The PACT Act is finally connecting veterans’ toxic exposure to PF care

Each year, at the 11th minute of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a calendar alarm sounds on my phone. It recalls the signing of the armistice that marked the end of World War I in 1918. Originally known as Armistice Day, the day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

This is the first year my column has been published on Veterans Day.

I am a veteran too. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) almost 20 years after my retirement from the U.S. Air Force. While my IPF is not service-connected, meaning I could not be treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the number of veterans being diagnosed with IPF has increased at an alarming rate.

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Increased rates of IPF among veterans

A study using data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) evaluated the incidence and prevalence of IPF among veterans who received treatment from a VHA facility. It reviewed electronic health records of 10.7 million veterans who’d received care between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2019. During that time, 139,116 veterans were diagnosed with IPF, with the prevalence increasing “from 276 cases per 100,000 in 2010 to 725 cases per 100,000 in 2019.” By comparison, about 50,000 cases of IPF are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to data from Boehringer-Ingelheim.

In 2022, thanks to efforts by veteran and health advocacy organizations, Congress passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. Referred to as the PACT Act, the law “expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances,” according to the VA website.

Toxic exposures from the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and post-9/11 era were part of the expansion of eligibility for VA healthcare. Exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam and to burn pits during the Gulf War are examples of toxic exposures covered under the PACT Act. More than 20 different conditions are covered by the law, including pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and other respiratory diseases.

Linking IPF and toxic exposure

Veterans who enroll receive an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up screening every five years. Consider that in the context of an IPF diagnosis. Exposure to an agent known to cause PF doesn’t result in the disease being diagnosed immediately. More often, it’s not diagnosed for years, necessitating follow-up screenings.

Research continues to better understand how toxic exposures cause these conditions. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs have established focus areas under the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program and listed respiratory health concerns, including PF and burn pit exposure, as priorities for funding.

Veterans often encounter other veterans. I see them in medical waiting rooms or at events honoring veterans. I’m often surprised by how many have not heard of the PACT Act. The VA, in my view, did an amazing job publicizing the services for veterans, yet some still were not aware of the expanded coverage.

Organizations like the American Legion, through the Veteran Service Officer (VSO) program, assist any veteran, providing “expert, no-cost assistance to veterans and their families for VA disability benefits applications and education and employment resources.” When I encounter a veteran who may be eligible under the PACT Act, I encourage them to find an American Legion post to meet with a VSO.

For any veterans or their families, thank you for your service. You answered a call, and as a nation, we should be grateful. Writing about the PACT Act allows me to help you make every breath count.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.