The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) announced today that it is prepared to help Maine veterans access newly-available benefits following the President signing into law the PACT Act.

The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is a new federal law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. It is one of the largest benefits and health care expansions in VA history. With its enactment, the PACT Act will provide generations of veterans and their survivors with specialized health care and access to benefits.

This law will expand VA healthcare to a much larger group of veterans who will be able to access the VA Healthcare System and the Veterans Benefits Administration. MBVS Veterans Services Officers (VSO) receive specialized training in all VA conditions.

“Maine’s veterans have won a clear victory with the passage of the PACT Act,” Director David Richmond said, “And the Bureau stands ready to assist them and their loved ones with connection to the VA and with guidance filing claims.”

“We welcome the PACT Act and are grateful for the expansion of benefits for our nation’s heroes,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I encourage Maine veterans to reach out to the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, which stands ready to help you access the benefits you deserve and have earned.”

The new law includes veterans’ expanded healthcare eligibility, the expansion of Agent Orange (not just presumptive conditions but the expansion to five new locations including Thailand), and burn pit presumptive expansions. There are other benefits as well that will come with an award of service connection, such as added eligibility for education and life insurance. Ongoing training at MBVS ensures that all the Bureau’s VSO’s and Veterans Services Assistants are up to speed on these changes.

For more information, go to the VA’s website, The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits - https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ or contact MBVS at www.maine.gov/veterans, (207) 287-9933, or mailvsome@va.gov.

About Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services was established in 1947 by the State of Maine and is part of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management. Our mission is to help Mainers who served, and their loved ones, understand and navigate the benefits, services, and programs available to them. The Bureau does this by being a responsive, experienced, and dedicated advocate. The Bureau is headquartered at Camp Keyes and has seven field service offices located throughout the state and a claims office located at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus, Maine. The Bureau also operates the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System which includes four veterans’ cemeteries. For more information about the Bureau or to request assistance, please visit our website at www.maine.gov/veterans.