PACT ACT of 2022: Addressing Comprehensive Toxics Exposure for Veterans
The PACT ACT of 2022, spearheaded by Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, aims to address comprehensive toxics exposure issues for veterans. The bill includes provisions such as expanded healthcare, improved VA services, recognition of burn pit exposure, enhancement of compensation for Persian Gulf War veterans, and more. It outlines studies on toxic exposure research, mental health impacts, and resourcing for veterans. Additionally, there are initiatives to correct exposure records and offer transparency on burn pit issues. Overall, the bill prioritizes the well-being of veterans by addressing various toxic exposure concerns.
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PACT ACT of 2022 Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act
Bottom Line up Front (BLUF) There is a lot of stuff in this bill https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th- congress/house-bill/3967/text
Some of the Highlights Sec 103/111 Expand Healthcare Sec 202 Improve VA ability to establish presumptive conditions Sec 203 Outreach to veterans identified as filed claims that might be decided differently based on a new presumptive & invite a supplemental claim. Sec 204 Reevaluation of claims for DIC Sec 301 Veterans Burn Pit Recognition Sec 302 Presumptions of toxic exposure Sec 303 Medical nexus examinations for toxic exposure risk activities
Some of the Highlights Sec 401 Eniwetok Atoll clean up as a radiation exposure site Sec 402 Nuclear response Palomares Spain & Thule Greenland as radiation exposure site. Sec 403 New Agent Orange exposure sites. Sec 404 New presumptive diseases for Agent Orange. Sec 405 Improving compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War Veterans. Sec 406 Presumption of Service Connection for certain diseases associated with Burn Pits and other toxins.
Some of the Highlights Sec 501 to 504 Interagency workgroup on toxic exposure research. Sec 505/506 Study on effects of Manhattan project waste. Sec 507 Study on toxic exposure and mental health. Sec 508 Study on veterans in territories of the United States. Sec 509 VA public website for toxic exposure research. Sec 510 Report on effects of Jet Fuels used by Armed Forces. Sec 602 Publication of list of resources on VA toxic exposure. Sec 603 Toxic exposure screening for Veterans Sec 604 Training VA personnel with respect to toxic exposure.
Some of the Highlights Title VII Resourcing. Sec 801 Epidemiological study on Ft McClellan Veterans. Sec 803 Correction of exposure records. Sec 804 Federal Cause of Action relating to water at Camp Lejeune. Sec 807 Authorization of electronic notice in claims. Sec 808 Burn Pit Transparency. Title IX Improvement of Workforce of VA.
A Little More Information Grouped by Stuff we don t need to know Stuff we should know Claims stuff we need today Random Stuff
Stuff we dont really need to know Sec 501 to 504 Interagency workgroup on toxic exposure research. Sec 604 Training VA personnel with respect to toxic exposure. Title VII Resourcing. Title IX Improvement of Workforce of VA.
We should know Sec 103/111 Expand Healthcare Sec 202 Improve VA ability to establish presumptive conditions Sec 203 Outreach to veterans identified as filed claims that might be decided differently based on a new presumptive & invite a supplemental claim. Sec 204 Reevaluation of claims for DIC
We should know Sec 509 VA public website for toxic exposure research. Sec 510 Report on effects of Jet Fuels used by Armed Forces. Sec 602 Publication of list of resources on VA toxic exposure. Sec 603 Toxic exposure screening for Veterans Sec 801 Epidemiological study on Ft McClellan Veterans. Sec 807 Authorization of electronic notice in claims.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Sec 301 Veterans Burn Pit Recognition Sec 302 Presumptions of toxic exposure Covered Veterans On or after August 2, 1990- Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or United Arab Emirates On or after September 11, 2001- Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan or any other country determined by the Secretary. Requires set up of a Exposure tracking system Sec 303 Medical nexus examinations for toxic exposure risk activities. Sets requirements for the VBA to schedule a Nexus C&P exam.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Sec 303 Medical nexus examinations for toxic exposure risk activities. Sets requirements for the VBA to schedule a Nexus C&P exam. with evidence of a disability and evidence of participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during active military, naval, air, or space service, and such evidence is not sufficient to establish a service connection for the disability, the Secretary shall (A) provide the veteran with a medical examination under section 5103A(d) of this title; and (B) obtain a medical opinion (to be requested by the Secretary in connection with the medical examination under subparagraph (A)) as to whether it is at least as likely as not that there is a nexus between the disability and the toxic exposure risk activity. (2) When providing the Secretary with a medical 4 opinion under paragraph (1)(B) for a veteran, the healthcare provider shall consider (A) the total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments of the veteran; and (B) the synergistic, combined effect of all toxic exposure risk activities of the veteran.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Sec 405 Improving compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War Veterans. (Gulf War Illness/Undiagnosed Illness/Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness) Reduction in threshold of eligibility Changes to becomes manifest to any degree at any time. USCS 1117 Establishes a Singular Disability Based Questionnaire (DBQ) Expands Persian Gulf veteran to include Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria or Jordan.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Sec 406 Presumption of Service Connection for certain diseases associated with Burn Pits and other toxins. Covered Veteran On or after August 2, 1990- Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or United Arab Emirates On or after September 11, 2001- Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan or any other country determined by the Secretary.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Presumptive of Service connection: Granulomatous disease. Interstitial lung disease. Pleuritis. Pulmonary fibrosis. Sarcoidosis. Chronic sinusitis. Chronic rhinitis. Glioblastoma. Any other disease for which the Secretary The following types of cancer: 1. Head cancer of any type. 2. Neck cancer of any type. 3. Respiratory cancer of any type. 4. Gastrointestinal cancer of any type. 5. Reproductive cancer of any type. 6. Lymphoma cancer of any type. 7. Lymphomatic cancer of any type. 8. Kidney cancer. 9. Brain cancer. 10. Melanoma. 11. Pancreatic cancer. Asthma that was diagnosed after service of the covered veteran Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis. Emphysema.
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Presumptive of Service connection EFECTIVE DATES Maybe EFECTIVE DATES Maybe: Upon signing into law DIC Terminally Ill Homeless, Extreme financial hardship 85 or demonstrating other sufficient cause Upon signing into law for: Asthma Respiratory cancer Brain Cancer The 2 Bronchiolitis Emphysema Granulomatous Disease Interstitial Lung Disease Pleuritis Pulmonary Fibrosis Sarcoidosis Chronic Sinusitis Chronic Rhinitis Glioblastoma
Claims Stuff We need today Gulf/SWA Etc. Presumptive of Service connection EFECTIVE DATES Maybe EFECTIVE DATES Maybe: October 1, 2025 Kidney Cancer Melanoma October 1, 2023 Chronic Bronchitis COPD October 1, 2024 Head Cancer Neck Cancer Gastrointestinal Cancers Reproductive Cancers** Lymphoma Cancers Lymphomatic Cancers Pancreatic Cancer ** see next slide
What are Reproductive cancers (Most Common) Female Reproductive Cancers: Cervical Ovarian Uterine Vaginal Vulvar Breast Male Reproductive Cancers: Testicular Penile Prostate
Claims Stuff We need today-New Atomic Veterans Sec 401 Eniwetok Atoll clean up as a radiation exposure site. 1/1/1977 12/31/1980 & Sec 402 Nuclear response Palomares Spain (1/17/1966-3/31/1967) & Thule Greenland 1/21/68 9/25/1968) as radiation exposure site. Presumptive for diseases listed 38 CFR 3.309 (d)(2). Radiation Exposed Veterans
Claims Stuff We need today Agent Orange Sec 403 New Agent Orange exposure sites. Covered Service: Vietnam 1/9/1962- 5/7/1975 Thailand 1/9/1962 6/30/1976 Laos 12/1/1965-9/30/1969 Cambodia (Mimot or Krek, Kampong Province) 4/`6/1969-4/30/1969 Guam or American Samoa or territorial waters 1/9/1962-7/31/1980 Johnston Atoll or a ship that called at the Atoll 1/1/1972 9/30/1977 Sec 404 New presumptive diseases for Agent Orange. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance Effective 10/1/2022 Hypertension Effective 10/1/2026
Other Random Stuff Sec 505/506 Study on effects of Manhattan project waste. Sec 507 Study on toxic exposure and mental health. Sec 508 Study on veterans in territories of the United States. Sec 803 Correction of exposure records. Sec 808 Burn Pit Transparency.
