The Muscogee Nation will host a joint event with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Sept. 18, a part of a disability presumptive conditions campaign. The event will focus on identifying and assisting veterans across south central Oklahoma who may have presumptive disabilities and be eligible for a VA pension claim.
The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 expanded VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances during their military service. This law helps VA provide generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
At the event, veteran service officers will be available on-site to assist with filling out VA disability claim paperwork and VA staff will review claims on-the-spot with the goal of same day approval.
In addition, benefit advisors will be available from the Muskogee VA Medical Center, Muskogee VA Regional Benefits Office, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, local veteran centers, Tribal and Indian Health Service programs and tribal veteran service officers. VA health care representatives will enroll veterans and provide toxin health screens.
A presumptive disability is a condition that VA presumes are related to military service, although the condition may first appear after discharge from the military. These conditions may qualify for VA compensation payments.
Widows are encouraged to attend this event as they may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation when a veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.
Throughout 2025, VA is continuing a nationwide campaign to increase outreach related to presumptive health conditions as a result of the PACT Act, rolling out Veteran disability enrollment claims events collaboratively with more than 30 tribal communities across the U.S. VA realizes this outreach effort could have a direct, tangible impact on the lives of thousands of previously unreached Veterans and their spouses.
“With the focus on Veterans with presumptive disabilities and those who are pension eligible, VA is hopeful we can help Indian Country Veterans access the full range of benefits they have courageously earned through their service,” said Stephanie Birdwell, VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations director.
If you have served in the military, in any capacity, and you are not sure if you are even eligible for any benefits, please come to the event and ask questions. Let us do the research for you and help you throughout the process.
Perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history, the PACT Act brings these changes:
• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures If you’re a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits. To
SEE BENEFITS CLAIMS EVENT, PAGE A4 learn more about the PACT Act, visit the PACT Act and VA benefits.
If available, veterans are asked to bring the following documents:
• Medical records/medical evidence (e.g., doctor or hospital diagnosis documents)
• Any documents that provide historical or military information needed for the disability you are claiming
• Discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent)
• Dependent records (e.g., marriage certificate, death certificate, children birth certificates) – PACT Act Presumptive Conditions Campaign Event
• Thursday, Sept. 18 • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Okemah Indian Community Center, 1112 S. Woodie Guthrie Street, Okemah
• Free to all veterans and their spouses/widows/ widowers; lunch will be provided
