Beginning March 5, the Veterans Administration has made three new groups of veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than in the past.
They are:
• Veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service.
• Veterans who were assigned to certain duty stations in Southwest Asia or parts of Africa.
• Veterans who deployed in support of certain operations after 9/11.
According to Schoharie County Veterans Service Officer Eilene Fisher, that means veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, or Afghanistan; veterans who deployed to any combat zone after 9/11; and veterans who deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, can all enroll now for VA health care benefits.
Also eligible, she said, are veterans who were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or serving on active duty at home by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more—even if they never deployed.
“Bottom line: all veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards – at home or abroad – are eligible to enroll in VA care beginning March 5,” Ms. Fisher said.
“This is the biggest expansion of care in generations, and VA wants those eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
Ms. Fisher said the process is quick: Veterans don’t need to be sick or file a claim; all they have to do is show that they served in one of those locations or operations – or participated in one of the activities that could have exposed them to toxins or hazards.
“VA health care is proven to be the best, most affordable care in America for veterans, and veterans who come to the VA have better health outcomes,” Ms. Fisher said,
“Even if you don’t think you need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. All you have to do is enroll, then you have access for life.”
For more information, contact Ms. Wilson, Schoharie County Veterans Service officer at (518) 295-2053 or the Albany VA business office at (518) 626-6710.