Security Halt!
Welcome to Security Halt! Podcast, the show dedicated to Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, and First Responders. Hosted by retired Green Beret Deny Caballero, this podcast dives deep into the stories of resilience, triumph, and the unique challenges faced by those who serve.
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Security Halt!
PACT Act vs. Burn Pit Registry: What Every Veteran Must Do Now
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Deny Caballero explains the PACT Act, VA benefits, toxic exposure claims, and the Burn Pit Registry. A must-listen for veterans navigating healthcare, compensation, and long-term protection.
Topics Covered:
- PACT Act explained
- Burn Pit Registry differences
- Presumptive conditions
- VA claims and benefits
- Veteran self-advocacy
Chapters
00:00 Understanding the PAC Act and Burn Pit Registry
03:37 The Importance of Filing Claims
08:18 Advocating for Yourself and Future Veterans
Sponsored by: Dr. Mark Gordon & Millennium Health Centers
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PACT ACT LINKS:
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/pact-act-and-toxic-exposure-information
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What's up, everybody? It's Denny Caballero back with another solo episode of Security Out Podcast. And today we're going to talk about the PAC Act and Burn Pit Registry. That's right. After talking with a few veterans this past week, and I realized that not everybody's signed up yet. And even more troubling is uh a lot of people don't even know that there's a difference between the two. So figure that today we can sit down and dive into this so we can be better informed and we can help each other. The government already knows where you deployed. If they already know you were exposed to burn pits, if they already know toxic exposure is linked to cancer, respiratory illness, and long-term health damage, why do you still have to log in and take action? That's the question we're answering today. Because there's a dangerous assumption floating around in the veteran community right now. And it goes a little something like this. I heard we're automatically enrolled now, so I don't need to take any action. That assumption could cost you health care, compensation, and future benefits. So today we're breaking it down. I'm going to talk about what the PACT Act actually does, what the burn pit registry actually is, the critical difference between the two, and why autoenrollment does not mean auto-benefits. If you've ever deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf, or anywhere burnpits, toxic smoke, or Agent Orange were part of the environment, this episode's for you. And if you know someone who did, send them this episode. For decades, veterans were told there's no proof, there's no connection, we can't link your illness to service. And meanwhile, veterans were getting sick and dying. And many were fighting the VA while fighting their own bodies. The PACT Act changed that, but only if you use it. It isn't just about paperwork. This is about your long-term health, your family's financial security, and making sure future veterans don't have to fight the same battles. So, what is the PACT Act? Well, for starters, the full name matters. So let's say clearly, the Sergeant First Class, Heath Robinson, honoring our promise to address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, better known as the PACT Act. This is one of the largest this is one of the largest expansions of VA healthcare and benefits in history. At its core, the PACT Act does three major things. It expands VA healthcare eligibility. More veterans now qualify for VA healthcare, especially those who served in toxic exposure environments. It adds over 20 new presumptive conditions. This is huge. A presumptive condition means you do not have to prove your illness was caused by service. If you served in certain locations during certain time frames, the VA assumes the connection. That alone removes one of the biggest barriers veterans have faced for decades. It mandates toxic exposure screenings. Every enrolled veteran must now receive a toxic exposure screening at least once, and then every five years. That creates an official medical record, which matters more than most people realize. PACT Act applies to veterans from multiple eras, including Vietnam era veterans exposed to Agent Orange, Gulf War era veterans, post 9 11 veterans who served in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Somalia, Djibouti, and other locations with documented toxic exposure. If you were downrange after 9 11, this applies to you. Presumptive conditions. Why is this a big deal? Well, under the PAC Act, the VA now presumes surface connection for conditions including asthma, chronic bronchitis, certain cancers, respiratory illnesses, hypertension, and more. Before this law, veterans had to track down records from decades ago, prove exposure, prove causation, and fight denials for years. Now the burden is shifted. But only if you file. There is no deadline. But you have to apply for the PACT Act benefits. But here's what part people miss. The sooner you file, the sooner benefits start. Healthcare access expands, and potential backdated compensation is locked in. Waiting doesn't help you. It only delays what you've already earned. Here's the most important sentence in this entire episode. The PACT Act does not pay benefits automatically, even if you're eligible. Your condition is presumptive, your service is documented. You still must file a claim. No claim equals no compensation. You can apply today at VA.gov slash PACTPACT or call 1-800-my VA411. And if you're overwhelmed, just reach out to a VSO. In many cases, they'll sit down and work with you to fill it out together. Now, let's talk about something that gets confused with the PACT Act all the time. The VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. This is not a benefits program. It does not automatically grant compensation. So what is it? The registry exists to track exposure, collect long-term health data, support medical research, and in simple terms, it creates a snapshot of your health connected to where and how you served. The data is used to study long-term effects, identify trends, and justify future presumptive conditions. What we know today came from veterans who spoke up years ago. What we learned tomorrow depends on veterans speaking up now. As of August 2024, the VA expanded the registry. That means some veterans are now automatically added based on deployment records. But and this matters, autoenrollment does not mean completion. You still must log in, review your information, complete the health questionnaire, and if you don't, your registry entry is incomplete, and the data doesn't help you or anyone else. Does a registry affect disability claims? Directly? No. But indirectly, absolutely. And here's why. Registry data informs research. Research drives policy, and policy determines future presumptive conditions. Today's registry data becomes tomorrow's PACT Act expansion. Now let me make something crystal clear. The Burn Pit Registry is a research tool. It collects data, it helps shape future care and benefits, but it does not pay compensation. The PACT Act is the law. Expands healthcare eligibility, provides disability compensation, and requires you to file a claim. But you need to do both. And never confuse the two with one another. So why do you still have to log in? This is where veterans get tripped up. Yes, systems have improved. Yes, autoenrollment exists, and yes, the VA has more data than ever. But here's the truth the VA can't advocate for you better than you can advocate for yourself. Logging in and completing your registry entry, your toxic exposure screening, your benefits claim creates a medical paper trail, a legal record, and protection for your future, especially if symptoms appear years from now. So here's what I want you to do after this episode. I want you to go to VA.gov forward slash packed PACT, review your eligibility, file a claim if you're if you qualify, and then complete the burn pit registry questionnaire. Get your toxic exposure screening scheduled, and then reach out to one other veteran who you served with or that you know and ask them, hey, have you done this yet? Because this isn't just about us. It's about the next generation of veterans who shouldn't have to fight the same fight. So, in closing, the PACT Act is a promise. But a promise only works if it's claimed. The Burn Pit Registry is a voice, but a voice only matters if it's used. Take the time, log in, protect your health, and protect your family. Help protect the future of our veteran community. This episode has helped you, please share it. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out, 850-376-8101, or hit me up by email, sechoppodcast at gmail.com. And remember, stay informed, stay connected, but most importantly, take care of yourself and each other. You know, Spiel. Episode's already over. Real quick, down and dirty. Do me a favor, hit on the episode description, click those links, support my sponsors, and do me one last favor, head on over to Spotify or Apple Podcast and leave me a five star review. Send me some words of encouragement. Let me know what you liked, let me know what you didn't like, let me know some topics. And right now on Spotify, you can text me directly. Click the uh little feature right there, send me a message. Let me know what you think of this episode. Anyways, thank you all for tuning in. I hope you have a great week. Take care of yourself. Till next time.
