VETERAN'S CLAIMS INFORMATION

Updated news for veterans today. 
If you need any assistance with VA Claims or any Service questions pertaining to Military Medical Benefits, please contact:

Service Officer Hours and Locations of Operation

Name: Michael Rhilinger
Phone: 401.223.3689
Email: riserviceoffice@vfwri.org
Schedule MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
 Location Senior Center Regional Office Vets Center Regional Office
Address:  380 Westminster St. Providence  02903  2038 Warwick Ave. Warwick RI 02889 380 Westminster St. Providence  02903  Available by Phone
Hours: 9AM-2PM 9AM-2PM 9AM-2PM 9AM-2PM 9AM-2PM
 
Questions on Camp LeJeune Justice Act: Many veterans have reached out to the VFW regarding the Camp LeJeune provision (Section 804) of the recently passed PACT Act. Please be advised that there is an offset of VA disability benefits with any settlement that may be received through a lawsuit. Veterans are encouraged NOT to sign any contracts to participate in lawsuits until VA clarifies how the settlements will affect service-connected benefits and care. VA regulations on this are expected in the coming months. For clarification on the impact to your current or future VA benefits, contact an accredited VFW service officer near you. 
 

 

The PACT Act and Your Care

Learn about the expansion of care and benefits

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act—known as the PACT Act. The PACT Act is one of the largest health care and benefit expansions in VA history. It helps us provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care they’ve earned and deserve

How can the PACT Act affect you?

The PACT Act expands eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. The PACT Act:

  • Added more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures.

  • Added more presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.

We have information on these two changes to help you see how the PACT Act may affect your benefits.

What is toxic exposure?

The term "toxic exposure” refers to a subset of Military Environmental Exposures. Whether an exposure is "toxic” is determined by 4 factors: substance, concentration of exposure, route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, etc.), and duration of exposure.

There are many types of possible exposures or hazards Veterans may have experienced during their military service:

  • Chemicals: Herbicides (Agent Orange) used during Vietnam era, burn pits, sulfur fire in Iraq, Camp Lejeune water supplies, pesticides used during Gulf War, depleted uranium, industrial solvents

  • Air Pollutants: Burn pits, oil well fire during Gulf War, sulfur fire in Iraq, Atsugi (Japan) waste incinerator, sand, dust, and very small, fine particles or liquid droplets

  • Occupational Hazards: Asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, radiation, vibration, noise, fuels, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and special paint used on military vehicles

  • Radiation: Nuclear weapons and testing, x-rays, depleted uranium

  • Warfare Agents: Chemical weapons, Project 112/Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD), herbicide tests and storage, and chemical experiments

What does it mean to have a presumptive condition for toxic exposure?

VA disability ratings require your disability to be connected to military service. For some conditions, you may have to prove the connection to your service. But for other conditions, we assume that your service caused your condition. These are called "presumptive conditions.”

The PACT Act includes new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures. To see a complete list of the new presumptive conditions and presumptive exposure service locations, visit The PACT Act and your VA benefits.

How to file a PACT Act claim

If you haven’t filed a claim yet, you can learn about your options to file online, in person, by mail, or with help. If your disability claim was denied in the past and VA now considers your condition presumptive, you can learn how to submit a Supplemental Claim. We’re here to help you understand how the PACT Act affects you.

 

The above article was taken from the Department of Veterans Affairs please visit the VA Website for additional information. You can also reach out to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Office.