Veterans need to review benefits
Following a major expansion of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits within the last year, the Clark County Veterans Service Office is urging veterans to seek a review of the benefits they are receiving to ensure they are getting all that they have earned.
The PACT Act is the biggest legislation for veterans in a long time and it’s time for veterans to get another benefit review because of these new changes.
In 2022, President Biden signed the “Honoring Our PACT Act”, which was intended to help veterans receive benefits related to potential exposures to harmful substances during their service. Healthcare benefits were expanded to millions of veterans from all eras who were exposed to hazardous materials.
According to the Disabled American Veterans: “The Honoring Our PACT Act will reduce bureaucratic obstacles for an estimated 3.5 million veterans who seek VA benefits due to burn pit exposures during the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hostile locations. The law adds nearly two dozen presumptive conditions related to burn pit exposure, meaning veterans who served in overseas locations with active burn pits no longer must prove their exposure or establish direct service connection if diagnosed with ailments listed in the law that are known to cause such conditions.”
For example, if a veteran suffers from hypertension and had exposure to Agent Orange, the PACT Act means that the government assumes the malady was service-related. These additional presumptive conditions may also affect the widow of service members. If a veteran passed away from a condition that is now considered presumptive, the widow might be eligible for benefits.
The new law also gives veterans more time to enroll in the VA’s health care system. In certain circumstances, the timeline to enroll in VA healthcare has extended to ten years after the veteran’s separation from the military.
Before the PACT Act, veterans faced hurdles in demonstrating their exposure to toxins that caused health problems. Reports indicate that the PACT Act has significantly increased the number of veterans enrolling in VA care. The VA says that about 40% of the veterans they have screened report some toxin exposure during their military service.
A veteran can make an appointment for a benefits review by calling our office at 715-743-5160. Veteran Service Officer Aaron Greisen and Benefits Specialist Jill Pollert will ensure that enough time is set aside for the benefits review. The office is located in the Clark County Courthouse, 517 Court Street, Room 304, Neillsville.
During the month of May, CVSO Aaron Greisen is also performing a “Coffee with your CVSO” initiative. If you would like to stop in and informally discuss this new legislation, Greisen will be at the following cafés from 9 – 11 a.m.:
n May 9, Aroma Café, Thorp n May 11, Mapleworks, Granton
n May 15, Kow Kickin Kafe, Greenwood n May 23, Cozy Corner, Owen
n May 26, Café Duchess (Marieke Gouda), Thorp 135468
