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| PACT Act Adds New Presumptive Conditions for Veterans
On August 2, 2022, Congress passed the PACT Act which added 20+ new presumptive conditions for Gulf War Veterans and for Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.
Specifically, the new presumptive conditions include:
Hypertension Secondary to Agent Orange Exposure
COPD, ILD, Lung Fibrosis Secondary to Gulf War/Burn Pits
Sinusitis/Rhinitis Secondary to Gulf War/Burn Pits.
Multiple cancers were also added as presumptive relative to the Gulf War. The link to the PACT act is below and take note of specific locations and dates applicable to Gulf War additions.*
Read about the PCAT Act Here
Cancers Now Presumptive to Gulf War: *
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Possible Secondary Conditions based on New PACT Presumptive Conditions
The new presumptive conditions added through the PACT ACT also indirectly add numerous well-supported secondary connections. In this Newsletter, we will address Hypertension.
MedConnectVA will soon be releasing more newsletters on Secondary Connections for additional PACT Act presumptive conditions. |
| | Conditions Secondary to Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)It has been well established in medical literature that chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage the body for years causing multiple illnesses, severe disability, poor quality of life, or even death.
High blood pressure damages cells of the arteries' inner lining. Over time, this damage can lead to the following secondary conditions:
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) / Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Damage in the inner walls of the coronary vessels promotes coronary obstruction, which can lead to ischemia due to decreased blood supply to the heart tissue, and myocardial infarction (MI).
Cerebrovascular Accidents (Strokes): By the same mechanisms as with CAD, hypertension can increase the risk for obstruction of blood vessels in the brain (ischemic strokes). Also, due to uncontrolled blood pressure, small blood vessels can break and lead to hemorrhagic strokes.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for chronic kidney disease. When blood vessels in the kidneys are affected, the kidneys begin to fail and are unable to effectively filter fluid and waste from the blood.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): The strain on the heart caused by high blood pressure can cause the heart muscle to weaken and work less efficiently, leading to decreased cardiac function.
Aneurysms: The constant pressure of blood moving through a weakened artery can cause a section of its wall to enlarge and form a bulge (aneurysm). An aneurysm can potentially rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
The deteriorating long-term effects of hypertension have been extensively addressed in medical studies. Given that the VA has conceded that veterans exposed to Agent Orange are entitled to service connection for hypertension, it is important for advocates to consider these secondary connections for new claims, as well as for veterans where hypertension has already been service-connected.
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| | Please feel free to call or email me anytime if we can assist your efforts with a Veteran Nexus Opinion.
Best Regards,
Suzanne Caruso Director, Case Management Direct Line: 203-414-3007
Phone: 888-4VA-DOCS |
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