Veteran services

PACT Act

Congress passed the PACT act in August of 2022. It greatly expands the presumptive illnesses eligible for disability claims through the Veterans Benefits Administration.

• More presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation for Vietnam-era veterans.
• New presumptive conditions for burn pits and toxic exposures for Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans.
• Expands eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposure from those eras.

If you’d like more information on the PACT act, the Veterans Affairs administration now has a dedicated web page to file a claim or to apply for VA health care.

Enroll in VA Healthcare

There are a few different ways to enroll in VA Healthcare.

• You will need a copy of your DD-214 to enroll in VA Healthcare. The DD-214 is a certificate of discharge from military service. If you need a copy, see “Obtain your DD-214” below.
• The best way to check your eligibility and enroll in VA Healthcare is to visit the VA eligibility website and follow the directions.
• To contact the Walla Walla VA eligibility department by phone, call 509-525-5200 and then press the number for “Eligibility” (which is currently 4).

Apply for VA Disability Benefits

Knowing what disability to apply for based on your medical history, and how to apply in the most effective way can seem daunting. Fortunately, there’s help! That help is from “Veteran Service Officers” (VSO) who are government funded and free to the veteran.

PLEASE be aware that there are commercial businesses that charge very large fees to help fill out this same paperwork, and paying those fees is not necessary if you use a VSO or self-file.

If you’d like to self-file, without the expertise of a trained VSO, the VA has a “How to file a VA disability claim” website.

Obtain a DD-214

There are a number of places that DD-214 certificates are stored, and therefore a number of different ways to request a copy.

• Post 9-11 Veterans: If your DD214 exists in the military personnel database, the best way to receive a DD-214 copy is to register for a VA.gov account which might have your DD-214 under your personnel file. Having this account has the added benefit of allowing you to learn about your specific eligibility for benefits other than medical benefits.
• National Archives: If your DD-214 was never scanned into the military personnel database, your next best option is to request a copy through the US National Archives, military service record request page.
• If your DD-214 does not exist in either the military personnel database or the national archives, it’s possible that county or state records can prove your service. Please see the national archives “Other Methods to Obtain Military Service Records” page.

Veteran Crisis Line

Serving Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members and those who support them

There is a national hotline established for veterans who are in crisis. This can include anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, anger, processing difficult memories, thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, or other things. Reaching out is free, confidential and you can remain anonymous if you wish.

Call 988 (and press 1) or visit their website.

Regional Resources

For more information about resources available in your community, select your location from the list below:

• Yakima