PACT Act Pitfalls: The Vets Falling Through the Cracks …
When the PACT Act passed in 2022, it was hailed as a historic leap forward for veterans exposed to toxic substances — from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Headlines everywhere called it a “landmark win.”
And for many, it was.
But two years later, a sobering reality has set in: thousands of veterans are still waiting. Still denied. Still left behind.
This is the part they don’t talk about on the news.
What the PACT Act Was Supposed to Do …
In theory, the PACT Act was a game-changer. It expanded presumptive conditions tied to toxic exposures, opened up eligibility for VA health care, and aimed to streamline the claims process for affected veterans.
Key promises included:
- Recognizing over 20 new presumptive conditions
- Extending care to more than 3.5 million veterans
- Automatically granting benefits to those deployed to certain combat zones or exposure locations
For once, veterans wouldn’t have to prove they were sick because of their service — the VA would finally take their word for it. Or so we thought.
What’s Actually Happening on the Ground
Here’s where things go sideways.
Many veterans have reported:
- Denied claims, even when they clearly meet eligibility criteria
- Backlogs in the hundreds of thousands
- Confusion around eligibility due to poorly explained rules
- Surprise rejections based on minor service details or outdated records
- Lack of local resources to help navigate the new system
For some, it’s déjà vu — the same bureaucratic wall they’ve been hitting for decades. New name, same fight.
Why Are Claims Still Being Denied?
While the VA insists it’s “working through the backlog,” veterans and advocacy groups are telling a different story.
- Eligibility confusion: Veterans who served in toxic zones not listed under the Act (like Syria or Somalia) are still being excluded — despite facing similar hazards.
- Documentation gaps: If service records don’t explicitly state where you were deployed or when, the burden still falls on the veteran to prove it — even with “presumptive” conditions.
- Clerical errors or outdated systems: Some claims are being flagged incorrectly due to technical glitches or old data.
- Case overload: With more than 1.5 million PACT Act-related claims already filed, the system is buckling under pressure.
The Cost of Being Left Behind …
This isn’t just a paperwork issue. These are real people waiting for cancer treatment, respiratory care, and mental health support. Some have died while waiting. Others are being forced to pay out-of-pocket while their claims linger in limbo.
And for many, the emotional toll is just as damaging:
👉 Feeling abandoned.
👉 Feeling lied to.
👉 Feeling erased.
What Can Veterans Do If They’ve Been Denied or Delayed?
If you or someone you know has been caught in the cracks of the PACT Act rollout, here’s how to take action:
- ✅ Track your claim closely online at VA.gov:
Don’t assume it’s being handled unless you see movement. - ✅ File an Intent to File form (VA Form 21-0966):
This secures your place in line and protects your retroactive pay. - ✅ Connect with a VSO (Veteran Service Officer):
They can help you navigate the appeal process and submit additional evidence. - ✅ Request a Higher-Level Review:
If you’ve been denied, ask for a fresh set of eyes on your case. - ✅ Gather all possible documentation:
Deployment records, medical files, even buddy statements can help strengthen your case.
Where Advocacy Is Still Needed …
The PACT Act may be law, but the work isn’t done.
Veterans groups are pushing for:
- Broader exposure zone inclusion
- More transparency in the claims process
- Expanded outreach for underserved populations
- Faster implementation timelines
- Accountability for unnecessary denials
If Congress truly meant this Act to be “historic,” they need to keep showing up — not just for the press conferences, but for the everyday veteran still waiting for justice.
Final Thoughts …
The PACT Act was a promise — and for too many, it’s still unfulfilled. Veterans shouldn’t have to fight the same battles once they come home.
If you’re struggling with a claim, know this: you’re not alone, and your service does matter. Keep pushing. Keep advocating. And most importantly, keep raising hell until someone listens.
Because exposure didn’t stop when you left the war zone — and neither should the support.
It’s all done deliberately by people at VA, who then cover it all up because their paychecks depend on it. Folks, this is a corrupt and shadowy organization and no checks by the courts when the fraud, abuse, and denial of care is made known. They fuck people left and right and get away with it because after all they have a neverending stream of dumbasses that go there.
“Veterans and active-duty military personnel face unique challenges. Reintegrating into civilian life, Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs) and post-traumatic stress all can contribute to poor mental health outcomes for our nation’s heroes.” – Utah News Dispatch
Uh oh. The VA managed to get that loophole normalized to some extent. “Adverse childhood events” will turn into childhood trauma and off you go with a diagnosis that allows descrimination and denial of compensation and pension benefits. They don’t have to treat non military trauma and owe you nothing if they can diagnose condition as pre service related mental health condition. Congress has not made laws that prevent this discrimination so they do it.
Courts need to sanction the incompetence at VHA if they’re gonna continue to hire all the leftovers in society to provide healthcare. Got people getting their doors kicked in at their houses because of something some idiot asserted. Got people getting jumped on as they voluntarily admit. Got people dying at VA emergency rooms because they didn’t have their ID. Where is remedy for the victims?
It’s understandable that the executive should have some discretion on how they carry out the laws made by Congress. When it comes to denial of care for relatively serious service connected conditions though, there is no leeway. They just fail to carry out the law period. If we had a functional judical branch, they wouldn’t be able to get away with it.
If it’s not cheap… the VA isn’t gonna do it. What they will do though is receive over a trillion dollars over four years and pay 400,000 + people to show up there. If they didn’t, they could use the money for veterans healthcare and there wouldn’t be the level of denial of care that we see at VA. That’s why it has to go. It’s a wasteful and inadequate system. Many died and still suffering…
VA Jobs program cost hundreds of billions a year to keep floating. What do veterans get for that amount of money? Not much. They fight everything but shots and pills… and of course if you want to simply go in there and talk to one of their super citizens on the gravy train that’s ok. It’s a joke.