The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently announced that all veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during their service are now eligible for VA health care. This expansion includes veterans who served in combat zones such as Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other area after 9/11, and those who were exposed to chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays and more while serving at home or abroad.
This update is a result of the elimination of an eligibility phase-in called for by the PACT Act. Jennifer DeFrancesco, director at the Dayton VA Medical Center, encourages all veterans to learn about their eligibility and urges them to get their toxic exposure screening if they have a DD214 and make sure it is documented. Eligible veterans may be entitled to benefits that include health care and potentially more.
As a result of this expansion of health care services up to eight years earlier than originally proposed under the law, millions of veterans are now eligible for VA health care. Since the March 5 kick-off date at the Dayton VA Medical Center alone, over 150 new veterans have enrolled for healthcare. Eligible veterans can sign up online or by phone or mail or in person at any VA medical center across the country.
