From staff reports
Beaufort County Veterans Affairs has announced that Post 9/11 Combat Zone Veterans are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits, until 11:59 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty between September 11, 2001 and October 1, 2013 are qualified for this special enrollment period which gives Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones an opportunity to enroll directly in VA health care without having applied for VA benefits.
This special enrollment period is a part of the PACT Act, the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in generations.
Some things the PACT Act does are:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras;
- Adds more than 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures;
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation;
- Requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care; and
- Helps the VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.
Beaufort County Veterans Affairs office encourages all eligible South Carolina Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and sign up for VA health care before the deadline.
For more information or to set up an appointment, call Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880. Visit Beaufort County Veterans Affairs to learn more about programs and services for veterans and their families.
