The PACT Act
The PACT Act, short for The Sergeant First Class Health Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, is a bill signed into law on August 10, 2022, that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. More specifically, the bill:
Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
Adds presumptive conditions for exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation exposure
Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
Toxic exposure-related education and training for VA health care staff and claims processors
Requires research studies on the mortality of Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War; Post/9-11 Veteran health trends; and cancer rates.
Authorizes 31 new VA facilities across the country, providing greater access to VA health care
Implements the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, enabling reparations for military families and civilians who lived and worked on base and drank toxic water
Established a Toxic Exposure Fund, which Increases funding for healthcare associated with exposure to environmental hazards in service
Establishes a toxic exposure working group consisting of VHA and VBA personnel
Who is covered?
PACT Act Eligible Service Location Map
Gulf War Era and Post-9/11 Eligibility
If you served on the ground, in the airspace above, in territorial waters, or a ship that called to the following areas:
On or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations:
Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The airspace above any of these locations
On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations:
Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen
The airspace above any of these locations
Presumptive Conditions
To receive a disability rating, your disability must be connected to your military service. This usually requires proof that your service caused your condition. When a presumption is established, the VA has conceded that your service caused your condition if you meet the time and location requirements.
These illnesses are now presumptive:
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
These cancers are now presumptive:
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer of any type
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
VA Health Care
If you meet the requirements listed above, you can get free VA health care for any condition related to your service. The PACT Act expands the period for veterans to enroll in VA health care to within 10 years of their discharge date, instead of 5.
Vietnam era Veteran Eligibility
The PACT Act added 5 new locations to the list of Agent Orange presumptive locations:
Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977
New Presumptive Conditions
High blood pressure (also called hypertension)
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
View all Agent Orange presumptive conditions
Radiation Exposure Eligibility
If you were called to respond to one of the listed cleanup and response missions below, you may be eligible for radiation exposure presumptives under the PACT Act.
Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (Januar 1, 1977-December 31, 1980)
Cleanup of the Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons off the coast of Palomares, Spain (January 17, 1966-March 31, 1967)
Response to the fire onboard an Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons near Thule Air Force Base in Greenland (January 21, 1968-September 25, 1968)
View all radiation presumptive locations
VA Health Care
If you served on active duty in any of these locations during these time periods, you’re now eligible to apply for VA health care:
The Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975
Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976
Laos between December 1, 1965, and September 30, 1969
Certain provinces in Cambodia between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969
Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980
Johnston Atoll (or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll) between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977
Filing Claims
Veterans that meet the service requirements can file a claim for the new presumptive conditions:
New Claim - Veteran has never filed for the presumptive condition
Supplemental Claim - the presumptive condition was previously denied but is now considered to be presumptive
A VA-accredited representative can help you understand and apply for any VA benefits you may be entitled to including: compensation, education, Veteran readiness and employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits. A VA-accredited representative may also help you request further review of, or appeal, an adverse VA decision regarding benefits. VA-recognized Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and their representatives, always provide their services on benefit claims free-of-charge.
Other Affected Veterans and Survivors
Under the PACT Act, survivors may be eligible for VA benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Burial Benefits, even if the VA had previously denied a claim.
Click here to learn more about the PACT Act.