary condition to your primary condition of asthma that was not available a year earlier when you made your initial foolhardy claim of trouble with sleep. The VA should not be responsible for your irresponsibility of waiting 10 years to specify what illness caused your trouble with sleep

[@aaronbarton227]

Primary MOS 14S: Avenger Crewmember/Air Defense SHORAD Secondary MOS 42A: Human Resource Specialist US ARMY: March 2007 to August 2011 CA National Guard: August 2011 to August 2013

[@shimaze5479]

Proud of you for impressive military career, but what the help does this have to do with the PACT Act?

[@ASTIFFBUZZ]

Does it protect against nerds reading directly off of PowerPoint slides? EAFD

[@marvinspevack8238]

Thailand vet exposure 1962 through June 30, 1967? Could that possibly be correct?

[@jbwuu]

i was rated for asthma so should i file for the pact act? will that raise my percentage or?? just confused

[@evilload]

@NewEraKidz1 No, the rating percentage did not change with the PACT Act. Just eligibility.

[@lcjponds3598]

Can this unhealthy exposure be passed to our kids?

[@mariamaria2751]

Why wouldn't it ?, that's science ,I'd think you'd , your children would be lucky if it didn't .

[@lcjponds3598]

@@mariamaria2751 I hope not, but our Armed Forces and Government are quiet about things. It hurts that our country does not care or play games. So many veterans are suffering. We want respect and what we deserve as a vet. That is IT!

[@963ag]

It depends on the contaminants/ chemicals involved. Regarding Camp Lejeune absolutely - the toxins were benzene, TCE, and PCE. The same is true for Agent Orange.

[@KozinaDavor]

Are Military contractors who worked in Iraq, Afganistan able to benefit from PACT ACT package?

[@charlesabbott4518]

What about AGENT ORANGE in Panama???

[@davel5018]

No Agent Orange was ever in South America

[@charlesabbott4518]

@@davel5018 Then you are BLIND ! We were there . Be smart and look it up, talk with some veterans that were in Panama.

[@richarddelgado796]

Seeing as the VA has nothing on Agent Orange being used in Panama, that is why no claim claiming that is approved. There needs to be proof of exposure while in Panama. A multitude of statements that can substantiate the claim can cause pressure for the matter to be investigated further. However, if there are no DoD records of any sort that the chemicals were used there, it makes it difficult to prove.

[@lgxtransport]

@@davel5018 that’s what they made you believe They dropped that in Nicaragua and Salvadoran jungles!

[@williamsessoms8707]

Pg 54 item 18 states serving in Thailand from Jan 8, 1962 thru June 30, 1976 not 1967. I know as my unit was last to leave Thailsnd, tje good

[@nataliegist2014]

What about diesel exposure

[@chubbyzombie666]

I'm gonna show up at the VA and be as honest to them as they are to us, I'll tell them I'm homeless and a drunk and start living in the hallways of the Hospital. Hahahahaaaaa. Ok I'm being mean, thanks for the info guys.

[@chubbyzombie666]

Sounds like a giant nothing burger to me. I want my health back. I'm so Happy they expand our "mental health" for anger issues they create. The VA gaslights all of us, and Amerika falls for their games.

[@chicago44tj]

Since these ailments has/have been Proved, why not eliminate/delete the word Presumptive from filing claims altogether? Not by the veterans per say, but by the V.A. altogether. The veterans will still suffer a defeatist mindset but experience Stress and PTSD in the claims process. Trying to gain the courage to file a claim is like trying to meet someone that you like. I have grown Weary trying to file a claim then get REJECTED.

[@shimaze5479]

Sounds like you need to file disability claim for fear of rejection 😮

[@chicago44tj]

@@shimaze5479 refile again last month with help from the VSO of Waco Texas, and I have a pessimistic view of the results due to past denial of the Gulf War syndrome claim.

[@KE-vm1tp]

What about sailors who served on aircraft carriers during the war in the gulf and surrounding waters..especially flight deck personnel..

[@championsuccesser]

What if you already have 100 percent, but you have more one form or location of exposure ? How does that effect my compensation?

[@andrewtoombs3867]

Try the 300% Deet used in 2004 Balad Iraq, Prior and afterwards. Do a Roster investigation into the KBR materials.

[@joehackney1376]

The real question is- -will the VA be able to change the way they handle claims like an insurance company that has the motto "DENY, DENY, DENY!!!"

[@richarddelgado796]

The largest thing in trying to get your claim approved is to have these issues documented in you Service Treatment Records (STR), have a current diagnosis showing chronicity, and a medical opinion (nexus) tying the current diagnosis to what's in your STR. Meeting these three items will easily get you to service connection, which is the key.

[@shimaze5479]

Claims are denied when the veteran files for compensation for a disability for something they have NOT been diagnosed with. The VA also denies claims when the diagnosed disability is NOT service connected. And last, the VA always denies claims when the veteran calls Jake with State Farm and asks for the"special deal". Your 3X deny suggests you tried all 3 😂

[@rodvikvr]

Is there a window or statue of limitations on diagnosis of these presumptive conditions such as sinusitis?

[@evilload]

@rodvikvr there was a 10 year limitation but the PACT Act throws that out

[@ricobaby555]

Sooo if your 100% pnt can you file a new claim for pact act or not? Anyone

[@loviemartin9424]

Yes

[@thehebrewmessiahcom8164]

I was a firefighter and exposed to AFFF almost daily for almost 4 years. Since my service I've had medical, namely immune system, skin burning sensation, and non-melanoma skin cancer near exposed areas, areas where my skin came in contact /wetted by AFFF. Does the VA consider AFFF /POFs a toxic exposure event? VA doctors have run tests to no avail, they don't why I have these conditions. Thank you.

[@davel5018]

Not yet we don't. I am hoping it comes out soon. I have been hearing rumors for the last two years.

[@Bababui69]

Same thing for PD-680 exposure. They know this is a problem.

[@aaronbarton227]

Were you a firefighter in the military?

[@warnerhenderson2439]

I am following was aircraft firefighter 73-79 at cherry pt

[@963ag]

Parris Island is a Superfund site - meaning it was marked by the EPA as an area with contamination/ toxins. Clean up began in 1994 - but what years was the contamination? What were the chemicals involved?

[@johnd4408]

I was there at Parris Island twice before 1994. Both boot camp and worked as a MP there.

[@charlesrabycr]

Already had c&p exam for sinusitis under presumptive. Within the 1st 5 minutes the general practitioner said we live in ohio. Inherently we have upper respiratory problems. I lost my claim do the fact I never had a diagnosis of sinusitis but it was mention multiple times in my medical records. As well as less than likely by examiner.

[@nataliegist2014]

Keep trying

[@shimaze5479]

Filing a claim for something you have not diagnosed with is foolish on your part. The VA should NOT schedule C&P exams for disabilities not diagnosed in the veteran's medical record

[@GAvet4lyfe]

Was migraine headaches added as a condition...one of my job duties as a contractor for KBR was burn pit operations...i experience breathing issues occassionally...i have alot of medication to include shpts monthly

[@271W4]

You just said that you were a contractor, exposures as a contractor wouldn’t count

[@GAvet4lyfe]

@@271W4 nah we have to file a DBA lawsuit and get a lump sum if you can get a diagnosis

[@johnd4408]

None of this matters. The VA does not extend health care for service connected disabilities unless you are "100% disabled" which is 100% unobtainable. I am limited to only a 70% rating and any other claims at 0%. Also I was in Desert Storm and this Pact Act does not cover Desert Storm veterans that was gas attacked and suffers from chemical weapon burn pits. I saw both! Both attacked by gas agents ( several times) and was downwind of chemical weapon burn pits. But like everyone says," Desert Storm Was A Vacation And Don't Rate".

[@robertscarborough5376]

Its really mess up that Fort McClellan is not included so we just don't Matter really ugly..!!

[@963ag]

Does anyone know about Agent Orange at Cherry Point Airbase, NC? Is this true? What years?

[@joefranklin7729]

Please review the dates for Thailand. You said 1967 instead of 1976.

[@teeybannister]

When will they start electronic mailing ???now that it’s passed

[@melanie7781]

Well now I understand why the senate kicked it back after the house got a hold of it.

[@leslienelson7016]

What about burn pits at El Toro MCAS?

[@williamsessoms8707]

Old 7th R.R.F.S

[@gailcarey3597]

The Senate said there was 400 billion in unrelated spending attached to the bill. Does anyone know what the spending was for?

[@royvalenzuela1662]

It’s basically money that the gov can use to meet other agendas. I think this is why it was denied! Remove that and it gets approved

[@reginastewart1802]

What bill does Palomares, Spain fall under? Risky radiation task clean up toxic