Local Veterans received the opportunity to learn more about the Pact Act, how to enroll and how it may help them with health concerns that could have been caused during their enlistment at the Walter Hall American Legion Post #84 Saturday, August 19, 2023.
Veterans received the opportunity to learn more about the PACT Act, enroll for the program and express any concerns about any toxic exposure they had during their service time that could cause health concerns.
“We are more educated on the service aspect. What benefits they can have and how to get to those benefits and claims,” Crystal Pearson, Registered Nurse at the Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care Systems in Little Rock said.
The purpose of the event was to educate veterans about the PACT Act and how it may affect them, how it may help them financially, to offer toxic exposure screenings, open enrollment, and offer Covid Bivalent Vaccines for those interested.
The PACT Act defines toxic exposure as exposure to herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange as well as open burn pits, insect bites, immunizations, health issues and more. The PACT Act expanded the demographics of concerns for people experiencing this that is known now. It also expanded presumptive conditions which enable veterans to get service connected in an easier fashion for a variety of conditions dating back to the Vietnam War and to September 11.
Veterans can access information on the program by going to va.gov or calling the Special Operation Public Health and Safety clinic at 501-257-4031 or 501-257-6020 to speak with a toxic screening nurse navigator.
The screen process starts with identifying when they served and if they feel they were exposed to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange. Veterans can verify if they have been screened by calling the Public Health Clinic and they will assist the veteran with receiving assistance for your claim.
“If they are getting care and they are not sure if they are connected to local service claims they can contact their local veteran service officer. They are a very good source for veterans to reach out and they can tell them what the are service connected for, what claims they have filed for, what's pending, and assist them with that process,” Pearson said.
One of the biggest things that the Clinic has heard of in the last year of the PACT Act is that many veterans feel that they are already 100% disabled, but there may be more service connections that will help the veteran's survivor benefits. She also encouraged younger veterans who may be experiencing health issues to sign up for screening that will help with future claims if they were exposed to something during their service. Veterans do not have to get health care to be involved in service connection and file a claim.
There are two ways to get coverage for service connection. One is by filing a claim and if you already have a condition that warrant would I have this if I had not served or if you are healthy and its open enrollment period, go through the enrollment process and see if you are eligible.
Mike Singleton and Nekia Kelly enrolled veterans in health care eligibility, enrollment is updated, and make sure all the veterans are enrolled in the healthcare system. Enrolling veterans will need to provide copies of their current Id cards , their DD214 or other forms showing their military record showing when they entered the service and when they left the service; copies of award letters; income information for the previous calendar year, to see if they are eligible for VA healthcare.
Kelley said even if the veteran is not interested in medical care with the VA. It is necessary for them to be at least registered with the veterans affair system if they intend to file for service connected claims.
“Even if they don't intend to use us for their healthcare, they will still start with us, so that when they do go through the claim process, there is a record already for them to enter those claims.” Kelly said.
National Guard and Reservists will have to have a tour of activated service in order to qualify medical services benefits. The National Guard and Reservist will have to have a period of complete active duty time and be call to service by the president of the United States.
Veterans can enroll by visiting veteran affair medical center, online at www.va.gov and downloading and filling out a 10-10EZ form mailing it to the Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont road Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329 or by enrolling by phone at the Health Eligibility Center at (877) 222-8387.
For more information contact Nekia Kelly at the help line at 501-257-5656 option 1 or file a claim for service connection or any other claim that is non medical, veterans can call the regional office at 501-370-3829.
