'Millions' of Veterans Exposed to Environmental Hazards Will Be Eligible for VA Health Care on March 5

Millions of U.S. veterans will be eligible beginning March 5 for health care with the Department of Veterans Affairs under an accelerated effort to provide benefits and services to those exposed to toxic substances while serving.

The VA announced Monday that all veterans who have served in a combat zone since the Vietnam War, as well as those who participated in training or operations and came into contact with hazardous materials, will be able to enroll in VA health care.

The expansion of health care benefits was mandated by the PACT Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, which required the expansion to occur by 2032. VA officials said last month the acceleration is a result of a hiring blitz made possible by provisions in the law.