HomeMy WebLinkAbout20222806.tiffSTATE OF COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
6848 South Revere Parkway
Centennial,Colorado 80112
Phone (720) 250-1533
Fax (720) 250-1530
www.dm va .state.co.us
September 15, 2022
Re: Promise to Address ComprehensiveToxicsAct(PACT)
Dear Commissioners:
Jared Polls
Govemor
Brigadier General
Laura L. Geller
The Adjutant General
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to bum pits and
othertoxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans —and their survivors— with the care
and benefits they've earned and deserve.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures including
Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post -9/11 eras
• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and othertoxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive -exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
Veterans or survivors can file claims now with their County VSO to apply for PACTAct-related benefits. We
are experiencing a significant increase in claims across the state and are encouraging counties to assess their
VSO office capabilities in ensuring our Veterans continue to receive prompt and efficient service in filing their
claims.
We expect an increase in claims will also result in additional revenue to the counties. VA Geographical
Distributional of Expenditures (G DX) 2021 data provides the estimated dollar expenditures for various
programs including compensation and pension; education and vocational rehabilitation and employment;
insurance and indemnities; construction and related costs; loan guaranty; and medical expenditures by
county. The GDX also includes Veterans Population estimates of veterans enrolled in VA benefits system at
the state, county, and congressional levels and the number of unique patients who use VA health care
services. This information can be accessed at: State/Territories Summary Reports - Na tiona I Center for Veterans
Analysis and Statistics (va.gov).
Please contact the Lakewood Administrative Office at 303-914-5832 with questions.
Sincerely,
David Callahan
Director
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
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