What is the PACT Act?

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022. It's the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades. It establishes presumptive service connection for cancers and other conditions in veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances, meaning you no longer have to prove your condition was caused by service.

What is a covered location under the PACT Act?

Covered locations include Southwest Asia (Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman), Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, the Philippines (Mindanao, after Jan 9, 2002), Somalia, Yemen, and the surrounding waters (Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman). Service in these locations on or after August 2, 1990 qualifies for burn pit/toxic exposure coverage.

Do I have to prove I was near a burn pit?

No. Under the PACT Act, if you served in a covered location during a covered period, the VA presumes you were exposed to toxic substances, including burn pit smoke. You do not need to provide evidence of actual exposure. This is the key change: the burden of proof shifted from the veteran to the VA.

What cancers are presumptive under the PACT Act?

The PACT Act lists over 20 specific cancer types as presumptive for covered veterans, including head, neck, respiratory, reproductive, urinary tract, gastrointestinal, melanoma, rare cancers, lymphatic and hematological malignancies (including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma), glioblastoma, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, mesothelioma, and soft-tissue sarcoma. If you have cancer and served in a covered location, you likely have a strong claim.

Burn Pit · Toxic Exposure · 2026

PACT Act Eligibility Checker

The PACT Act shifted the burden of proof from you to the VA. If you served in a covered location, you may no longer need to prove your condition was caused by service. Check your eligibility in under two minutes.

PACT Act key facts for veterans

Who qualifies for burn pit presumptive coverage?

To qualify, you must meet two criteria:

Served in a covered location on or after August 2, 1990, this includes Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, and the other locations listed in the checker above.
Have a covered condition, any of the cancer types or specific respiratory conditions listed above. The PACT Act is broad: essentially all cancer types qualify for veterans with covered service.

You do not need to prove you were near a specific burn pit. If you served in those locations, the VA presumes the exposure happened. Once service-connected, you can calculate your rating for a presumptive condition to see your estimated monthly compensation.

What if I wasn't diagnosed yet?

File a claim for toxic exposure now, even without a diagnosis. The VA will create a record of your service in a covered location. If you're later diagnosed with a covered condition, your effective date will be your original filing date, which means more back pay.

You can also request a PACT Act screening through your VA primary care provider.

What if I was previously denied?

If the VA denied a claim for a condition that now qualifies as presumptive under the PACT Act, you can refile. Previous denials don't count against you for conditions that are now presumptive. File a new claim or a Supplemental Claim citing the PACT Act expansion.

Common questions

Does the PACT Act apply to National Guard and Reserve members?

Yes, if you were activated under federal orders (Title 10) and served in a covered location. State-only activations (Title 32) may require additional documentation. If you served on federal orders during Gulf War era or post-9/11 deployments, you're covered.

What's the difference between a PACT Act presumptive claim and a nexus-based claim?

A nexus-based claim requires you to show your condition is directly connected to service (usually through a medical opinion). A presumptive claim skips that requirement, if you have the qualifying service and diagnosis, the connection is legally presumed. PACT Act claims are presumptive claims, which means they're generally stronger and faster to process.

Can I get a higher rating if my condition worsens?

Yes. Once your condition is service-connected (presumptive or otherwise), you can file for an increased rating if it worsens. Rating increases are not limited by how the connection was established.

Are there income limits for PACT Act benefits?

No income limits for disability compensation based on service-connected conditions. The amount you receive is based solely on your combined disability rating, not your income. (Note: VA pension, which is separate from compensation, does have income limits.)

PACT Act Eligibility Checker

PACT Act key facts for veterans

Who qualifies for burn pit presumptive coverage?

What if I wasn't diagnosed yet?

What if I was previously denied?

Common questions

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