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Montana Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, speaks at a June 7, 2022, press conference on legislation to provide health care for veterans exposed to burn pits. (Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom)

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Thousands of veterans apply for toxic exposure benefits, health care
November 28, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Thousands of veterans apply for toxic exposure benefits, health care

VA has set up website at va.gov/pact as well as a phone number, 800-698-2411, for veterans to call for more information or to file claim

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is processing claims at the fastest rate in its history, hoping to avoid a significant backlog as hundreds of thousands of veterans apply for health care and benefits under the landmark toxic exposure law Congress passed earlier this year. The day after President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in August, veterans set an all-time record for benefits claims filed online and more than 136,000 have applied for benefits under the toxic exposure law as of mid-November. The VA expects the number of veterans and surviving family members applying could reach more than 700,000 in the coming months.