(Beyond pesticides, November 11, 2023) At a press conference on the eve of Veterans Day, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough confirmed that the federal government has implemented a program last year called “Sgt. Heath Robinson” Fulfilling our commitment to address the Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act). The bill, passed in August 2022, identifies certain illnesses as “presumptive conditions” arising during certain periods of military service. Passage of the law is a tribute to veterans and a public uprising more than a year ago that demanded that the U.S. Congress recognize and treat illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during military service.
Passage of the PACT Act of 2022 was controversial, first blocked by Senate Republicans, then met with public outrage, backed by comedian and activist Jon Stewart, and ultimately passed. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said: “For too long, our nation’s veterans have faced the absurd indignity of enlisting to serve our country, going abroad in good health, only to return home and experience the consequences of exposure to Sick from toxic substances.” “Be strong in the line of duty.”
Those with a putative condition do not need to prove that their services caused the listed condition. Veterans only need to meet service requirements to be presumed.
The law recognizes toxic exposure to smoke and smoke from open burn pits. The open burning of chemicals, tires, plastics, medical equipment and human waste in burn pits is a common practice in areas of Iraq, Afghanistan and other military operations in the Southwest Asian war zone, according to the Veterans Administration. go). The Ministry of Defense said it has closed most of the burn pits and plans to close the rest. President Biden blamed his son’s death from brain cancer in 2015 on his exposure to Iraq’s burn pits.
According to the Veterans Administration, there are 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures under the PACT Act. The change expands benefits for Gulf War-era and post-9/11 veterans to include the following cancers as “presumptive”: brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancer any type of cancer, glioblastoma, any type of head cancer, Kidney cancer, any type of lymphoma, melanoma, any type of neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, any type of reproductive cancer, and any type of respiratory (breathing-related) cancer. In addition, the following conditions are now presumed to be present: Asthma diagnosed after service, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, constrictive or bronchiolitis obliterans, pneumococcal disease tumors, granulomatous disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleurisy, pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. The Veterans Administration determines specific areas and periods of military service. The bill also includes other presumptive conditions, such as exposure to Agent Orange, a mixture of the herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War.
According to the VA, the PACT Act:
- Expand and extend VA health care eligibility for veterans exposed to toxic substances and veterans of the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 era.
- Added 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures.
- Adding more presumed exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
- Requires VA to provide toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care.
Disability claims can be submitted here.
All unattributed positions and opinions expressed in this article are those of Beyond Pesticides.
