PACT Act Archives - Military Veterans Advocacy

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John Wells Addresses National Association of Atomic Veterans Convention

Military-Veterans Advocacy Executive Director John B. Wells recently addressed members of the National Association of Atomic Veterans during the organization’s 2026 Annual Convention in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Held August 20–22, the convention brought together Atomic Veterans, their families and advocates committed to securing recognition, benefits and support for those exposed to ionizing radiation during military service. Wells spoke during the convention’s Saturday evening banquet.

A Longstanding Partnership

Wells’ appearance continued MVA’s longstanding relationship with the National Association of Atomic Veterans and its members.

The two organizations have worked together to advocate for veterans exposed to radiation during military cleanup and response missions, including those who served at:

Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands
Palomares, Spain
Thule Air Force Base in Greenland

For decades, many veterans involved in these missions struggled to obtain acknowledgment of their exposure and access to related benefits.

Recognition Under the PACT Act

Many affected veterans ultimately gained expanded recognition under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, commonly known as the PACT Act.

The law expanded eligibility for certain veterans exposed to toxic substances and radiation during military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs now presumes radiation exposure for qualifying veterans who participated in designated response and cleanup missions.

Before the PACT Act became law, MVA supported efforts such as the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act. That legislation sought to extend radiation-exposed veteran status and presumptive benefits to veterans involved in nuclear cleanup operations.

These changes represent meaningful progress for veterans who spent years seeking recognition of the risks they faced while serving their country.

Honoring the Persistence of Atomic Veterans

The NAAV convention offered an opportunity to recognize veterans whose exposure occurred decades ago but whose fight for acknowledgment and benefits continued throughout much of their lives.

“NAAV has never stopped fighting for veterans whose radiation exposure was overlooked for far too long,” Wells said. “MVA is proud of the work we have done alongside NAAV to help secure recognition and benefits for veterans who served at Enewetak, Palomares and Thule. Those victories matter, but our work is not finished.”

Atomic Veterans and their families have played a critical role in bringing these experiences to public attention. Their testimony, records and persistence have helped create greater awareness of the long-term health effects associated with military radiation exposure.

Continuing the Fight for Radiation-Exposed Veterans

Although important progress has been made, some veterans still face barriers when seeking recognition and benefits connected to radiation exposure.

Military-Veterans Advocacy remains committed to working alongside NAAV and other veterans organizations to:

Raise awareness of military radiation exposure
Protect existing benefits and presumptions
Address gaps in eligibility
Educate veterans and their families
Advocate for legislative and policy reforms
Ensure overlooked veterans are included in future protections

Partnerships between advocacy organizations allow veterans’ voices to reach more lawmakers, policymakers and members of the public. They also strengthen the collective effort to protect the benefits veterans earned through service.

MVA is honored to continue standing with the National Association of Atomic Veterans and its members.

Learn more about MVA’s toxic-exposure advocacy.

Support Military-Veterans Advocacy.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility for VA benefits depends on the facts and evidence of each individual claim.

August 20, 2026/by 550449pwpadmin

Toxic Exposure

Could Gulf War Illness Become Its Own VA Disability?

More than three decades after the Persian Gulf War, veterans are still seeking clearer recognition of the chronic health problems that followed them home.

Veterans and advocates are now urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize Gulf War Illness as its own condition within the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The effort follows an important medical development: Gulf War Illness received its own diagnostic code in October 2025.

A distinct VA disability rating has not been established. The current effort is an advocacy initiative, not a finalized VA policy change.

What Is Gulf War Illness?

Gulf War Illness is a chronic multisymptom condition affecting some veterans who served in the Persian Gulf.

Its symptoms can vary significantly and may affect multiple systems within the body. Reported symptoms can include:

Persistent fatigue
Muscle and joint pain
Headaches
Memory and concentration problems
Sleep disturbances
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Respiratory problems
Skin conditions
Neurological symptoms

Approximately 700,000 U.S. service members deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. VA recognizes that medically unexplained illnesses—commonly referred to as Gulf War Illness or chronic multisymptom illness—remain a significant concern for some Gulf War veterans.

How VA Currently Evaluates Gulf War Illness

VA already provides benefits for certain disabilities associated with qualifying Gulf War service.

Eligible veterans may receive disability compensation for certain undiagnosed illnesses and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. Veterans may also qualify for benefits related to recognized presumptive conditions.

However, there is not currently a single VA disability rating specifically titled “Gulf War Illness.” A veteran’s symptoms and diagnosed conditions may instead be evaluated under existing diagnostic categories and presumptive-benefit rules.

Advocates believe this approach does not fully reflect the way Gulf War Illness affects veterans.

Why a Specific Diagnostic Code Matters

The creation of a medical diagnostic code gives healthcare providers a standardized way to identify and document Gulf War Illness.

Advocates argue that the VA disability system should now take the next step by creating a clearer framework for evaluating veterans diagnosed with the condition.

A specific Gulf War Illness entry in the VA rating schedule could potentially address:

The diagnostic criteria required for VA purposes
The symptoms considered when assigning a rating
How disability percentages would be determined
How a Gulf War Illness rating would interact with existing ratings
Whether previously decided claims could be reviewed
How presumptive service-connection rules would apply

Those details would depend on future VA action. Veterans should not assume that a new rating or automatic benefit is currently available.

The Role of Toxic Exposure

Researchers have studied several possible contributors to Gulf War Illness, including pesticides, nerve-agent exposure, oil-well fires, medications, vaccines, airborne hazards and combinations of environmental exposures.

The absence of one universally accepted cause has complicated both medical research and veterans policy. It does not mean the symptoms experienced by Gulf War veterans are not real.

The PACT Act expanded benefits and healthcare eligibility for many veterans exposed to burn pits and other environmental hazards. It also changed the national conversation about how the government identifies and responds to toxic military exposures.

Recognition of Gulf War Illness as a distinct VA disability could become another important step in that continuing effort.

Veterans Do Not Need to Wait

Gulf War veterans experiencing chronic or unexplained symptoms should not wait for a possible future policy change before seeking assistance.

Veterans can:

Discuss their symptoms and Gulf War service with a healthcare provider.
Ask whether their condition should be documented as Gulf War Illness.
Request a free Gulf War Registry health exam through VA.
Review current presumptive conditions associated with Gulf War service.
Gather military and medical records relevant to their symptoms.
Consult an accredited veterans service officer, claims agent or attorney about available benefits.

The Gulf War Registry exam is separate from filing a disability claim. Participating in the registry does not automatically begin a claim for compensation.

Review VA Information About Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses

Read the Original Gulf War Illness Report

MVA Will Continue Watching This Issue

Military-Veterans Advocacy supports continued research, recognition and meaningful policy responses for veterans affected by toxic exposure and service-connected illness.

MVA will continue monitoring developments involving Gulf War Illness and advocating for policies that provide veterans with a fair and understandable path to the benefits they earned.

Learn more about MVA’s toxic-exposure advocacy.

Support Military-Veterans Advocacy.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical or legal advice. VA eligibility and disability determinations depend on the facts and evidence of each individual case.

July 15, 2026/by 550449pwpadmin

News, Veteran Education

Building a Toxic-Exposure Claim

What Evidence Can Support a VA Toxic-Exposure Claim?

Veterans exposed to burn pits, herbicides, radiation, contaminated water or other hazards during military service may be eligible for healthcare or disability benefits.

However, the evidence required for a VA toxic-exposure claim depends on the veteran’s service, diagnosed condition and whether the condition is covered by a legal presumption.

Understanding the different types of evidence can help veterans organize their records and identify information that may be missing.

The Three Basic Elements of Service Connection

For an original disability claim, VA generally looks for evidence showing:

The veteran has a current physical or mental disability.
An event, injury, illness or exposure occurred during military service.
A connection exists between the current disability and the in-service event or exposure.

Medical and military records often provide this evidence. VA may also consider statements from the veteran, fellow service members, family members or others familiar with the circumstances.

Evidence of a Current Condition

A veteran should identify medical evidence documenting the illness or disability being claimed.

This may include:

VA medical records
Private treatment records
Physician reports
Diagnostic test results
Imaging or laboratory findings
Hospital records
Medication history
Records showing the severity and progression of symptoms

A current diagnosis can be especially important when a claim involves a specific disease associated with toxic exposure.

Veterans should provide VA with enough information to locate relevant federal records and authorize access to applicable private medical records.

Evidence of Military Service

Service records can help establish where and when a veteran served.

Relevant documents may include:

DD214 or other separation documents
Military personnel records
Service treatment records
Deployment orders
Travel records
Performance evaluations
Unit histories
Ship histories
Deck logs
Flight records
Base or installation assignments

The most useful records depend on the type and location of the claimed exposure.

For example, Navy deck logs may help establish that a vessel operated within a particular geographic area. Personnel records may document assignment to a base associated with environmental hazards.

Learn Why Navy Deck Logs Matter in VA Disability Claims.

Evidence Documenting the Exposure

Some military records may directly document exposure. In other cases, veterans may need to gather different sources that help establish where, when and how the exposure occurred.

Potential evidence may include:

Official military reports
Unit or command records
Environmental studies
Government investigations
Maps and historical photographs
Records of chemical storage, use or disposal
Incident reports
Scientific or medical research
News investigations
Statements from people who witnessed the conditions

The relevance and reliability of each item will depend on the claim.

A general report showing contamination at a military installation may provide useful background, but additional evidence may still be needed to establish that the veteran was present during the relevant period.

Statements from Veterans and Witnesses

VA may consider lay evidence, including written statements from the veteran or other people with firsthand knowledge.

These are often called buddy statements or witness statements.

A useful statement may explain:

Where the veteran served
The veteran’s duties
What the person personally observed
How the exposure occurred
When symptoms began
Changes in the veteran’s health or functioning
Whether symptoms continued after service

Statements should be specific, accurate and limited to what the person personally knows. VA Form 21-10210 may be used for a formal lay or witness statement.

Medical Evidence Connecting the Condition to Service

When a condition is not legally presumed to be service connected, VA may require evidence linking the veteran’s current disability to military service.

This evidence may include medical records or an opinion from a qualified healthcare provider.

A medical opinion is generally more useful when the provider:

Reviews relevant military and medical records
Identifies the diagnosed condition
Discusses the veteran’s reported exposure
Explains the medical reasoning behind the conclusion
Addresses other potential causes
Cites relevant research when appropriate

A brief conclusion without supporting reasoning may carry less weight than a detailed opinion based on an accurate factual record.

Presumptive Conditions

For certain conditions and qualifying service, federal law allows VA to presume that the disability is related to military service.

In a presumptive claim, a veteran may not need to prove the medical connection between the exposure and diagnosed condition. The veteran will generally still need evidence showing:

A diagnosis and the severity of the condition
Qualifying military service meeting the requirements of the presumption

Presumptive benefits may apply to certain conditions associated with Agent Orange, burn pits, Gulf War service, Camp Lejeune water contamination, mustard gas or ionizing radiation.

Eligibility requirements vary. Veterans should review the current rules applicable to their service and condition.

Environmental Health Registries

VA maintains environmental health registries for veterans with certain military exposures.

A registry examination can help document health concerns and connect veterans with information about possible exposures. However, a registry examination is separate from filing a disability compensation claim and does not automatically establish entitlement to benefits.

Veterans should not assume that joining a registry files a claim on their behalf.

If Service Records Are Incomplete

Records may be missing, incomplete or unavailable decades after military service.

When this happens, veterans may be able to identify alternative evidence, such as:

Letters written during service
Photographs
Travel documents
Awards or performance evaluations
Statements from fellow service members
Historical unit or ship records
Archived government reports
Personal calendars or journals

Veterans should explain missing records and provide as much identifying information as possible to help locate alternative sources.

Start by Organizing the Evidence

A useful first step is creating a timeline containing:

Dates and locations of military service
Units, ships or installations
Duties and potential exposure events
The onset of symptoms
Medical diagnoses and treatment
Prior VA claims or decisions
Records already obtained
Records that still need to be requested

This timeline can help the veteran, an accredited representative and VA understand the claim more clearly.

Review VA’s Evidence Requirements for Disability Claims

MVA’s Work on Toxic Exposure

Military-Veterans Advocacy works to address systemic barriers affecting veterans exposed to hazardous substances during military service.

Through litigation, legislation, research and education, MVA advocates for policies that recognize exposure, improve access to benefits and ensure veterans’ claims receive fair consideration.

Explore MVA’s toxic-exposure advocacy.

Read the Okinawa Agent Orange Resources.

Learn about Gulf War Illness and VA disability.

This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Evidence requirements and eligibility depend on the facts of each individual claim and current VA rules.

April 17, 2011/by 550449pwpadmin