New PACT Act may provide benefits to survivors of military veterans

Linda Mallon, a retired Army master sgt., found her niche working with veterans and their families in Granbury. She is a former claims administrator for Blue Shield of New Jersey and later senior personnel sergeant taking care of soldiers’ careers for more than 20 years.

The Department of Veterans affairs has already begun its campaign to notify surviving spouses by letter that they may be entitled to Dependent Indemnity Compensation because of expanded criteria for areas of exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic conditions that may have contributed to the veteran’s death under the new PACT Act.

If a surviving spouse filed a claim for DIC in the past and was denied, we can reopen that claim for reconsideration under the new law.  We can also file initial claims for those surviving spouses who never filed for DIC before.

If you are a surviving spouse and you believe the veteran’s cause of death may be related to toxic exposure during service, please contact my office to review your case. If approved, the surviving spouse would be entitled to a monthly compensation, CHAMPVA health coverage, Title 35 education benefits and an ID card allowing access to Commissary and PX privileges.

The Department of Defense finally lifted the unlawful COVID mandate forcing our military service members to participate in a clinical trial by taking the Emergency Use Authorized experimental COVID shot the CDC has acknowledged does not prevent the spread of COVID: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html  and has potential side effects that could have an impact on health in the short and long term https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html .

Not all individuals will experience side effects, however if a service member suffered lasting adverse reactions to the COVID shot while on active duty or shortly after discharge from the military they should file a claim for disability compensation.  I strongly suggest following Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin who conducted two very informative round table discussions last year regarding COVID shot safety and efficacy on his webpage here: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2022/12/sen-ron-johnson-hears-from-experts-and-medical-professionals-on-covid-19-vaccine-efficacy-and-safety .

The new Texas State Benefits booklets are here, so stop by our office and pick one up.  We still have the Vietnam War 50 Year Commemorative Book with DVD for Vietnam veterans who would like one.  It’s a beautiful book and we’ve gotten very positive reviews from our veterans who received them.  If you’re visiting the historic courthouse, check out our bulletin board right outside my office for relevant updates, important contacts, resources and job fair information. 

lmallon@co.hood.tx.us I 817-579-3292