Murfreesboro, TN - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Donald Remy will visit VA facilities in both Murfreesboro and Nashville on Thursday. During his visit he plans to talk with staff and Veterans, and discuss the care and benefits being provided.

A press release shows that Remy will participate in a PACT Act hiring fair to recruit staff who will process claims under the new law. PACT stands for Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics. Deputy Secretary Remy will discuss the expansion of benefits now available to Veterans, their families and survivors.

The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances during their military service. The release stated, “This law helps VA provide generations of Veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”

The PACT Act brings these changes: 

▪ Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras 

▪ Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures 

▪ Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation 

▪ Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care 

▪ Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures VA Regional Benefits Offices provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents. 

This includes disability compensation, survivor’s benefits, pension and fiduciary service, education and training, vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, life insurance coverage, and home loans guaranties.

About: The Honorable Donald M. Remy was nominated by President Biden to serve as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Remy’s nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 15, 2021, and he was sworn in by Secretary Denis McDonough on July 19, 2021, as the 9th Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

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