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Watchdog: VA may have overpaid millions in Gulf War Syndrome benefits
Investigators estimate that the Veterans Benefits Administration “prematurely” approved thousands of claims.
![Veterans, military family members and advocates call for Senate Republicans to change their votes on a bill designed to help millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service, on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, Aug. 1, 2022.](https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/v2/MB66VV54PRBSRLXBYJ5NXHN4SU.jpg?auth=62cd4e7e9db41779460036be7d33ab6b202ec76dd15576e52773bcb7d424d9f4&width=5834&height=3889)
Veterans
Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure
The first anniversary of the PACT Act, sweeping toxic exposure legislation expanding health and disability benefits for veterans, is Thursday.
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40% of vets report worries about military toxic exposure injuries
Since November, VA officials have screened more than 1 million veterans for health issues related to things like burn pit smoke and chemical contamination.
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Biden urges vets to apply for burn pit benefits right away
The commander in chief traveled to Delaware for a veterans town hall to highlight new services and help for toxic exposure victims.
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VA starting work on terminally ill vets’ PACT Act claims immediately
The move could speed up benefits for about 2,500 veterans.
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Will Biden award the Medal of Freedom to burn pit activists?
Advocates have called for some prominent leaders of the effort to be recognized with the nation's highest civilian honor.
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New VA toxic exposure screening starts Nov. 8
The five-minute series of questions is designed to inform vets of new benefits they may be able to receive.
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Nearly 113K claims already filed for PACT Act benefits
VA officials have urged all vets who believe they are eligible for the new benefits to apply soon.
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Burn pit registry is failing to help track vet illnesses, experts say
The effort has collected more than 317,000 names but fails to present a full picture of the problem, researchers concluded.
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Vets can apply for all PACT Act benefits now after VA speeds up law
Congress said officials could wait until 2026 to handle some claims, but White House officials have ordered VA to move faster.
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Reflecting on burn pits after the passage of the PACT Act
Kelly Kennedy, War Horse managing editor, was the first reporter to cover burn pits and the resulting illnesses in service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
![President Biden sits at desk smiling and holding PACT Act bill he just signed as he is surrounded by smiling advocates, veterans and their families looking down at him.](https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/v2/3FH5HHG66NGBJMZFYEBYDVSY5Y.jpg?auth=f8347748cd3a216a15e91b166fcc25a74128517ebc062addda294026b854c7fd&width=6000&height=4000)
Biden signs burn pit exposure health bill into law
Biden called the PACT Act one of the most important changes to veteran support policies in decades.
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Burn pits recognition for veterans took decade of struggle
President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign the bill boosting health and disability benefits for veterans into law on Wednesday.
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Now that PACT Act has passed, how soon will veterans see their benefits?
Some portions of the sweeping veterans policy measure will go into effect as soon as it becomes law. Others will take years.
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Millions of vets suffering from burn pit, toxic injuries set for more benefits after Congress passes PACT Act
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the sweeping plan into law in coming days.
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Burn pits benefits bill concerns aren’t new, hinge on budget moves
Republicans have accused Democrats of making new changes to complicate the sweeping veterans policy measure, but the budget issues they cite have been in the bill for months.
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Vets holding around-the-clock protest outside Capitol to push for new toxic exposure bill
The move comes after Senate Republicans blocked the legislation earlier this week.
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