The Veterans Affairs department announced recently that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military - at home or abroad - are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care.

This means that all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 are eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.

Additionally, veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are eligible to enroll.

As directed by President Joe Biden, the expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act - meaning that millions of veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. This is a critical step forward because veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. Additionally, VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for veterans.

The VA encourages all eligible veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care today.

“If you’re a veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, at home or abroad, we want you to come to us for the health care you deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for Veterans - and once you’re in, you have access for life. So don’t wait, enroll today.”

“Today, we’re making millions of Veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than called for by the PACT Act,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “With this expansion, VA can care for all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. We can also care for Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty here at home - by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, X-rays, and more. We want to bring all of these Veterans to VA for the care they’ve earned and deserve.”

Veterans with concerns related to potential exposure during their time of service should contact Wilkes-Barre’s Eligibility Office at 570-824-3521, Option 4 or via email at WilkesBarreEligibilityGroup@va.gov to determine the services for which they may be eligible.

Even if you’ve previously been deemed ineligible for VA health care, you may now be eligible as a result of the PACT Act expansion.

For more information about how the PACT Act is helping Veterans and their survivors, visit VA’s PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. More information on eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT.