NC veterans exposed to toxins could get more health care benefits through PACT Act

More than 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to toxic substances during deployment, according to the Wounded Warrior Project.

As veterans deal with the health effects that come from that exposure, the PACT Act expands the health care and benefits to support those veterans. On Tuesday on the SAS campus, veterans and medical professionals came together to discuss the implementation and effects of the act.

“Really knowledge is first and foremost the most important thing,” said Siobhan Norris, the Wake County Veteran Services Division Director.

She said her family has strong military ties, dating back to the Civil War. Now, her mission is being an advocate.

“After I got out of the military, it was a difficult transition,” Norris said. “When I got out, I felt completely lost. I promised myself I would be the best advocate I could be.”

That’s why she said getting the word out is so important, especially in a space right in the community.

“They pulled out these tear gas things. After they did that, they put us in a chamber and chlorine gassed up. You can’t help but breathe some of that stuff,” veteran Leon Wood recalled about his time in basic training. He was recently elected the service officer for the Cary American Legion.

Since the PACT Act was signed into law, roughly 40% of the 3 million screened veterans have reported concerns of exposure.

The PACT Act brings these changes:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds 20-plus more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education and treatment related to toxic exposures

With a total of roughly 678,000 veterans, North Carolina has the eighth-largest veteran population in the country.

There is no deadline to apply, but veterans are encouraged to file a claim by Aug. 9 in order to get benefits backdated to last year – when the bill was signed into law.

Sen. Ted Budd delivered brief closing remarks Tuesday.

“We have an absolute responsibility to care for them when they come back here,” Budd said from the podium.

Following his address to the room, Budd spoke to reporters. Asked about his endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump, Budd turned the focus back to his purpose for Tuesday’s visit.

"He was tremendously supportive for me," Budd said. "He’s won this state twice, but again, today, my focus is on veterans and the 650,000 that have served in uniform here in this state."