President Joe Biden is set to visit New Hampshire on Tuesday in order to highlight the significance of a law that aids veterans in obtaining crucial benefits due to exposure to burn pits or other toxic substances while serving in the military.
Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law in August 2022, over 1 million claims have been granted to veterans, according to the administration’s statement on Tuesday. This means that approximately 888,000 veterans and survivors from all 50 states have been eligible to receive disability benefits under this law.
Related posts
According to the administration, veterans and their survivors have received approximately $5.7 billion in benefits.
“The president has been concerned for quite some time that numerous veterans, who fell ill while serving and defending our nation, have had to battle with the VA to receive the care they deserve,” stated Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough during a press briefing on Monday.
The PACT Act holds a relatively lower profile in comparison to the president’s other legislative accomplishments, like the bipartisan infrastructure law and the comprehensive tax, climate, and healthcare package. However, it carries a deep personal significance for Biden.
Joe Biden, whose son Beau tragically succumbed to brain cancer after serving in Iraq, has been an outspoken advocate for addressing the issue of burn pits. These burn pits were used on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as dumping grounds for chemicals, tires, plastics, medical equipment, and even human waste. Biden has made a steadfast commitment to passing the PACT Act, determined to make it a reality.
Before the implementation of the PACT Act, veterans faced significant challenges in obtaining disability claims related to burn pit exposure. Shockingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs denied a staggering 70% of these claims. However, with the new law in place, the VA is now obligated to presume a connection between certain respiratory illnesses and cancers and burn pit or other toxic exposures. This crucial change has relieved veterans from the burden of having to prove the link themselves, providing them with the support and assistance they deserve.
