Dear Neighbor, 

I am honored to continue serving North County San Diego and South Orange County as your Member of Congress. In Congress, I am working with my colleagues in both parties to tackle the challenges that many service members, Veterans, and military families in California’s 49th Congressional District encounter.

As you may remember, President Biden signed the PACT Act into law on August 10, 2022. I proudly supported this legislation in the House of Representatives. The PACT Act is the most significant expansion of VA health care in 30 years. VA is encouraging all Veterans who may have been affected by burn pits and toxic substance exposure to apply, regardless of their discharge date. Veterans that submit PACT Act-related claims by this Wednesday, August 9, 2023, will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation.

To file, visit VA.Gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411.

As always, I want to hear from you about your priorities and the challenges you face. I encourage you to reach out to my office to share your thoughts and concerns or ask any questions regarding military and Veterans’ affairs. Reach out to my office by visiting levin.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Mike Levin
Member of Congress

Important Updates from VA about the PACT Act:

• First, we at VA want you to apply for toxic exposure-related benefits and care right now. Learn more about the PACT Act and apply for benefits by visiting www.va.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.
• Second, if you apply for PACT Act-related benefits before August 10, 2023, your benefits will be backdated to August 10, 2022 – so get your claims in as soon as possible.
• Third, some Veterans are worried that applying for PACT Act benefits will impact their current benefits – but the truth is this: if you file a claim, there is a 97% chance that your benefits will either increase or stay the same. So, don’t worry, and don’t wait – apply today.
• Fourth, there are people out there who will try to convince you that you need to pay someone or use a lawyer to apply for VA benefits – but that’s not true. Applying for PACT Act benefits is free; it’s easy, and you can do it by working directly with VA or a Veterans Service Organization.
• And fifth, as a part of the PACT Act, all Veterans enrolled in VA health care will receive a toxic exposure screening. As of March 8 – exactly four months after screenings began nationwide – nearly 2.28 million Veterans have been screened. Ask about the toxic exposure screening at your next VA health care appointment.

Beware of PACT Act Fraud

While the PACT Act brings great promise to Veterans, it’s also a monumental opportunity for fraud. VA has received multiple reports of unaccredited law firms or companies targeting Veterans to offer their services to file claims for presumptive conditions. Unaccredited law firms and companies are reaching out to help for a fee as high as 40 percent of the Veteran’s retroactive payment and 40 percent of the Veteran’s first year of entitlement payments.

VA is committed to help protect Veterans from predatory entities, by educating Veterans, their families, and all partners about the types of activity and tactics being used against them.

To avoid being a victim of these schemes, here are some helpful tips to remember:

• Apply directly to VA. You may submit your application securely online via VA.GOV or in person at any regional office. You may file your claim directly with VA, and VA will help you gather the necessary evidence to support it. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply. Do not agree to pay an unaccredited individual or organization a percentage of your disability compensation payment or retroactive entitlement. If you need help filing a claim, there are accredited representatives to assist you.
• Be cautious of aggressive law firms or companies. Firms may use frequent communications (phone, text, and media messages) to establish a sense of urgency.
• Be cautious of for-profit companies that use VA’s name. They may alter their name to create a false association with VA and establish legitimacy. Examples include a website such as VAclaimsassistance.com that incorporates VA into its name.
• Review all legally binding documents thoroughly. Never sign a blank form someone else will fill out later or give them full discretion to act on your behalf. See the contents before you sign and keep a copy for yourself.
• Be wary of media advertisements regarding legal representation for presumptive VA claims. Companies advertising legal services may be predatory and financially motivated to obtain your VA benefits.
• If a company or individual is projecting misinformation or has questionable business practices regarding VA entitlements, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at and the Better Business Bureau.
• To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline (va.gov).
• Veterans and survivors who think they might be eligible should apply for PACT Act benefits right now. Go to va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information.

VA Expands Breast Cancer Screenings and Mammograms for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans under 40 who may have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service are now eligible for breast cancer risk assessments and mammograms (as clinically appropriate) at VA.

Veterans are eligible for these screenings regardless of age, symptoms, family history, and whether they are enrolled in VA health care. Generally, VA follows American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screenings, meaning that — aside from those covered by this new policy — most Veterans become eligible for screenings and mammograms at age 40. This potentially life-saving expansion advances President Biden’s Unity Agenda and drives progress toward the goals of the Biden Cancer Moonshot.

VA is expanding eligibility for breast cancer risk assessments and clinically appropriate mammograms as a part of implementing the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act. Dr. Hendricks Thomas was a Marine Corps Veteran who deployed to Iraq in 2005, where she was exposed to burn pits. In 2018, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She tragically passed away April 5, 2022, at the age of 42. 

“We at VA are expanding breast cancer screenings for toxic-exposed Veterans because early detection saves lives,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This is an important step toward making sure that breast cancer is diagnosed early, treated early, and — hopefully — sent into remission early.”

These services are available to Veterans who served in the following places and timeframes:

• Iraq between Aug. 2, 1990, and Feb. 28, 1991, and from March 19, 2003, until VA determines burn pits are no longer used in Iraq.
• The Southwest Asia theater of operations, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar (but not including Iraq), from Aug. 2, 1990, until VA determines burn pits are no longer used in such locations.
• Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from Sept. 11, 2001, until VA determines burn pits are no longer used in such locations.
• Other locations and time periods as determined by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.