The PACT Act (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022) dramatically expanded Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during military service. Under this law, the VA automatically presumes that certain medical conditions are caused by service if you served in designated locations and timeframes, meaning you don’t have to prove causation with a medical nexus.
Below is a clear, up-to-date breakdown of the presumptive conditions the PACT Act covers as of 2026.
Overview of PACT Act Presumptive Conditions
| Category | Conditions Covered |
|---|---|
| Cancers (Respiratory, Digestive, Systemic) | Brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancer (any type), glioblastoma, head cancer (any type), kidney cancer, lymphatic cancer, lymphoma (any type), melanoma, neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, reproductive cancer (any type), respiratory cancer (any type) |
| Respiratory & Lung Diseases | Asthma (diagnosed after service), chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, constrictive/obliterative bronchiolitis, emphysema, granulomatous disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis |
1. Cancers Now Presumed Service-Connected
Under the PACT Act, the VA presumes the following types of cancer are caused by toxic exposure, as long as you served in a qualifying area and timeframe. You do not need to prove a medical link between your military service and the condition.
- Brain cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
- Glioblastoma
- Head cancer of any type
- Kidney cancer
- Lymphatic cancer of any type
- Lymphoma of any type
- Melanoma
- Neck cancer of any type
- Pancreatic cancer
- Reproductive cancer of any type (e.g., ovarian, prostate)
- Respiratory cancer of any type (e.g., lung cancer)
These expanded cancer presumptions simplify VA disability claims for veterans with these diagnoses who were exposed to burn pits or other toxic substances.
2. Non-Cancer Respiratory & Lung Conditions Presumed
In addition to cancers, the PACT Act includes the following chronic respiratory illnesses as presumptive service-connected conditions:
- Asthma (if diagnosed after military 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 conditions reflect long-term or progressive damage to the respiratory system that the VA now recognizes as likely linked to burn pit and airborne toxic exposures during service.
3. What Presumptive Means for Your Claim
If you have one of these conditions and you served in a qualifying location and time period under the PACT Act, the VA assumes your condition is connected to your service:
- You don’t need a medical opinion linking your condition to service exposure.
- The VA only needs to verify your service and diagnosis.
- This can speed up approval and reduce the documentation burden on you.
To qualify, your service must include time in zones where the VA recognizes a high risk of exposure to burn pits or other toxins, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, and other Southwest Asia theaters on or after specific dates defined by law.
4. Additional Presumptive Expansions (Agent Orange & Other Hazards)
In addition to burn pit presumptions, the PACT Act also expanded conditions related to Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam-era veterans. For example:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
These conditions are considered presumptive when linked to Agent Orange exposure, not burn pit or airborne hazards.
5. Why the PACT Act Matters?
Before the PACT Act, many veterans with cancers or chronic respiratory illnesses had difficulty proving that their service exposures caused their conditions. Now, if:
- You have a current diagnosis listed above, and
- You meet the service location and time requirements,
The VA generally assumes service connection for your disability claim, reducing the need for complex medical nexus evidence and expediting benefits eligibility.
Final Thoughts
The PACT Act’s presumptive condition list has opened the door for millions of veterans to access VA disability compensation and healthcare benefits without the hurdle of proving service causation. Its inclusion of both serious cancers and chronic respiratory diseases makes it easier for Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans and their families to receive the benefits they earned through service
If you believe you qualify based on your service and illness, consider filing a claim through VA.gov or consult a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for guidance on the process.
FAQs
Do I need medical evidence linking exposure to my condition?
Not for presumptive conditions under the PACT Act. You must show service in qualifying areas and the current diagnosis.
Are these the only presumptive conditions?
This list covers the main burn pit and toxic exposure categories. Other presumptive conditions (e.g., Agent Orange-linked diseases or Camp Lejeune water exposure conditions) are separate and have their own lists.
Can a survivor file a claim for these conditions?
Yes. If a veteran died from a presumptive condition, eligible survivors may be able to file for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
