VSOs press VA on PACT Act presumptive process and timeliness of benefits
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Summary
Veterans service organizations told the joint hearing that the Honoring our PACT Act created a framework for presumptive service connection but that veterans remain waiting; witnesses urged VA transparency on the process for adding new presumptives and reinstating contract and staff resources needed to implement the law.
Veterans service organizations told a joint House–Senate hearing that the PACT Act’s framework for presumptive service connection has helped many veterans but leaves other exposed veterans waiting for VA decisions and that the department must be more transparent about its review process.
Why it matters: The PACT Act (Honoring our PACT Act of 2022) expanded VA benefits for toxic‑exposed veterans and created procedures for evaluating additional presumptive conditions. Witnesses said VA’s regulatory steps and internal staffing are central to whether veterans can access benefits in a timely way.
National Commander Al Lippard and Mike Figlioli, director of the VFW National Veterans Service, said the VFW supports the statute but voiced frustration with limited stakeholder engagement and a lack of transparency as VA publishes Federal Register notices without substantive pre‑consultation. Figlioli testified that the VFW "keeps hearing about conditions that VA needs to consider, but they have been less than forthright about coming to the table."
Lawmakers including Senator Blumenthal and Representative Takano urged committee follow‑up to ensure VA follows statutory requirements and that contracts and program offices that support PACT Act implementation — for example, a program office cited by witnesses — are not canceled or allowed to lapse in ways that delay benefits.
Witnesses urged Congress to maintain funding and staff for implementation and to preserve contracts and research that support presumption decisions and clinical care. Several speakers said abrupt, large‑scale staffing changes at VA pose a direct risk to PACT Act implementation and to veterans waiting for decisions.
Ending note: VSOs asked the committees to use oversight tools to compel VA to share timelines, evidence review criteria and lists of active program offices and contracts used to implement PACT Act provisions so stakeholders and veterans can track progress.