Filing a VA Disability Claim-The PACT Act

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.


The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.


The PACT Act will bring these changes:

  • 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 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
  • Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
  • Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
  • Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call us at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now.
THE PACT ACT-VETERANS AFFAIRS Intent to File for the PACT Act (Burn Pits, Agent Orange, and other Toxins)

What does it mean to have a presumptive condition for toxic exposure?

To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition. But for some conditions, we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these “presumptive conditions.” We consider a condition presumptive when it's established by law or regulation.


If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

PACT Act Updates

In this Issue: 

Veterans,

If you know of any eligible Veterans that have not enrolled in VA Health Care or have not filed a claim with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) under the PACT Act, please share this information with Veterans that have not taken advantage of this opportunity to enroll in VA health care or file a claim. 

The PACT Act of 2022 expanded and extended eligibility for VA benefits for many Veterans, including those who were deployed or were in the airspace above certain countries (such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Somalia) or deployed in support of certain contingency operations (such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn).

PACT Act

The PACT Act of 2022 expanded and extended eligibility for VA benefits for many Veterans, including those who were deployed or were in the airspace above certain countries (such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Somalia) or deployed in support of certain contingency operations (such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn).

Did you serve on active duty in any of these locations during these time periods?

  1. The Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975
  2. Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976 
  3. Laos between December 1, 1965, and September 30, 1969
  4. Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969
  5. Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980
  6. Johnston Atoll(or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll) between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977
  7. Enewetak Atoll between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1980
  8. Palomares, Spain between January 17, 1966 and March 31, 1967
  9. Thule Air Force Base, Greenland between January 21 and September 25, 1968.

If so, you may be eligible for VA benefits or VA health care.

Find the full list of locations visit www.va.gov/PACT.

For more information on the PACT Act, scan the QR Code below. 

Apply for VA Health Care

To receive health care or benefits, you must apply. We encourage you to do so now, even if you have applied and been denied in the past.

Apply now for VA health care:

  1. Apply online at (https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/)
  2. Call VA toll-free at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
  3. Visit your nearest VA Medical Center (https://www.va.gov/find-locations)
  4. For Veterans in southern Arizona visit the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Register for Care Web Page (https://www.va.gov/southern-arizona-health-care/register-for-care/)

Submit your VA Claim Online

You may also submit a claim, or submit an intent to file a claim, for VA disability compensation benefits. If you file a disability compensation claim related to toxic exposure under the PACT Act before August 10, 2023, your benefits may be backdated to August 10, 2022. If you do not file a disability compensation claim before August 10, 2023, VA can only grant an award to the date of your application. However, you can file a disability compensation claim based on toxic exposure at any time.

  1. Submit a claim online, learn more at www.VA.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/
  2. Schedule an appointment with a benefits specialist at vets.force.com/VAVERA
  3. Visit your nearest VA benefits office (https://www.va.gov/find-locations)
  4. Call the VA benefits hotline at 1-800-827-1000.

For more information and to view a complete list of new presumptive conditions, please visit www.VA.gov/PACT.

You can also call 1-800-MyVA411 and speak to a customer service representative who can answer your questions and help you start the process.


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