More than 800,000 claims have been submitted by veterans applying for additional benefits under the PACT Act, which was signed last year by President Biden. The PACT Act expands VA care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
The law has been a game-changer for the care possible for veterans in New Jersey and across the country, said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the under secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. Elnahal, the former president and CEO of University Hospital, Newark and New Jersey health commissioner, said, “This law allows us to be much more comprehensive in what we cover and the care we deliver.”
Elnahal said getting the word out about the additional benefits is crucial. Thousands of New Jersey veterans have received health screenings due to the PACT Act. Veterans are encouraged to apply by Monday, Aug. 14 so their benefits can be back-dated to Aug. 10, 2022.
