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If you have a question about benefits, compensation, pension or VA related issues please submit here. 

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Q873:  Vietnam War veteran, boots on the ground, 1967 to 1968 173rd airborne brigade also 82nd airborne division. I had a heart attack December 27, 2021. Diagnosis coronary artery disease [ C.A.D.]. Will the VA pay me or add money on my disability check? I asked the question because this is a presumptive disease caused by agent orange and other herbicide exposures? I filed a claim. It came back "Deferred put on hold, waiting on " implementation of the Pact Act legislation. Are they waiting on funding from Congress? 

A1:  No, ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been on the list of presumptive disabilities for quite awhile. The PACT Act only added two new presumptive disabilities. Hypertension and Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Deferred usually means they don't have enough evidence to make a decision. If they added awaiting on implementation of the PACT Act, then they are just using that verbiage to bide more time on your claim. IHD claims have been adjudicated and rated for several years now.  (DS)  2/14/23

           

A2:    No, they are not waiting for funding. There have been over 300,000 PACT ACT claims filed since August of 2022. Cancer claims have been given priority.

       

It is doubtful that you will receive additional compensation. However, if you qualify for "Homebound" status or "Aid and Attendance" you could gain a few dollars more.

        

You might also want to look into the Caregiver program if you are having a family member assist you with your activities of daily living.  (RJ)  2/14/23