PACT Act — Toxic Exposure Benefits for Veterans

Q: Do I need medical proof that burn pits caused my cancer?

No. Under the PACT Act, the VA presumes that certain cancers are service-connected for veterans who served in covered locations with burn pit exposure. You no longer need to prove a direct medical link between your cancer and the burn pits — the presumption does that work for you. You do need to show that you served in a covered location and have a qualifying diagnosis.

Q: My family member lived at Camp Lejeune — do they qualify?

Yes. This is unique to Camp Lejeune: family members (spouses, children) who lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may be eligible for VA healthcare and reimbursement for treatment costs related to one of the 15 presumptive conditions. This is different from other toxic exposure programs, which generally cover only veterans.

Q: What cancers are covered under the PACT Act?

The PACT Act created a presumption for any cancer diagnosed in veterans who served in covered locations with burn pit or airborne hazard exposure. This includes but is not limited to: all respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, trachea), head and neck cancers, glioblastoma, melanoma, reproductive cancers, lymphomas, leukemias, and 23 specifically named rare cancers. The key is having served in a covered location — if you have any cancer diagnosis and served in a post-9/11 combat zone, file a claim immediately.

⚠ Important Notice for All Veterans

The PACT Act (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) was signed August 10, 2022. If you were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, or other toxics during service, you may now qualify for VA disability benefits — even if previously denied. Millions of veterans are newly eligible. Read this guide to find out if you're one of them.

Overview

What the PACT Act Does

Signed into law in August 2022, the PACT Act is the most significant expansion of VA benefits in the past 30 years. It fundamentally changes how the VA handles toxic exposure claims — removing the requirement for veterans to prove their conditions were caused by specific toxic substances.

Key Changes

Presumptive Conditions The VA now presumes certain conditions are service-connected for veterans with toxic exposure history. You no longer need to prove the connection — exposure + diagnosis = presumed service connection.
Expanded Healthcare Eligibility More veterans now qualify for VA healthcare based on toxic exposure history, regardless of disability rating.
Retroactive Benefits Veterans previously denied for toxic exposure conditions may file supplemental claims. Benefits may be backdated to the original claim date.
Broader Coverage Covered exposures include: burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, contaminated water (Camp Lejeune), airborne hazards, chemical weapons, and PFAS.

Section 2

🔥 Burn Pit Exposure (Post-9/11 Veterans)

Open-air burn pits were used throughout U.S. military operations to dispose of waste — including ammunition, chemicals, human waste, medical materials, and more. Millions of veterans were exposed to toxic smoke with no protection. The PACT Act finally provides recognition and benefits for the resulting health consequences.

Who Is Covered

Veterans who served in:

Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uzbekistan (2001–present)
Vietnam-era burn pit locations
Any location where burn pits were documented

Presumptive Conditions

Any cancer diagnosed after service in covered location
Constrictive bronchiolitis
Constrictive pericarditis
Respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, trachea, head/neck)
Glioblastoma
Melanoma
23 additional rare cancers

Burn Pit Registry: Register with the VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to document your exposure. Visit va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/airborne-hazards-open-burn-pit-registry/

Section 3

🌿 Agent Orange Exposure

Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide used during the Vietnam War. Exposure has been linked to dozens of serious conditions. The PACT Act significantly expanded who qualifies for Agent Orange presumptives, adding new locations and veteran groups.

Who Is Covered (Expanded Under PACT Act)

Vietnam veterans (service in Vietnam, its waters, or Thailand between 1962–1975)
Korean DMZ veterans (served between September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971)
C-123 aircraft crews (served in affected aircraft between 1969–1986)
NEW under PACT Act: Veterans who served in certain locations in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll
Blue Water Navy veterans who served offshore Vietnam — now covered

Presumptive Conditions for Agent Orange

AL Amyloidosis Chloracne Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Hodgkin's Disease Ischemic Heart Disease Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Parkinson's Disease Peripheral Neuropathy Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Section 4

💧 Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

Between 1953 and 1987, the water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River in North Carolina was contaminated with volatile organic compounds including TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride — all known carcinogens. The PACT Act expanded eligibility and created presumptive conditions for those who lived or worked there.

Who Is Covered

Veterans, service members, and family members who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987.

Unique benefit: Family members who lived on base may qualify for VA healthcare and reimbursement for treatment costs — this is not available for other toxic exposure programs.

Presumptive Conditions

Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Esophageal Cancer Female Infertility Hepatic Steatosis Kidney Cancer Leukemia Lung Cancer Miscarriage Multiple Myeloma Myelodysplastic Syndromes Neurobehavioral Effects Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Renal Toxicity Scleroderma

Section 5

☢️ Radiation Exposure

Certain veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation during military service — from nuclear weapons testing, occupation of atomic bomb sites, or nuclear accident cleanup. The VA recognizes a comprehensive list of radiation-related cancers as presumptive conditions.

Who Is Covered

Atomic veterans present at nuclear weapons tests
Veterans who occupied Hiroshima or Nagasaki after WWII
Veterans exposed during nuclear weapon development (DOE facilities)
Veterans who cleaned up nuclear accidents (Palomares, Spain 1966; Thule, Greenland 1968)

Presumptive Conditions

The VA covers an extensive list of cancers under radiation exposure presumptive policy, including leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic), lymphomas, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pharynx cancer, small intestine cancer, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, urinary tract cancers, salivary gland tumors, and multiple myeloma.

Interactive Tool

PACT Act Eligibility Checker

Check the boxes that apply to your service history. We'll tell you if you may qualify for expanded benefits.

I served in a Post-9/11 combat zone (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc.) I was near burn pits during my service I served in Vietnam or its waters (1962–1975) I served on the Korean DMZ (1967–1971) I lived or worked at Camp Lejeune (1953–1987) I was present at nuclear weapons tests or nuclear accident cleanup I was exposed to herbicides (Agent Orange, etc.) during service I've been diagnosed with cancer after my military service I have respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, breathing difficulties)

Your Results

→ Next step: Use our AI claim tool to identify your specific PACT Act claims and build your case.

Section 7

⚖️ What To Do If You Were Previously Denied

If the VA denied your disability claim for a toxic exposure condition before August 2022, that denial does not stand. The PACT Act changed the rules — and veterans who were wrongly denied deserve their benefits.

Supplemental Claim Process

File VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim) This is the form for requesting review based on new and relevant evidence. Available at va.gov or your regional VA office.
Check the "New and Relevant Evidence" Box The PACT Act itself constitutes new and relevant evidence — cite it explicitly in your claim.
VA Must Retroactively Apply PACT Act Presumptives The VA is legally required to review your prior denial under the new PACT Act standards.
Benefits May Be Backdated In some cases, benefits can be backdated to your original claim date — meaning you may receive back pay going years into the past.

🚨 Critical — Do Not Delay

Many veterans who were denied before August 2022 now qualify under the PACT Act. File a supplemental claim as soon as possible. The VA is processing millions of new claims — earlier filings generally receive earlier decisions and earlier back pay start dates.

Section 8

🏥 PACT Act Healthcare Expansion

Even if you don't currently have a disability claim, the PACT Act may entitle you to VA healthcare. Healthcare enrollment is separate from disability compensation — you can enroll without filing a claim.

Post-9/11 Veterans

Post-9/11 combat veterans are now eligible for VA healthcare for 10 years after discharge — up from 5 years previously. If you were discharged within the last decade and haven't enrolled, do it now.

All Eras

Toxic-exposed veterans of any era can now enroll in VA healthcare at Priority Group 6 or higher, regardless of income or disability rating.

Free VA healthcare enrollment: va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/ — takes about 30 minutes online. There is no fee to apply.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions veterans have about PACT Act claims.

I was denied a burn pit claim before 2022 — can I reapply under the PACT Act? +

Yes. If you were denied a disability claim related to burn pit exposure or another toxic exposure condition before August 10, 2022, you can file a supplemental claim (VA Form 20-0995). The PACT Act itself constitutes new and relevant evidence. The VA must now retroactively apply PACT Act presumptive conditions, and benefits may be backdated to your original claim date in some cases. Do not let a previous denial stop you — the rules have fundamentally changed.

Do I need medical proof that burn pits caused my cancer? +

No. Under the PACT Act, the VA presumes that certain cancers are service-connected for veterans who served in covered locations with burn pit exposure. You no longer need to prove a direct medical link between your cancer and the burn pits. You need to show that you served in a covered location and have a qualifying diagnosis — the presumption does the rest.

My family member lived at Camp Lejeune — do they qualify? +

Yes. This is unique to Camp Lejeune: family members (spouses, children) who lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may be eligible for VA healthcare and reimbursement for treatment costs related to one of the 15 presumptive conditions. This benefit is not available for family members under other toxic exposure programs.

How do I prove I was near a burn pit? +

You can prove burn pit proximity through several methods: (1) Register with the VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry at va.gov; (2) Obtain military service records showing your deployment location; (3) Submit buddy statements from fellow service members; (4) The VA has records of known burn pit locations — if your duty station is on that list, it may be sufficient. You do not need to have personally documented the burn pit during your service.

What cancers are covered under the PACT Act? +

The PACT Act created a presumption for any cancer diagnosed in veterans who served in covered locations with burn pit or airborne hazard exposure. This includes all respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, trachea), head and neck cancers, glioblastoma, melanoma, reproductive cancers, lymphomas, leukemias, and 23 specifically named rare cancers. The key is having served in a covered location — if you have any cancer diagnosis and served in a post-9/11 combat zone, file a claim immediately.

Not Sure If Your Condition Qualifies?

Our AI can review your service history and identify potential PACT Act claims — including exposures you may not have connected to your current conditions.

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