National:

• Patrick Flaherty as taken over temporarily the National Board Veterans Affairs Committee Chair for Danny Eakins who has a family situation to work through. Keep Danny in our prayers.

State: NSTR I have been in contact with Brendan Cooney, State Board Veterans Chair, but for some reason I am not getting his emails. Worthy President thank you for passing information along.

TAPS:  As previously reported the check to TAPS was presented and photos provided. Were these passed to the AOH Digest? Thanks.

PACT ACT: as I reported last year, the PACT ACT was passed by Congress to provide added disability presumptions for Vietnam era and Southwest Asia/Middle East service covering burn pits, etc. Presumption means that an illness covered under the act is considered due to service in a particular area or “AOR”. If disability occurs / occurred, a claim for VA medical and disability assistance can be made. The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that “presumed” caused by exposure to various toxic substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

• PACT Act backdated benefits deadline has been extended.
• You now have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 14, 2023, to file your PACT Act claim—or submit your intent to file—and be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. Take advantage of this extension and file now!
• 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 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic 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 improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
• Go to https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ for more information.