Who it covers
Vietnam-era, Gulf War and post-9/11 Veterans, and their survivors, who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange or other toxic substances. It added many conditions the VA now presumes were caused by service, so you don’t have to prove the link.
What it added
- Burn pits and other airborne hazards: more than 20 conditions, including several cancers (such as brain, kidney, pancreatic, lymphoma and melanoma) and lung illnesses (such as COPD, emphysema and sarcoidosis). Covers service in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on or after August 2, 1990, and Afghanistan and certain other countries on or after September 11, 2001.
- Agent Orange: high blood pressure (hypertension) and MGUS were added, plus new locations including Thailand bases (1962–1976), Laos (1965–1969), certain provinces of Cambodia (April 1969), Guam and American Samoa (1962–1980), and Johnston Atoll (1972–1977).
- Radiation: cleanup and response at Enewetak Atoll (1977–1980), Palomares, Spain (1966–1967), and Thule, Greenland (1968).
Health care
Since March 5, 2024, Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements can enroll in VA health care without first applying for disability benefits if they served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or another combat zone after 9/11, or were exposed to toxins during training or active duty, even if never deployed.
Every Veteran enrolled in VA health care gets a toxic exposure screening, with a follow-up at least once every 5 years. Ask your care team about it. To apply for health care, call 877-222-8387 or apply online.
Filing a PACT Act claim
File a disability claim (VA Form 21-526EZ) as usual. If the VA denied a condition before and it’s now presumptive, file a Supplemental Claim. The VA says there is no deadline to file a PACT Act claim, but an intent to file protects your start date while you gather evidence.
Sources
Plain-language help from Veterans, not legal advice. Rules change; the official pages above are the final word. RateMyVA is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.