The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in partnership with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, will host a free outreach event on July 24 to help Veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses access disability benefits and health care available under the PACT Act.
The event, titled “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing VA Benefits Home,” is designed to identify Veterans and survivors across Oklahoma who may have presumptive disabilities related to military service and assist them in filing claims for VA disability compensation, pension benefits, and health care enrollment. It will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the R.E.S.P.E.C.T Gymnasium, 220 East Black Kettle Blvd., Concho, Oklahoma 73022. Lunch will be provided, and attendance is free.
Veteran Service Officers will be available throughout the day to guide attendees through the VA disability claims process and assist with completing the necessary paperwork. In select cases, onsite Compensation and Pension examinations will also be offered to support disability claims. While these examinations cannot be provided for every applicant, VA officials said they will be made available whenever possible.
The event will also feature toxic exposure screenings conducted by VA health care representatives, helping Veterans determine whether they may qualify for expanded benefits under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. Staff will also assist eligible Veterans with enrollment in VA health care programs and replace expired VA identification cards.
Representatives from the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, Muskogee VA Regional Office, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, local Vet Centers, Tribal and Indian Health Service programs, Tribal Veteran Service Officers, and nonprofit organizations will be available to answer questions and provide information on available services and resources.
The outreach initiative places a strong emphasis on helping Veterans understand whether they qualify for benefits tied to presumptive disabilities. A presumptive disability is a medical condition that the VA recognizes as being connected to military service, even if it develops after a Veteran has been discharged. Veterans diagnosed with qualifying conditions may be eligible for disability compensation without having to establish a direct service connection.
Spouses and surviving spouses are also encouraged to attend the event. Those whose loved ones died from a presumptive service-connected condition may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. VA representatives will be available to explain eligibility requirements and assist survivors with filing benefit claims.
The PACT Act, signed into law in 2022, expanded VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances during military service. The legislation also broadened access to benefits for eligible survivors, allowing more Veterans and their families to receive the care and financial support they have earned.
To help streamline the claims process, VA officials encourage attendees to bring supporting documentation if available. Recommended records include medical reports from physicians or hospitals, military documents relevant to the claimed disability, discharge or separation papers such as a DD-214, and family records including marriage certificates, death certificates, and children’s birth certificates for survivor claims.
The Concho event is part of the VA’s broader nationwide outreach campaign throughout 2026. Working alongside more than 30 Tribal communities, the agency continues to expand access to enrollment and disability claims assistance for Veterans who may not have previously applied for benefits. By bringing these services directly into local communities, the VA aims to improve awareness of available programs and ensure Veterans, their spouses, and surviving family members receive the support and benefits they are entitled to under federal law.
