VA Butler Healthcare said veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards are now eligible for health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs without first applying for VA benefits.

Veterans deployed and those who were never deployed are eligible to directly enroll for VA health care due to an expansion of the PACT Act authorized by President Joe Biden.

The expansion eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act and makes millions of veterans eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than was written into law, according to the VA.

All veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 are eligible to enroll. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States also are eligible, according to the VA.

Veterans can visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care. Since Biden signed the PACT Act on Aug. 10, 2022, more than 15,994 Pennsylvania veterans have enrolled in VA health care, according to the VA.