Vets can apply for all PACT Act benefits now after VA speeds up law

[boardman]

Vietnam Veterans of America, September 1, 2022
Vets can apply for all PACT Act benefits now after VA speeds up law
By Leo Shane III
Sep 1, 11:36 AM
Veterans Affairs officials are now accepting claims for all presumptive illnesses included in the massive toxic exposure legislation signed into law last month, including cases concerning burn pit smoke and carcinogenic chemicals that were not scheduled to go into effect for several more years. Source: Vets can apply for all PACT Act benefits now after VA speeds up law (militarytimes.com)

The military’s sexual assault problem is only getting worse
By Meghann Myers
September 1, 2022
More incidents, less reporting, plummeting confidence in the system to get justice ― those are the takeaways from the Defense Department’s most recent annual sexual assault prevention and response report, released Thursday. For years, officials have couched increases in sexual assault reports by claiming that survivors are becoming more comfortable with reporting, but for 2021, that math doesn’t bear out. Source: The military’s sexual assault problem is only getting worse (militarytimes.com)

VA Disability:Clearer Claims Processing Guidance Needed for Selected Agent Orange Conditions
GAO-22-105191
Published: Sep 01, 2022.
Publicly Released: Sep 01, 2022.
What GAO Found
For decades, Veterans Affairs has denied most disability claims by Vietnam veterans for 3 conditions associated with exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. These conditions—which involve nerve damage, skin cysts, and blistering—must have manifested within 1 year of service in Vietnam for VA to presume a connection between the condition and exposure. Sources: GAO-22-105191, VA DISABILITY: Clearer Claims Processing Guidance Needed for Selected Agent Orange Conditions; Pub. L. No. 116-315, § 2011, Comptroller General briefing and report on repealing manifestation period for presumptions of service connections for certain diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents and VVA Resolution AO-17 - Remove One Year Cutoff Date For Chloracne, Acute/Subacute-peripheral Neuropathy, Porphyria And Cutanea Tarda
VA extends temporary hardship suspension for benefit debts
Aug. 29, 2022, 10:48:00 AM
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is extending its financial hardship suspension on benefit debts through Dec. 31. This relief option, established to help Veterans through the COVID-19 pandemic, was set to expire Sept. 30. Source: VA extends temporary hardship suspension for benefit debts