Veterans Services in Yakima

PACT Act

In August 2022, Congress passed the PACT Act which expanded the presumptive illnesses eligible for disability claims through the Veterans Benefits Administration. The PACT Act includes:

• 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.

How to enroll in VA Health Care

To check your eligibility, visit the VA Health Care eligibility website and follow directions outlined on the page.

You will also need a copy of your DD214 to enroll in VA Health Care, which is an official certificate of discharge from military service. Request your military service records (including the DD214) on the VA website.

To contact the Walla Walla Veterans Affairs eligibility department by phone, call 509-525-5200, option 4.

How to apply for VA disability benefits

Knowing what veterans disability to apply for based on your medical history and how to apply in the most effective way can be daunting. Thankfully, Veteran Service Officers are available to help. Their roles are government funded and free to veterans.

If you’d like to self-file without the expertise of a Veteran Service Officer, the VA offers additional information on how to file a VA disability claim.

Please note: Some commercial businesses charge hefty fees to help fill out disability benefit paperwork. However, paying these fees is not necessary if you access help through a Veteran Service Officer or opt to self-file.

How to request a copy of your DD214

There are a number of places that DD214 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 DD214 copy register for a va.gov account account which may include your DD214 in your personnel file. Having this account has the added benefit of allowing you to learn about your eligibility benefits beyond medical.
• National archives: If your DD214 was never scanned into the military personnel database, your next best option is to request a copy online through the U.S. National Archives military service record request.

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 for other Methods to obtain your military service records page.

Veteran crisis line

Call 988, option 1 or visit the veteran crisis line website.

There is a national hotline established for veterans who are in crisis. The veteran crisis line provides help for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.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.