Biden Announces Over 1 Million Claims for Toxic Exposure Granted Under New Veterans Law
In support of our veterans, President Joe Biden has announced that more than 1 million claims related to toxic exposure have been granted under the PACT Act. “We can never fully thank you for all the sacrifices you’ve made,” Biden said to the gathered veterans and their families at a YMCA in Nashua, New Hampshire. “In America, we leave no veteran behind. That’s our motto.”
Since the PACT Act was signed into law in August 2022, approximately 888,000 veterans and survivors across all 50 states have been able to receive disability benefits. This milestone translates to about $5.7 billion in benefits distributed, marking a substantial effort to rectify past oversights and provide critical support to those affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures.
A Personal Victory
President Biden has long linked burn pits to the brain cancer that claimed his son Beau, who served in Iraq. This personal connection fueled his determination to see the PACT Act through Congress and into law. Burn pits, used for disposing of chemicals, tires, plastics, medical equipment, and human waste on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, have been a contentious issue, with many veterans developing serious health conditions from exposure.
Before the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denied 70% of disability claims related to burn pit exposure. The new law mandates the VA to presume certain respiratory illnesses and cancers are linked to burn pit or other toxic exposures, removing the burden of proof from veterans.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough highlighted the significance of this legislative change. “The president, I think, has believed now for too long, too many veterans who got sick serving and fighting for our country had to fight the VA for their care, too,” McDonough told reporters.
Before his remarks in Nashua, President Biden visited a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where he met with Lisa Clark, an Air Force veteran receiving benefits through the PACT Act. Her late husband, Senior Master Sergeant Carl Clark, was exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, a stark reminder of the enduring impact of toxic exposures on military families.
Senator Jon Tester of Montana, chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, commended the collaborative effort to pass the PACT Act. “For far too long, our nation failed to honor its promises to our veterans exposed to toxins in military conflicts across the globe—until we fought like hell alongside veterans to finally get the PACT Act signed into law,” Tester remarked.
As we move forward, the PACT Act represents the unwavering commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed for their country. President Biden’s announcement in New Hampshire is a powerful reminder that the journey to fully honor veterans continues, with each granted claim representing a step towards justice and recognition for their service.
We here at the Herd Law Firm, PLLC, support every man, woman, and child (including civilians) exposed to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, and believe you deserve quality and attentive legal representation. We are a Northwest Houston-based law firm, and are proud to be able to aid our veterans and their families in seeking restitution for their injuries. We are honored to be a part of the BMBF law group entrusted by the VFW to handle these claims on behalf of veterans and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune. Contact us at the Herd Law Firm at 713-955-4299 or at Charles.Herd@herdlawfirm.com. We would be pleased to speak with you about the full spectrum of options you have, and help you make an informed choice.
5/28/2024
