VA says it will prioritize cancer claims via PACT Act
The PACT Act added presumptions of service connection for more than 20 new conditions, including many types of cancer related to toxic chemicals and burn pit exposure. The presumptions will help veterans get benefits. They also have simplified the claims process.
As of November 7, the VA says veterans have filed nearly 125,000 PACT Act-related claims, and of those, nearly 14,000 were for cancers covered by the legislation.
“We are working hard to get benefits to all veterans who qualify under the PACT ACT as soon as possible, and veterans living with cancer are at particular risk,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Expediting claims for these vets will ensure that they get the care and benefits they need and so rightly deserve.”
The VA says they are prioritizing claims for veterans with cancer. They also will continue to prioritize processing of claims for veterans with terminal illnesses and those experiencing homelessness.
They will begin processing all PACT Act related claims on January 1, 2023 and they are currently hiring new VA employees at all regional offices and special processing and call centers.
For more information, please contact your local Veteran Service Office.
For Davidson County, call 336-242-2037 or email Pact-Act@DavidsonCountyNC.gov
