What's The PACT ACT? How does it impact you? Here's the bottom line | The BLUF

This week, for your bottom line up front, we take a look at the PACT Act, one of the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in history.
The PACT Act:
www.va.gov/pact
File a disability claim:
www.va.gov/disability/file-di...
Apply for VA Healthcare:
www.va.gov/health-care/apply-...
What's that, Jon Stewart?:
• Jon Stewart: Apply for...
The BLUF
A VA Rocky Mountain Network Production
This show is made by Veterans for Veterans
Executive Producer: Shawn Spitler
Producer, Director, Editor: Matt Murray
Host: Sarah Kallassy
Technical Director: Patrick Battle
Teleprompter: Adam Desaulniers
Written by: Matt Murray
Chapters:
00:00 - 00:21 Let's talk the PACT Act
00:22 - 01:00 What's eligibility look like?
01:01 - 01:37 How's this work? Presumptive conditions?
01:38 - 02:08 Website information
02:09 - 02:26 Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 82

  • @DavidTanner-dm5jx
    @DavidTanner-dm5jx19 күн бұрын

    I keep getting the run around and being told no you don't qualify. Just because I didn't serve during the stated time lines. It's crazy. It shouldn't matter the date. I served on an aircraft carrier topside and was exposed to jet fuel fumes, jet exhaust, radiation from gear and weapons, burning paint fumes when we had a fire one night. Etc.

  • @murlobe

    @murlobe

    19 күн бұрын

    Exactly, if they don't want to admit those things are harmful, they just don't classify them as fumes that qualify as "toxins". Stuck underwater in a submarine with an artificial atmosphere using chemicals, I developed asthma, they don't care.

  • @charlesfortson9541

    @charlesfortson9541

    5 сағат бұрын

    I would forget filing under the PACT ACT and file your claim for the individual issues you have. They probably will use TERA to deny your claims. At that point, I would hire an accredited VA law firm, and then you can appeal(what type is up to you) Good luck shipmate!

  • @IronMayne
    @IronMayne27 күн бұрын

    If you were in a certain place like combat zone then there is no proof needed. What gets me and many vets is that let’s say we develope conditions years later and do we apply then or do we apply now to make sure we are covered down the road..hope that made sense because it tough trying to do the right thing by our bodies and current and future families.

  • @OmANnIe

    @OmANnIe

    27 күн бұрын

    Your question makes sense and I think it's a question most of us have.

  • @IronMayne

    @IronMayne

    26 күн бұрын

    @@OmANnIe im just saying, they give us the run around all the time and give us bad information as if we are asking or trying to con the gov out of billions. i dont even know what to do, should i get all the persumtuas conditions and get compensated eventho i'm not experiencing major things or should i wait till i develop something and by that time they will say nah its too late and we cant compensate you for this....smh what veteran like going to the va let alone dealing with all this service connected stuff.......ya feel what i'm trying to say. its tough doing it typing and all....thanks for reading my thoughts. be well peoples.

  • @thinking_about_beer

    @thinking_about_beer

    19 күн бұрын

    What you will need is a diagnosis. Once you have a proven diagnosis you can check to see if that condition is a presumptive positive for gulf war exposures. If it is one then it should be easily service connected

  • @IronMayne

    @IronMayne

    19 күн бұрын

    @@thinking_about_beer from my understanding we dnt need that. All we need is to be in that combat area and check the list of all the conditions. We dnt need medical evidence is my understanding ..???

  • @thinking_about_beer

    @thinking_about_beer

    19 күн бұрын

    @IronMayne well I mean I'd you are completely healthy and were exposed to burn pits you can't just show up and say 'hey burn pits messed me up' they can't service connect a condition without you having a condition. Now if you have say asthma or copd and we're exposed to burn pits, boom easy service connection

  • @arthurwalker4819
    @arthurwalker481919 күн бұрын

    I filed a claim in 2018 for agent orange related cancer but I kept getting denied because of exact location, Navy Blue Water. When the Pact Act came into effect it helped to confirm my claim and I was awarded payment. Only problem now is the VA did not award me any back pay!

  • @rogerperteet9312
    @rogerperteet931219 күн бұрын

    If you are denied you can appeal but it goes back to the same person that denied it the first time, So it hardly ever changes. I was lucky the first person was out of work and mine went to another person and she approved it 100%. She said the other person just rated each condition separately and denied each one,but she added them all together and approved me 100%back paid back to the date I first applied and paid my lawyer bill. I can't remember his name but his name started with an A and he is out in Arizona I think Phoenix so long can't recall He is a lawyer and transplant surgeon. Dr. and lawyer he was great

  • @rogerperteet9312
    @rogerperteet931219 күн бұрын

    The lawyers name was David Annaise, Arizona that I commented on earlier. I live in Ga. and we did everything on phone, and e-mail

  • @Jimmy82102000
    @Jimmy8210200019 күн бұрын

    I now have scleroderma and Lupus. Can I qualify for VA benefits? I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas in the 1980’s and was in the gulf war

  • @matildadhumxoxo5801
    @matildadhumxoxo58015 күн бұрын

    You should have used the Red cross as your lawyers. They helped me to quickly get 100% after i kept getting turned down for 14 years using the DAV

  • @tammyhormann6887
    @tammyhormann688719 күн бұрын

    PACT ACT connected because of service timeS near burn pits in 90s-2000s. Developed skin cancer (squamous cell) in 2020. Applied and told I will not receive benefit rating compensation because I did not have the cancer while active duty. What am I missing??!!

  • @skyhogg8000
    @skyhogg800018 күн бұрын

    I went to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. In 2014 I developed a presumptive type of cancer. so I applied. The VA admitted that my condition was service connected, but since I was in remission by the time they created the PACT ACT and I applied they gave me ZERO. Was my suffering through chemo...radiation...etc not worth anything? Just my tough luck? I also applied for kidney and thyroid issues that I have and will always have, which developed due to the cancer treatments. Denied as not service connected. Wait, if those issues were caused by the cancer treatment (that WAS service related) why aren't they service related as well? Am I the only person that doesn't see the connection? Actually, most reasonable people can see a connection, but they don't decide these things. I don't fault the VA as a whole (the local VA hospital treats me well), just the individuals that they hired to shuffle claims paperwork. Do they get a bonus for having a high rate of denials?

  • @johnnielash6586
    @johnnielash658619 күн бұрын

    Does being stationed at Camp Lejeune from 74 till 77 qualify me for the for the pact act.

  • @ooorah8499

    @ooorah8499

    19 күн бұрын

    Sure does brother!

  • @lewanashearer5738

    @lewanashearer5738

    19 күн бұрын

    I don’t know about the PACT Act but you most assuredly qualify for the Camp Lejeune Settlement if you spent even 30 days there between 1957-2000+. Google it. Get in line for the payout. It has already been settled.

  • @kramsemaj7869
    @kramsemaj78697 күн бұрын

    Someone sent me some excerpts from Project 2025 around VA. One of the proposals was (Eliminate concurrent receipt of retirement pay and disability compensation for veterans), Are you aware of this and what would be the real world effect on veterans? Thanks

  • @williammoore5277
    @williammoore527713 күн бұрын

    I was in Navy and was exposed daily to Haze grey paint all around me. How much can I get?

  • @fourvetperrie457
    @fourvetperrie45727 күн бұрын

    Hey yall do you know if the pact act does anything for excema? (Skin condition all over my body) 2 tours Afghanistan (sand/dirt)

  • @phillipneely3264

    @phillipneely3264

    27 күн бұрын

    Yes….file your claim.

  • @clintboston6641

    @clintboston6641

    19 күн бұрын

    I was in station in Egypt in 1998 -1999 and was a part of the MFO. missions. I have major skin issue all over my body that the VA. can't explain what, why or how I developed this issue. The VA. has been treating me since 2014 for this condition and have done nothing more that place me on chronic antibiotics, which do nothing really to speak of. I filed a claim in 2014 and was rubber stamped denied on all claims minus hearing. I have recently just opened a new claim with a local county VSO office and I am going to press for the PACT. act on the skin issue. I have read the info on the time frames, places and service type (Land, Sea or air) and I am worried that I'll be shafted due to being a 1/4 mile from some boundary line they stated for the PACT Act to be in effect. I read the data on the places, times and service and I make the cut but, It's kind of thin but, not really. Does any one have any info on the MFO. missions ( A 6 month tour in Egypt / Israel located a 1/4 mile from Saudi and on the Gulf Of Aqaba / Red Sea ) in the mid to late 90"s, medical issues and the PACT Act to advise me on? I'll update the thread once I hear what the verdict is on this topic. Any ideas of help on this topic would be helpful. Thanks

  • @phillipneely3264

    @phillipneely3264

    19 күн бұрын

    @@clintboston6641 i would get a vso and refile. If denied again i would get a lawyer. Did you upload all your medical files as well your dermatologist opinion?

  • @Jogibbie
    @Jogibbie26 күн бұрын

    I feel so many vets are left like my hubby, wondering what to do. He was in fort worth Texas during Vietnam era was ready to deploy but never did. Had his toes almost cut off by defective tank (gunner area gaurd was missing). They ended up having to reattach toes 2 times because drill sergeant made him go run morning after they were attached. Lost medical records due to flood in Texas. He was diagnosed 3 years ago with eye melanoma, in his right eye they say only if Dr says it definitely was exposure to the depleted uranium from shells will the pact act cover him. What a joke. Come on eye melanoma isn't common place. He still has circulation issues only in the right lower leg the toes issues. But they say the only thing they are giving him is 10% disability for the hearing loss from the tanks. I guess we should be happy he has that and his medical.

  • @sherylwalls2569

    @sherylwalls2569

    20 күн бұрын

    Keep appealing. Get assistance from a Veteran Services Officer

  • @thinking_about_beer

    @thinking_about_beer

    19 күн бұрын

    Without a deployment and exposure to PACT Act toxins this will be a tough case. Melanoma is very rare and tough to find a clear cause, it might be possible that depleted uranium contributed, but how likely is unclear. Sorry to hear of the story you have though

  • @schlirf
    @schlirf27 күн бұрын

    Cold War here: Between 1980 and 1986 I was assigned first to an Air Cavalry Unit in Fort Ord, then on to two Armored Cavalry Units in Germany, where I served on M-113s, M-60s and M-1 (tankasaurus) Abrams. While in the Air Cav there were a lot of JP-4 fumes floating about in the bird as well as exhaust. In the ground Cav I forgot how many times I was doused with either diesel or MoGas, as well as having to breath in CO when buttoned up. Currently have COPD diagnosis from the VA (West Haven and Newington CT) and am prescribed Meds to control the symptoms. Therefore my question: am I (and other Veterans from my era) covered under the pact act, and if so how to we apply?

  • @dmorrellhonda1

    @dmorrellhonda1

    27 күн бұрын

    Honestly the PACT act isn’t cut and dry. I have had friends get qualified under the PACT act that did not fall into these areas. File a claim worst that can happen is be denied, get a lawyer and get what they owe you! Do not accept no!

  • @thinking_about_beer

    @thinking_about_beer

    19 күн бұрын

    Copd is not a presumptive condition for JP8 and fumes. The VA generally studies diseases and their connections and there hasn't been conclusive connections yet

  • @schlirf

    @schlirf

    19 күн бұрын

    @@thinking_about_beer Thanks....and Prost!

  • @tommarinevet
    @tommarinevet12 күн бұрын

    It sounds great but it doesn't matter..you get denied...the Pact Act, today is pie i the sky and gives veterans in need falls hope....the merry-go-round continues until the veteran dies....file claims on their own merits forget the pact act....snd appeal to BVA and CAVC IF denied....

  • @JoeBattisfore
    @JoeBattisfore18 күн бұрын

    I work as a Veteran Service Officer and the information that is being put out is not what is being put into practice. Veterans who served for over 20 years on Active Duty in the US Navy and suredly had exposure to asbestos, which is clearly marked on their healthcare applications, are being denied enrollment. We forward multiple applications a day that are being denied because the Veterans Health Administration says they "cannot verify the exposure", which is not what is being advertised.

  • @RozzyF680-uf9qe

    @RozzyF680-uf9qe

    14 күн бұрын

    I worked in a insulation shop in a repair division on a tender I still have all of my records including some performance evals that state that I participated in full containment asbestos rip outs and I did many glove bags as well.

  • @xpresso_joe
    @xpresso_joe27 күн бұрын

    So this probably only applies to ground forces branches like the army and marines. I was in the navy and way far away from those situations. Probably the only thing I was exposed to was lead from the paint used on the boats. So I can see most navy vets denied

  • @damoneymaker

    @damoneymaker

    26 күн бұрын

    Ain't that the truth. I was a Boatswain Mate and I was expose jet plains, paints, and all kinds of chemicals. I am still fighting for my disability!

  • @xpresso_joe

    @xpresso_joe

    26 күн бұрын

    @@damoneymaker I hear that. I've dealt with the same conditions.

  • @unknownfeller3631

    @unknownfeller3631

    19 күн бұрын

    I you have been deployed to SouthEast Asian, than pact act applies to you. Also look where exactly is Southeast Asia. Hope that helps Shipmate. Formerly EN2, currently UE1(unemployed one). Haha🫡

  • @josephmitchelljr.9072

    @josephmitchelljr.9072

    19 күн бұрын

    Where you on steam ships or diesel powered ships?

  • @xpresso_joe

    @xpresso_joe

    19 күн бұрын

    @@josephmitchelljr.9072 carrier

  • @Exxon_2500
    @Exxon_250027 күн бұрын

    I, had the opportunity to deploy, my unit went to Afghanistan back in 2013, yet I was getting out my contract the first sergeant put me in rear D. The pact act is another great benefit from the VA God Bless America.

  • @dmorrellhonda1

    @dmorrellhonda1

    27 күн бұрын

    And how does it benefit you?

  • @Exxon_2500

    @Exxon_2500

    26 күн бұрын

    @@dmorrellhonda1It doesn’t because I never deployed. I just recommend it for those vets that’s have to check into the PACT ACT.

  • @KAZHE63
    @KAZHE6316 күн бұрын

    You need to cover Parkinson’s and Parkinsonism under burn pit exposure!!! 😡😡

  • @dontmisshope_
    @dontmisshope_26 күн бұрын

    Let's talk about Female Servicemembers suffer TRAUMA #JuneteenthWoes #FREEnotFree

  • @phatdaddy1955

    @phatdaddy1955

    26 күн бұрын

    Different subject. Separate issue.

  • @azazil061
    @azazil06125 күн бұрын

    Ill be honest. I still dont get it. I was 11b deployed in iraq twice. Im sure i was exposed to alot of things, one of our meet up spots was a huge trash dump where they were always burning shit. So im sure down the line ill get something but right now im fine. So why apply?

  • @thedon1570

    @thedon1570

    20 күн бұрын

    You’re not a veteran you made all that up

  • @thinking_about_beer

    @thinking_about_beer

    19 күн бұрын

    You'd need to have a diagnosis made. Then check is that disease is a presumptive positive for the exposure

  • @tommontoya5015
    @tommontoya501526 күн бұрын

    Is there a Financial Compensation Settlement?

  • @thedon1570

    @thedon1570

    20 күн бұрын

    You must not be a veteran.

  • @rogerborroel4707
    @rogerborroel470719 күн бұрын

    Baloney! I have pre-diabetes and was in Vietnam, 68-69, and filed a claim. Was denied, don't waste your time boys! Let the VA keep their pennies!

  • @damoneymaker
    @damoneymaker27 күн бұрын

    The only problem here is if you make more income as a civilian now you get disqualified.

  • @dmorrellhonda1

    @dmorrellhonda1

    27 күн бұрын

    Income doesn’t matter, please do not spread false information on a page designed to help anyone who wants or needs help. Va c&p is not based on your income. It is strictly based on your disability.

  • @damoneymaker

    @damoneymaker

    26 күн бұрын

    @dmorrellhonda1 so you say, but this Vet here has been disqualified, and I got the letter. Everyone is different.

  • @dmorrellhonda1

    @dmorrellhonda1

    26 күн бұрын

    @@damoneymaker I have heard of veterans being denied health care benefits but never applying for c&p and being disqualified because of income. You have me scratching my head!

  • @thedon1570

    @thedon1570

    20 күн бұрын

    @@dmorrellhonda1he’s lying it’s very clear here

  • @thedon1570

    @thedon1570

    20 күн бұрын

    @@damoneymakereveryone is not different you came on here to lie what the other person said is blatantly true, you must be Russian. 💀☠️

  • @juliohur4001
    @juliohur400127 күн бұрын

    Some experience a "BULF" when dealing with the PACT ACT

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