Andrew Myatt was deployed to Iraq after 9/11, and like many other veterans, when he returned home he struggled to receive the healthcare he deserves. After putting his life on the line in the Army and being late diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, the last thing he needed was to be denied coverage 3 times through the VA. Yet, this is the reality of so many veterans who were unknowingly exposed to toxins in open-air burn pits when they were deployed. Until the PACT Act was signed, many vets were unable to prove to the VA that their illnesses were linked to burn pit exposure. The law now takes that burden off of veterans and automatically connects sicknesses such as asthma and various cancers to exposure.
The VA has estimated four million veterans were exposed to burn pits in the last 30 years, yet only 66,000 of those claimed benefits and 1.4 million have been screened for toxic exposure since the legislation was signed.
Now a year after the PACT Act was passed, VA Secretary McDonough is sending a message to veterans and urging those who may have been affected to file claims with the VA immediately.
Myatt said it is disheartening that so many members of the service have been exposed needlessly and have likely passed away due to this exposure. Shockingly, the Defense Department has yet to adopt policies banning open-air burn pits and it is tracking six of them in U.S. personnel countries.
While acknowledging the progress made by the PACT Act, Myatt was finally approved for coverage through the VA after the fourth claim was filed and his cancer was deemed a result of his deployments. Lastly, the VA is working on determining facility needs to provide care to potentially millions of more patients.
Burn pits are an issue that still needs to be addressed and as an important issue had brought to light, as well as the potential health risks to veterans. Thankfully, after years of denials, the government finally signed the PACT Act and it provides hope to veterans who are unsure of receiving coverage and being linked to the terrible toxins they were exposed to.
If you are a veteran and believe you have experienced negative health issues as a result of burn pit exposure, you can file a claim at VA.gov/PACT.
I filed a claim through the Pact-Act in November of 2023 & once a month I get a message that they are working on it! I was first denied due to requiring more medical records, which I provided and resubmitted. I was told it was elevated to a VA judge for decision – but as of yet have not received a decision!
What about helping the Vietnam Veterans who have been sprayed with Agent Orange and slowly dying. A couple of a Hundred Thousand would be great as pay back for poising us.
I am saddened to hear that you may have been exposed. Have you filed a claim? I am NOT a VA rep, I am an AMVETS fellow brother in arms who helps our vets file claims and seek further benefits. Just curious if you have filed a claim.
Good luck to all my fellow veterans on getting this resolved. Maybe this issue will get you the care you earned and deserved. I really hope you won’t have to be left behind by a country that only cares about veterans in election year then when the TV cameras are are gone it’s back to more important issues.
Wat bout Va not identifying all burn pit locations I was in Guam in 1976 as a Air Force Security Police and was exposed to one of the largest Burn pits at Tarque Beach and DOD nor VA will acknowledge it was there.. Also sent to Honduras at palmtops Air base and was also exposed to burn pit there again no acknowledgement from VA nor DOD.
My friend who is a Vietnam veteran and stick kicking at 82. He’s having a lot of denials for PACT act . He needs help DAV not helping him . I told him to change his power of attorney to American Legion and join them and they would help him get the 100% he so rightfully deserves. Any pointers I can give him?
I got sick in 1991 on the way home and after I got out my doctor told me there’s something in ur blood like the Epstein bar virus but that’s not it. He said u got chemicals in ur blood but the lab don’t understand ur reading. Keep getting sicker my dr did everything. Till he retired but he said u will never get better just worse. He was right. I’ve had 900 overnight stays in the hospital and about 2000 er visits. Bleeding vomiting gi issues everything got worse seizures. But they kept saying no chemicals used. I saw them personally in a bunker and those r the ones they didn’t get rid of. Lying is the government way. I got my 100 percent 5 year ago after my Ssdi and I got back pay for 3 years that’s it. Not everything I lost job and time. Joe Biden got this going because of his son it’s a step . But I’ll never let my kids serve and I only use the va for dental . We do the work they got rich and lied.
What about us veterans operating in TERA environments prior to 9/11? Same symptoms, cancers, etc. mentioned in the PACT Act. Any chance that the PACT Act will be expanded to cover us?
I’ve got a question about this PACT Act. Shouldn’t it also cover Aqueous Film Forming Foam, or AFFF, used in combating fuel fires. Exposure to AFFF causes prostate cancer. I was diagnosed with aggressive metastatic stage 4 prostate cancer and not really sure how long I’ve got. If anyone can answer this, please email me.
Thanks to ALL my brothers and sisters out there!!!
What about those Veterans exposed to hazardous chemicals, materials, fuels (JP-4)? I’ve suffered from several ailments, I have a lesion on my brain, have 3 aneurysms in my aorta, had a carcinoid tumor removed from my right lung by way of a lobectomy. I’ve been fighting the VA since 2020; I have been marginalized and though the VA concedes to my exposure, to my tumor and subsequent lobectomy to remove it, they refused to rate me. I have neuropathy as a direct result of the surgery, have no “reflexes on the right side of my body and only my left knee responsive on the left side. My private insurance and a ton of personal money have paid for the surgery; but I remain without part of my lung, have neuropathy causing pain and suffering every day. The VA cast me aside like they have so many; we are not important to them. It’s easy to expect others to stand up and risk it all for our country; every Veteran I know, including myself, would give their lives to protect our people; unfortunately, the VA doesn’t share the same sentiment nor supports those Veterans who end up sick or suffering from incurable conditions; we are PEOPLE TOO and expected our Military to provide personal protections to afford us to do our jobs without killing us later. Shame on them for bypassing the thousands and forgetting our sacrifices for this country.