PACT Act Explained: What Veterans Need to Know

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 — better known as the PACT Act — is the largest expansion of VA healthcare and benefits in decades. If you served after September 11, 2001, were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, or other toxic substances, this law directly affects you. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is the PACT Act?

Signed into law on August 10, 2022, the PACT Act is a landmark piece of legislation that expands VA healthcare eligibility and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service. It is named after Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, a combat medic from the Ohio Army National Guard who developed a rare form of lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure during his deployment to Iraq. He passed away in 2020 at age 39.

For years, veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other hazardous materials faced an uphill battle proving their illnesses were connected to their service. The PACT Act changed that by creating new presumptive conditions, meaning the VA now assumes certain diseases are related to specific toxic exposures — eliminating the burden of proof that previously stopped so many claims in their tracks.

What Did the PACT Act Change?

The PACT Act made several major changes that every veteran should understand:

Expanded VA Healthcare for Post-9/11 Veterans

All veterans who served in a combat zone after September 11, 2001, are now eligible for VA healthcare for a period of ten years after their separation date. Previously, this was limited to five years. For many veterans who had their eligibility expire under the old rules, the PACT Act reopened the door. If you were previously denied enrollment, you can reapply now.

Burn Pit Presumptive Conditions

The PACT Act added more than 20 new presumptive conditions related to burn pit and airborne hazard exposure. If you served in Southwest Asia, the Middle East, or certain other locations and develop one of these conditions, the VA presumes it is connected to your service. You no longer need to prove a direct link between your deployment and your illness. The presumptive conditions include various cancers (such as bladder cancer, head cancer of any type, body cancer of any type, lymphatic cancer, kidney cancer, and many others), respiratory illnesses (such as constrictive bronchiolitis and constrictive pericarditis), and other diseases like glioblastoma and lymphomatic cancer. For the complete list, visit our Presumptive Conditions page.

Agent Orange Expansion

The PACT Act expanded Agent Orange presumptive coverage to include veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam era (1962-1975) at specific Royal Thai Military Bases. It also covered veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange through C-123 aircraft that were previously used to spray the herbicide in Vietnam. These veterans had been fighting for recognition for decades, and the PACT Act finally acknowledged their exposure and its health consequences. New presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure were added as well, including hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and additional cancers.

Toxic Exposure Screenings

The PACT Act requires the VA to provide toxic exposure screenings to every veteran enrolled in VA healthcare. During your next VA appointment, you should be asked about potential toxic exposures during your service. These screenings help identify veterans who may be at risk for conditions they have not yet claimed or been diagnosed with. If you have not received a screening, ask your VA provider about it at your next visit.

How to File a PACT Act Claim

Filing a PACT Act claim follows the same general process as any VA disability claim, but with the advantage that presumptive conditions eliminate the need for a nexus letter connecting your condition to service. Here is the process:

• Step 1: File an Intent to File. Go to VA.gov, call 1-800-827-1000, or work with a VSO to submit an Intent to File. This protects your effective date and gives you one year to complete your claim.
• Step 2: Gather your evidence. You will need your DD-214 showing qualifying service locations, any medical records documenting your current condition, and documentation of your toxic exposure (deployment orders, service records showing location assignments). For presumptive conditions, you primarily need to prove you served in the qualifying location and have the qualifying diagnosis.
• Step 3: File your claim. Submit your claim online at VA.gov or through a VSO. When selecting your conditions, indicate that they are related to toxic exposure. The VA has streamlined PACT Act claims processing to handle the increased volume.
• Step 4: Attend your C&P exam. The VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension exam. Be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Read our complete VA claims filing guide for detailed C&P exam preparation tips.

Timelines and Processing

The VA has been processing PACT Act claims at a historically fast pace. As of 2025, the VA reported processing over one million PACT Act claims. Average processing times for presumptive condition claims tend to be faster than standard claims because the presumptive framework reduces the evidence requirements. However, processing times can still vary depending on complexity, the need for C&P exams, and the volume of claims at your regional office. Expect anywhere from 90 to 180 days for most PACT Act claims, though some straightforward presumptive claims have been resolved in as little as 30 to 60 days.

Previously Denied? Here Is What to Do

If you previously filed a claim for a condition related to toxic exposure and were denied before the PACT Act, you have options. You can file a Supplemental Claim citing the PACT Act as new and relevant evidence. The change in law itself constitutes new evidence that was not available when your original claim was decided. This is particularly important because if your new claim is granted, your effective date may be backdated depending on the specifics of your situation.

Contact a VSO to help you file your Supplemental Claim. They can review your original denial, identify which PACT Act presumptive conditions apply, and ensure your new claim is properly documented. Use our VSO Locator tool to find an accredited representative near you.

Who Should Act Now?

The PACT Act affects a broad range of veterans, but you should take action immediately if any of these apply to you:

• You served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, or other Southwest Asia locations after 9/11 and were exposed to burn pits.
• You served in Thailand during the Vietnam era at or near a Royal Thai Military Base.
• You were a crew member or maintainer of C-123 aircraft after the Vietnam War.
• You have been diagnosed with any cancer, respiratory illness, or other condition that may be linked to toxic exposure.
• You were previously denied a VA claim for a condition that is now a PACT Act presumptive condition.
• Your VA healthcare eligibility expired under the old five-year rule.