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By the National Veterans Legal Services Program
In August 2022, President Biden signed into law one the most significant bills affecting veterans benefits in decades. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (the PACT Act) expands health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans, particularly those who were exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. The law was the culmination of years of efforts to ensure that these veterans received the benefits they earned and deserve.
To help veterans and their advocates understand the numerous ways the PACT Act may impact them, the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) has written a supplement to its renowned Veterans Benefits Manual that summarizes the key provisions of the new law. Initially published in 1991 and known as the “VA Benefits Bible,” the experienced attorneys at NVLSP update the Veterans Benefits Manual annually with the important developments in veterans law.
The PACT Act, however, became law after the manuscript for the 2022-2023 edition of the Veterans Benefits Manual was finalized. NVLSP worked with LexisNexis to prepare a supplement to the Veterans Benefits Manual that is devoted exclusively to the PACT Act. Any individuals who purchase the 2022-2023 edition of the Veterans Benefits Manual, including those who previously purchased this edition of the manual, will receive the PACT Act Supplement.
As explained in the PACT Act Supplement, the PACT Act:
To help fill some of the gaps in the coverage of the PACT Act, NVLSP’s Burn Pits Claims Assistance Program (Burn Pits CAP) is focusing on providing free representation to veterans who were previously denied service connection for a burn-pit-related condition that is not presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act, including sleep apnea, GERD, and gastrointestinal issues.
NVLSP will also consider applicants whose claims for a PACT Act condition were denied after passage of the PACT Act on August 10, 2022, despite the fact that the new law requires their condition be presumptively service connected. Interested veterans are encouraged to go to NVLSP’s Burn Pits CAP intake page, where they can access an intake form and apply for free representation.
This page also includes two self-help guides, one for veterans seeking to file an initial claim for a condition made presumptive under the PACT Act, and one for veterans whose claims were previously denied, but whose condition is now covered under the PACT Act.
NVLSP is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1981. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 22 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.
NVLSP has represented veterans in lawsuits that compelled enforcement of the law where the VA or other military services denied benefits to veterans in violation of the law.
NVLSP’s success in these lawsuits has resulted in more than $5.4 billion dollars being awarded in disability, death, and medical benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their survivors.
NVLSP offers training for attorneys and other advocates; connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability benefits; publishes the nation’s definitive guide on veterans benefits; and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information on NVLSP, go to www.nvlsp.org.