One year ago Thursday, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law, marking one of the most significant expansions of American military veteran health care in 30 years.

Wednesday, just hours shy of the anniversary, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced on social media that the VA had extended the deadline to file PACT Act claims, or submit an "intent to file," and be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

The deadline is now Monday, Aug. 14, at 11:59 p.m. — it was previously Wednesday. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended the filing deadline for people seeking backdated PACT Act benefits — the deadline is now Monday, Aug. 14, at 11:59 p.m Eastern

  • People seeking PACT Act benefits will still be able to file for benefits after that date, but this allows people to receive as many as 12 more months of backdated benefits

  • The PACT Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in Aug. 2022, is a substantial expansion of VA benefits for people who have been exposed to toxic substances, including an expansion of "presumptive conditions"
  • The VA said it's likely anyone who served overseas since 1955 is eligible for expanded benefits under the PACT Act

A note on the VA's PACT Act information page says some veterans filing for their PACT Act claims "have received error messages when submitting," adding that the department has "logged your intent to file and saved your effective date for benefits."

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act is a broad expansion of benefits for military veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances — as through burn pits — or chemicals like Agent Orange, as well as radiation. The extension seeks to ensure that veterans get the greatest possible amount of benefits possible.

“You can still file a claim or an intent to file a claim [after], but it will mean that you won't be able to backdate your benefits to a year ago,” said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who is the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and is the original sponsor of the PACT Act. “That can amount to thousands of dollars a month, times 12. And so you can see the urgency of why we want veterans to not miss out on the possibility of having backdated benefits.”

“There’s 23 new presumptive conditions and if a veteran has any of those 23 conditions, it’s a slam dunk — it’s automatic. The burden of proof is no longer in the hands of the veteran or the survivor. The PACT Act has really made things simpler when it comes to delivering benefits,” Department of Veterans Affairs press secretary Terrance Hayes said in an interview with Spectrum News.

According to the VA, over 800,000 PACT Act related claims have been submitted by veterans and their surviving families from Aug. 10, 2022, to July 29. But the VA estimates there are potentially more than 3.5 million people eligible.

“They’re able to still file a PACT Act claim next year, five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, but again, the sense of urgency is real. We want to get as much benefits in their hands as possible,” said Hayes.  

The VA said it's likely anyone who served overseas since 1955 is eligible for expanded benefits under the PACT Act. For Takano, making sure veterans affected by burn pits have the resources they need is personal. 

“I feel a very, very real and visceral connection to veterans. I had three great uncles who served in the 442nd infantry combat team during World War II. It was a segregated fighting unit of Japanese Americans who volunteered — some were drafted,” said Takano, whose family is of Japanese descent. “I always find it so poignant that we had individuals in our country, people of color, who stepped up to fight for our country, and believed in our country and believed in the promise of our country, even as our country wasn't living up to its ideals.”

The PACT Act was signed by Biden last year when Takano was still chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Takano calls the moment “a career-defining piece of legislation,” adding that he'll "count myself very fortunate if I'm able to equal the accomplishment of the PACT Act.” But Takano also redirected the spotlight from himself to those he is championing.

“It's so important that we take care of our veterans, we don't ever want them feeling that the country has let them down,” said Takano. “Because of everything they've given to us, we want to make sure that they know that we have their backs, if they're suffering from a toxic exposure, and all of us relate to a toxic exposure. We should be there for them. And the PACT Act is a big statement: We are there for you.”

Veterans and survivors who think they may be covered under the PACT Act can visit VA.gov/PACT for a list of qualifying conditions, which include multiple types of cancers and respiratory issues. Veterans can also call 800-698-2411.

Spectrum News' Julia Benbrook contributed to this report.