PACT Act Benefits: What Every Veteran Needs to Know in 2026

What is the PACT Act?

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is the largest expansion of VA healthcare and benefits in over 30 years. Signed into law on August 10, 2022, it fundamentally changes how the VA handles toxic exposure claims for veterans who served in:

• Vietnam and the Vietnam Era
• The Gulf War
• Post-9/11 conflicts (Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations)

Who Qualifies for PACT Act Benefits?

You may be eligible for PACT Act benefits if you served in any of the following locations during the specified time periods:

Gulf War Era Veterans (August 2, 1990 - Present)

If you served in any of these locations on or after August 2, 1990:

• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates
• Somalia
• Airspace above these locations

Post-9/11 Veterans (September 11, 2001 - Present)

If you served in any of these locations on or after September 11, 2001:

• Afghanistan
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Yemen
• Uzbekistan
• Airspace above these locations

Vietnam Era Veterans (Agent Orange)

The PACT Act expands Agent Orange presumptive locations to include:

• Thailand: Certain bases (January 9, 1962 - June 30, 1976)
• Laos: December 1, 1965 - September 30, 1969
• Cambodia: Mimot and Krek areas (April 16-30, 1969)
• Guam: January 9, 1962 - July 31, 1980
• American Samoa: January 9, 1962 - July 31, 1980
• Johnston Atoll: January 1, 1972 - September 30, 1977
• Certain Naval vessels in Vietnam territorial waters

Gulf War Veterans

Service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War era qualifies you for additional presumptive conditions, including undiagnosed illnesses and medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses.

Camp Lejeune Veterans (Water Contamination)

If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, you may be eligible for benefits related to water contamination exposure. Presumptive conditions include:

• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Parkinson's disease
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes

Complete List of PACT Act Presumptive Conditions

The PACT Act adds the following conditions as presumptive for toxic-exposed veterans. "Presumptive" means the VA assumes your condition is related to your service—you don't need to prove the connection.

Respiratory Conditions

• Asthma (diagnosed during or after service)
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis (including rhinosinusitis)
• Constrictive bronchiolitis
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pleuritis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Chronic bronchitis
• COPD
• Emphysema
• Granulomatous disease

Cancers

• Brain cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon)
• Head and neck cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lymphatic cancer
• Lymphoma (any type)
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Reproductive cancer (prostate, testicular, ovarian, breast)
• Respiratory cancer (lung, bronchus, trachea, larynx)
• Urinary cancer (bladder, urethra, ureter)

Other Conditions

• Glioblastoma
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) - for Agent Orange-exposed veterans
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

Recently Added Presumptive Conditions (2024-2026)

The VA continues to expand the list. Recent additions include:

• Male breast cancer
• Urethral cancer
• Cancer of the paraurethral glands

How to File a PACT Act Claim

Filing a PACT Act claim follows the standard VA disability claim process, but with simplified evidence requirements due to presumptive status.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

• DD-214: Proof of service in qualifying locations
• Medical Records: Current diagnosis of a presumptive condition
• Service Records: Deployment orders or other evidence of location
• Personal Statement: Description of your exposure and symptoms

Step 2: File Your Claim

You can file a PACT Act claim through:

1. VA.gov: File online at va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/
2. Mail: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ
3. In Person: Visit a VA regional office
4. VSO: Work with an accredited Veterans Service Organization

Step 3: Consider Working with a VSO

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) provide free assistance with VA claims. Accredited VSO representatives can:

• Help gather and organize your evidence
• Review your claim before submission
• Represent you throughout the claims process
• Appeal decisions on your behalf

Step 4: Attend C&P Exam

The VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension exam to evaluate your condition. For presumptive conditions, this exam focuses on current severity rather than proving service connection.

Step 5: Receive Decision

Decisions typically take 3-6 months, though complex cases may take longer.

Critical Deadlines and Enrollment Information

Expanded Healthcare Eligibility

The PACT Act dramatically expands VA healthcare eligibility. In early 2024, the VA accelerated the enrollment timeline, making millions of veterans eligible years earlier than originally planned.

Key changes:

• Veterans who served in toxic exposure locations can now enroll in VA healthcare regardless of when they separated from service
• The enrollment window has been extended from 5 years to 10 years after separation from military service
• Combat veterans now have enhanced eligibility for VA healthcare

Who Can Enroll Now

As of 2026, the following veterans are eligible for VA healthcare under the PACT Act:

• All toxic-exposed veterans who served in qualifying locations during specified time periods
• All combat veterans who served after November 11, 1998
• Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange
• Gulf War and Post-9/11 veterans with service in Southwest Asia or other qualifying locations

Intent to File: Protect Your Effective Date

If you plan to file a PACT Act disability claim but are not ready to submit a complete application, file an Intent to File (ITF) immediately. This preserves your effective date for up to one year, potentially meaning thousands of dollars in back pay if your claim is approved.

If You Were Previously Denied

The PACT Act creates new opportunities for veterans whose claims were previously denied. You may be able to:

File a Supplemental Claim

If you have a new presumptive condition or new evidence, file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995).

Request Higher-Level Review

If you believe your original decision was incorrect based on the evidence available, request a Higher-Level Review.

File a New Claim

For conditions now considered presumptive that weren't before, you can file a brand new claim.

Healthcare Enrollment vs. Disability Compensation

Understanding the difference is crucial:

VA Healthcare (Enrollment)

• What it is: Access to VA medical care, prescriptions, and services
• How to get it: Enroll through VA healthcare system
• Cost: Based on priority group; many toxic-exposed veterans qualify for free care
• PACT Act Impact: Expands who can enroll and what's covered

Disability Compensation

• What it is: Monthly tax-free payment for service-connected conditions
• How to get it: File a disability claim and receive a rating
• Amount: Based on disability rating (0-100%)
• PACT Act Impact: Makes it easier to get service connection through presumptive conditions

You can and should pursue both if you qualify.

State Benefits for Toxic Exposure Veterans

Beyond federal PACT Act benefits, many states offer additional support for veterans exposed to toxic substances:

• Property Tax Exemptions: Often enhanced for veterans with conditions related to toxic exposure
• Healthcare Supplements: Some states provide additional healthcare coverage
• State Bonus Programs: Several states offer payments to veterans who served in specific conflicts
• Educational Benefits: Enhanced education benefits for affected veterans and their families

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to prove I was exposed to burn pits?

No. If you served in a qualifying location during the specified time period, the VA presumes you were exposed. You do not need specific documentation of burn pit exposure, photographs, or statements from fellow service members. Your deployment records proving you were in a qualifying location are sufficient.

What if I already have a VA rating?

You can file for additional conditions under the PACT Act. Your existing rating will not be reduced---it can only increase if you are granted additional service connection for new conditions. Filing a PACT Act claim is completely separate from your existing rated conditions.

Can I receive PACT Act benefits if I received a less-than-honorable discharge?

It depends on the circumstances. Some veterans with other-than-honorable (OTH) discharges may still qualify for VA healthcare and benefits. The VA makes Character of Discharge determinations on a case-by-case basis. Consider:

• Applying for a discharge upgrade through your branch's Board for Correction of Military Records
• Requesting a Character of Discharge review from the VA
• Consulting with a VSO or veterans law attorney

How long will it take to process my claim?

PACT Act claims are generally processed within 3-6 months. Presumptive claims often process faster because you do not need to prove the service connection---only that you served in a qualifying location and have the diagnosed condition.

What if my condition isn't on the presumptive list?

You can still file a claim and attempt to establish service connection through other evidence. The presumptive list is not exclusive---it simply makes approval easier for listed conditions. For non-presumptive conditions, you will need to provide:

• A medical diagnosis
• Evidence linking your condition to service (nexus)
• Documentation of in-service events or exposures

Can family members receive PACT Act benefits?

Survivors of veterans who died from toxic exposure-related conditions may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The PACT Act expands survivor benefits for deaths related to presumptive conditions. Family members may also qualify for CHAMPVA healthcare coverage.

Take Action Now

The PACT Act represents the largest expansion of VA benefits in over 30 years. If you served in a toxic exposure location, you owe it to yourself and your family to explore what benefits you have earned. Here is what you should do today:

1. Check your eligibility based on your service locations and dates of service
2. File an Intent to File (ITF) immediately to protect your effective date---this takes only minutes at VA.gov
3. Enroll in VA healthcare even if you have private insurance or do not have a disability rating
4. Gather your documentation: DD-214, deployment orders, and current medical records for any conditions you want to claim
5. Consider working with a VSO for free assistance navigating the claims process
6. Explore state benefits that may supplement your federal PACT Act benefits

Your service put you in harm's way. The PACT Act exists because Congress recognized that toxic-exposed veterans deserve healthcare and compensation for conditions caused by their service. Do not leave these benefits on the table.

Last updated: February 2026. For the most current information, visit the official VA PACT Act page.