Question regarding PACT Act, sort of

[Susan Calvin]

So, according to the PACT Act, my low (nonexistent) thyroid and high blood pressure are presumed to be service related. Even though no one would call me disabled in any usual sense, my stepson, who *is* on disability, says I should apply anyway because even if they deem me 0% disabled they would still pay for my meds for those conditions. Okay, sounds reasonable.

Then I got to thinking whether dealing with the VA for those particular conditions, which are really the only things that are seriously wrong with me, knock on wood, might mess up my regular medical and prescription coverage in some way. I have Medicare and Tricare for Life, so I'm really fortunate with my current coverage and don't want to do anything that might have an adverse impact on that.

TIA.

[HAB911]

1. looking forward to responses to this

I just filed myself. The Pact Act presumes my year on the DMZ precipitated the prostate cancer by moving around in foliage covered in AO, and breathing smoke from the burning of that foliage. You wouldn't call me disabled either, but seems a pact should be a pact. We now "wait and monitor" the cancer to see if something else kills me first before either extraction or burn it up with a phaser, lol. VA has given me acknowledgement for receipt of the claim and expect some sort of ruling within 4 months. I didn't retire from the service but have good Medicare coverage.

[beemerphill]

2. File

Tricare for Life is the best insurance you will ever have. But, you should be on record as having these other conditions. If, in the future, something else develops from these, it will make your life much easier if you have them already on record.

[GP6971]

3. I'm guessing you're retired?

If you're happy with your current coverage keep it.

But I would apply for disability with the VA. If your state has a Veterans Affairs/Administration Dept they usually have advocates. If so, file your claim with them. If they accept your claim and issue a disability award (even 0%) you could be entitled to VA Health Care, but you don't have to take advantage of it.

You don't have anything to lose by applying.