The Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will host a free PACT Act disability claims and health care outreach event in Okmulgee on Thursday, September 17, aimed at helping Veterans and surviving spouses identify potential benefits and receive assistance with disability claims.
The event, titled “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing VA Benefits Home,” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Claude Cox Omniplex, 200 Preston Road in Okmulgee. All Veterans, their spouses and surviving spouses of Veterans are invited to attend, and lunch will be provided at no cost.
Veterans Can Receive Disability Claims Assistance
Veteran Service Officers will be available during the event to help attendees complete VA disability claim paperwork and better understand benefits for which they may qualify.
The event will place particular emphasis on Veterans who may have presumptive disabilities related to their military service. A presumptive disability is a condition the VA considers connected to qualifying military service even when the condition develops after a Veteran has left active duty.
Eligible conditions may qualify Veterans for disability compensation and other benefits.
VA staff will also conduct toxic exposure screenings and provide assistance with VA health care enrollment. Veterans who have expired VA identification cards will be able to receive help obtaining replacement cards.
The outreach effort is also intended to assist surviving family members. Spouses and widows are encouraged to attend because they may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if a Veteran died from a qualifying presumptive condition.
PACT Act Expanded Benefits for Veterans
The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, commonly known as the PACT Act, expanded VA health care and benefits for Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances during their military service.
The legislation broadened eligibility for VA benefits and established additional presumptive conditions associated with certain types of military service and toxic exposure.
The law is intended to provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with access to health care and benefits connected to qualifying service-related exposures.
The Okmulgee event is designed to bring those services directly to Veterans and families who may not previously have applied for benefits or who remain uncertain about their eligibility.
Multiple Veterans Organizations to Participate
Representatives from several federal, state, Tribal and community organizations will be available to provide information and answer questions.
Participating organizations will include the Eastern Oklahoma VA Medical Center, Muskogee VA Regional Office, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and local Vet Centers.
Representatives from Tribal and Indian Health Service programs, Tribal Veteran Service Officers and various nonprofit and community organizations are also expected to participate.
VA health care representatives will provide toxic exposure screenings and assist Veterans interested in enrolling in VA health care.
Bringing multiple organizations together at one location is intended to make it easier for Veterans and their families to receive information about claims, health care services and other available resources.
Veterans Encouraged to Bring Supporting Documents
Veterans who have relevant documentation available are encouraged to bring it with them to help representatives process or prepare their claims.
Useful documents include medical records or other medical evidence, such as reports from doctors or hospitals. Veterans may also bring historical or military documents related to the disability they are claiming.
Discharge or separation papers, including a DD-214 or equivalent documentation, should also be brought when available.
Widows and dependents seeking assistance are encouraged to bring applicable records, including marriage certificates, death certificates and children’s birth certificates.
Having these documents available may allow Veteran Service Officers to more efficiently evaluate potential claims and assist attendees with required paperwork.
VA Continues Outreach With Tribal Communities
Throughout 2026, the VA is continuing a nationwide outreach campaign that includes enrollment and claims events conducted in partnership with more than 30 Tribal communities.
The initiative is intended to reach Veterans, spouses and widows who may not previously have accessed VA services or fully understood the benefits available to them.
The Okmulgee event will provide an opportunity for Veterans and their families to speak directly with VA representatives, Veteran Service Officers, Tribal programs and community organizations about disability claims, toxic exposure screenings, health care enrollment and survivor benefits.
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