The PACT Act
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. The Act first expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era, and also expands eligibility for benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances.
The Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era, and expands eligibility for benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances.
What new or expanded presumptions will the Act
create and when will they be in effect?
Veterans and survivors can file claims for all conditions
outlined in the pact act immediately.
For Gulf War and post 9-11 Veterans, that includes:
- Brain Cancer
- Glioblastoma
- Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
- Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
- Head cancer of any type
- Lymphoma of any type
- Neck cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Reproductive cancer of any type
- Kidney cancer
- Melanoma
- Asthma (diagnosed after service)
- Chronic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
- Granulomatous disease
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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The Expanded Presumptive Cancers List
For Vietnam Veterans and
other Veterans exposed
to tactical herbicides, that
includes two Agent Orange
presumptive conditions:
Monoclonal gammopathy of
undetermined significance (MGUS)
High blood pressure (hypertension).
How can Veterans apply for VA health care?
Apply online at VA.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction.
Call the toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387
M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET.
Mail a completed, signed Application for Health Benefits
(VA Form 10-10EZ).
Bring a completed, signed VA Form 10-10EZ with you to
your nearest medical center or clinic or get help through your
state’s Department of Veterans Affairs Service Officer.
Get help filing your claim by working with an
accredited representative.
What are the PACT Act key components?
The Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic-exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era.
VA will improve the decision-making process for determining what medical conditions will be considered for presumptive status.
Every enrolled Veteran will receive an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up screening every five years. Veterans who are not enrolled, but who are eligible to enroll, will have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening.
VA health care staff and claims processors will receive toxic exposure-related education and training.
The Act requires research studies on mortality of Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, Post-9/11 Veteran health trends, and Veteran cancer rates.
The Act will help VA build a stronger, more skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for benefits and services.
The Act authorizes 31 new medical facilities across the country, providing greater access to VA health care.
How can a Veteran file a claim?
Veterans who would like to file a claim must complete VA Form 21-526EZ to apply for benefits and submit any supportive evidence.
To learn about standard VA disability claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more visit: VA.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file.
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PACT Act Presumptive
Condition Diagnostic Codes
If a Veteran was previously denied a claim, what can they do?
VA will contact Veterans when a presumption of service connection is established or changed. However, Veterans previously denied a toxic-exposure related claim are encouraged to file a supplemental claim. Once a supplemental claim is received, VA will review the claim under the new law.
Sign up for the Burn Pit Registries
Learn more and sign up at VA.gov/PACT
Download the VA Health and Benefits App
Call at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
Find a VA at VA.gov/find-locations/
