PACT Act – Intent To File

We want to make sure you are aware of an important deadline approaching under the PACT Act. Our goal is to inform Veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned. This communication is part of a national effort to spread this information widely. To find out more and see if this applies to you, we invite you to take this self-assessment.

If you have already completed a similar assessment or talked to a legal representative, this may not apply to you.

Additional information

The PACT Act has made it easier for Veterans who served in various areas and during certain time periods to obtain service connection for a disability. The good news is that the VA will automatically consider eligibility under the PACT Act for any claims and appeals that are already pending. You don’t need to submit additional claims for disabilities if you or your representative have already been pursuing eligibility under the PACT Act.

Filing VA Form 21-0966, also known as an “Intent to File,” to the VA by August 9, 2023, ensures eligibility for the earliest possible effective date of August 10, 2022. The “Intent to File” preserves this effective date until you decide to file a disability claim on VA Form 21-526EZ, which must be submitted by August 9, 2024, or within one year of submitting your “Intent to File.” 

If you are currently represented by Berry Law, please note that if you have already discussed this with your representative or have taken the client assessment sent in the official client email, there is nothing more you need to do in response to this communication. If you are currently represented by Berry Law or have other legal representation regarding your VA matter, we encourage you to first contact your legal representative before submitting anything to the VA on your own. Doing so could impact the outcome of your claim. If you have any questions or if you are unsure if a VA Form 21-0966 is needed, please speak with your legal representative.

The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.