Press Releases

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) is highlighting how an expansion of veterans benefits he helped get signed into law in 2022 is helping Central Coast veterans, and reminding veterans of a key deadline for those who are eligible for new health benefits under the law.

“Two years ago, we came together with President Joe Biden to pass the largest and most significant expansion of veterans benefits in more than 30 years. And since then, we have seen more than 1.5 million claims filed,” said Rep. Carbajal. “While we have seen so many already utilizing these expanded benefits – current estimates suggest that more than 5 million veterans were exposed to some amount of toxic substances during their military service…I’m encouraging all veterans who submitted an “Intent to File” last summer to make sure they are following through and submitting an actual claim as soon as possible.”

The Honoring our PACT Act, which was signed into law in August 2022, added new presumptive coverage for 23 conditions known to be caused by exposure to radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War toxins, and burn pit exposures.

Veterans seeking to claim benefits backdated to the original date of the legislation were required to submit an Intent to File form by August 9, 2023. Veterans who completed an Intent to File form have one year to file a claim, leaving these veterans with only a few weeks remaining to file a claim that would secure them the full backdated benefits.

Veterans with questions about PACT Act eligibility can visit VA.gov/PACT or contact their local veterans service organization.

Veterans and survivors who missed the August 2023 deadline to submit forms or file an Intent to File can still apply for benefits. They will just not be retroactive to August 2022.

The new classification of 23 conditions as presumptive will decrease the paperwork and processing associated with these claims and will hasten the granting of benefits.

Veterans who were previously denied a claim for what is now a presumptive condition can file a supplemental claim. If a veteran previously submitted a claim for a condition now considered presumptive and the claim is still pending a decision, no action needs to be taken by the veteran, the review will proceed in accordance with the new eligibility.

For veterans having trouble with the Veterans Affairs Department, they can contact Rep. Carbajal’s casework team at carbajal.house.gov/help.