Veterans Affairs expands healthcare eligibility to millions of veterans [Video]

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that veterans exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service will be eligible for VA healthcare starting March 5.

VA officials said all veterans of the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any conflict post 9/11 will be eligible for VA healthcare without needing to apply for VA benefits. Veterans who didn’t deploy but may have encountered toxins or other hazards during training will also be eligible.

This new policy gives veterans access to VA health care as much as eight years earlier than the PACT Act guaranteed.

“If you’re a Veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, at home or abroad, we want you to come to us for the healthcare you deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA is proven …