VSO Berger Wins Surviving Spouse PACT Act Benefits

A Missouri veteran served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was exposed to burn pits. He developed a rare form of cancer in 2015 but was denied service-connected benefits. The veteran suffered until 2019, when he passed at age 32 and left behind his wife and two minor children. The family lost their home due to medical bills and was denied aid by 12 other organizations.

The veteran’s wife eventually learned about the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act and reached out to VSO Katrina Berger for assistance. Berger filed a claim on her behalf, and VA granted service connection for the veteran’s cancer and death in October 2023. The surviving spouse will now receive Dependency and Indemnity (DIC) compensation, and her children will receive education assistance.

The surviving spouse refers to Berger as “her angel” and places pennies on her husband’s grave in the VSO’s name.