US Veterans PACT Act Coverage

US Veterans PACT Act Coverage

Covered service for Vietnam era veterans means active service in:

1. The Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.
2. Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai Base from Jan. 9, 1962, to June 30, 1976.
3. Laos from Dec. 14, 1965, to Sept. 30, 1969,
4. Cambodia at Mimot, Krek, or the Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1962, to April 30, 1969.
5. Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from April 1, 1968, to Aug. 31, 1971.
6. Guam, American Samoa or territorial waters thereof from Jan. 9, 1962, to July 31, 1980.
7. Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from Jan. 1, 1972, to Sept. 30, 1977.
8. Air Force or Air Force Reserve veterans who regularly and repeatedly operated, maintained, or served aboard a C-123 aircraft know to have been used for spraying herbicides.

Qualifying service for Gulf War era veterans means you either:

1. Performed active military service in any of the following countries during or after the Gulf War (Aug. 2, 1990): Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates. Or;
2. Performed active military service in any of the following countries after the start of the Global War on Terrorism (Sept. 11, 2001): Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan or Yemen.

Nuclear and Radiation-Exposed Veterans

The PACT Act expanded veterans who are eligible for presumptive service connection for diseases which manifested as a result of radiation exposure by adding onsite participation in the following radiation-risk activities:

1. Enewetak Atoll cleanup from Jan. 1, 1977, thru Dec. 31, 1980.
2. Palomares, Spain, response effort from Jan. 17, 1966, thru March 31, 1967.
3. Thule, Greenland, response effort from Jan. 21, 1968,  thru Sept. 25, 1968.

Here is a comprehensive list of Veterans VA has recognized as performing radiation-risk activities.

View the full list of cancers and disease that VA has acknowledged may be induced by radiation.

How to apply for VA Health Care & Its Expansion

In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service—at home or abroad—are now eligible for VA health care.

At the direction of President Biden, VA is expanding health care eligibility to millions of Veterans, including all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other combat zone after 9/11, years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. These Veterans will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.

Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.

Veterans can apply for VA health care:

• Online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
• By calling our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• By mailing their completed Application for Heath Care Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) to:

Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Rd., Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329

• In person by visiting their nearest VA medical center or clinic.

Capt. Jim Marshall USAF retd.   captjim@ancan.org