The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will expand Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act health care funding for veterans on Tuesday, March 5, years ahead of schedule. In preparation for this development, the Oswego County Veterans’ Services Agency (VSA) stands ready to help veterans claim this benefit.

“The PACT Act funds health care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxins such as Agent Orange, burn pits and others,” said Oswego County Veterans’ Services Agency Director Eric Boozer. “This upcoming change will allow those veterans to enroll directly for VA health care without first applying for other benefits.

“Usually, when veterans hear about benefits associated with Agent Orange exposure, they think of Vietnam,” he explained. “However, that was not the only place where they could have been exposed. We have tracked other locations and time frames where people could’ve been exposed during their service in Eastern Asia, the Pacific Rim and the U.S.”

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other toxins and hazards during their military service, including those deployed in the global war on terror and those who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, in Iraq, Afghanistan or other combat zone after 9/11 are all encouraged to apply for health care benefits.

“There is no deadline to file a PACT Act claim, but we want to make sure that veterans know about this benefit and how it can help them now,” Boozer added. “The list of illnesses and conditions that could have been caused by these toxins is extensive and includes possible birth defects in children of veterans who were exposed to them.”

He also reminded veterans who filed an ‘Intent to File a Claim’ form last year to complete their paperwork by Wednesday, Aug. 14 to receive retro payments from the PACT Act.

Veterans can file their claims through their local VSA or by contacting the federal VA either by phone at 1-800-827-1000, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday or online at www.va.gov.

Those who have questions, need more information or assistance in filing can call the Oswego County Veterans’ Services Agency at 315-591-9100.