“Advocates like [Amy] Antioho and groups in Connecticut are encouraging veterans to sign up for benefits, especially before the Aug. 9 deadline.

Alison Weir, executive director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, is also urging veterans whose claims have previously been denied or those who have experienced issues with the VA to still sign up for benefits. “It’s been a long fight getting the VA to recognize that service connection is more than just a dislocated arm or something of a direct wound from combat,” Weir said. “It can be environmental.”

“The big thing we want to make sure people know too is [there are] a lot of people denied in the past who should still refile,” she added.

Thank you to Lisa Hagen and the CT Mirror for their ongoing coverage of the PACT Act. Read the full article here.

Information about the PACT Act can be found on www.va.gov/PACT. There is no deadline, however veterans are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and before August 9, 2023 in order to be eligible for backdated benefits.