The federal office of Veterans Affairs has announced that it will expand health care eligibility to millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their time in the service at home or abroad.
All vets who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after the 9/11 tragedy will be eligible to enroll directly for VA healthcare without first applying for VA Benefits. This eliminates the phased-in approach that was suggested by the PACT Act, meaning that veterans can enter into VA healthcare up to eight years earlier than what was suggested by the law.
Rachael Pritchard with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, which oversees the Indiana VA clinic, said that the expansion will help many who are not eligible for benefits.
To apply, you can call the James E. Van Zant Veterans Medical Center at 814-943-8164 and ask for enrollment and eligibility or stop in with your DD-214 and apply in person.
