VA Will Expand Health Care Eligibility To Any Veteran Exposed To Toxins While Serving In The Military
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that beginning on March 5th, thanks to the bipartisan PACT Act she helped pass, all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without having to apply for benefits first. This means that veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or in any combat zone after 9/11 – in addition to those who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards during their service – will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This announcement expands automatic VA health care eligibility for these veterans up to eight years earlier than required by the law.
“One of my proudest accomplishments was to work across the aisle to help pass the legislation to make sure every Nevada veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, radiation, and other harmful chemicals can finally access the health care they deserve,” said Senator Rosen. “Now, thanks to an expansion of eligibility under this bipartisan law, all exposed veterans are automatically eligible to receive VA health care – even if they weren’t deployed and without first having to apply for VA benefits. I’m glad that the VA has taken this step to expand PACT Act health care access to all toxic-exposed veterans, and I encourage Nevada veterans who qualify to enroll starting on March 5.”
Senator Rosen has been leading efforts to support our nation’s veterans. Last year, she introduced the bipartisan VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act to take steps to improve access to mental health services for our veterans. She also secured authorization for a new VA hospital in Reno and pushed for Nevada’s first-ever dedicated in-state Veteran Business Outreach Center.
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