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Sep 25, 2020 · The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
- Your Intent To File a VA Claim
An intent to file sets a potential start date (or effective...
- File For Disability Benefits
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites...
- Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals and Materials
If you served in the Republic of Vietnam, in Thailand, or in...
- Supplemental Claims
The PACT Act law adds more than 20 presumptive conditions...
- Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Health Issues
Note: The PACT Act doesn’t affect VA benefits related to...
- The PACT Act and Your Care
The PACT Act includes new presumptive conditions for burn...
- Your Intent To File a VA Claim
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Aug 11, 2023 · The PACT Act links more medical conditions with toxins common during military service and assumes service-connection for some illnesses. Learn how this could affect your disability rating, compensation, pension, and survivors benefits.
- Overview
- What is the PACT Act?
- What changes does the PACT Act bring?
- How do you submit a claim for PACT-related benefits?
- What if the VA denied my claim, but now it’s covered under PACT?
- Is there a deadline?
- The bottom line
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Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and toxins during service may now be eligible for more coverage
The PACT Act is a new law that gives Veterans healthcare coverage for conditions stemming from exposure to toxins during military service.
The PACT Act is the biggest expansion of VA healthcare and benefits in decades. In 2022, this federal legislation expanded VA healthcare and benefits to millions of Veterans exposed to toxins during their military service.
The PACT Act adds more than 20 “presumptive conditions” from burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures, which, if you meet the requirements for service, the VA will now automatically assume (or presume) were the cause of your condition. The act also adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
Expansion of eligibility
Did you serve in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, or during the post-9/11 era? If so, you might now qualify for expanded or extended coverage. Additionally, many post-9/11 combat Veterans may be eligible for coverage. If you fall into this cohort, the VA encourages you to apply for coverage regardless of your separation date. Find out whether you’re eligible.
Presumptive conditions
The PACT Act covers certain types of toxic exposure conditions that are presumed to have come from your military service. You don’t have to prove they did. Most disabilities require you to prove that your disability originated from your military service for you to receive coverage. But with presumptive conditions, you only need to meet the service requirements related to the condition. Read the full list of presumptive conditions added by the PACT Act.
Covered conditions
Through the PACT Act, many conditions have become presumptive, including many different kinds of cancer and lung and airway conditions. A few common conditions addressed in the PACT Act are: •high blood pressure (a new presumed condition for Agent Orange exposure) •nose irritation and inflammation •sinus inflammation and infections •bronchial asthma
Your first step is to submit an “intent to file” form to indicate that you intend to file a claim or supplemental claim for for disability compensation, pension benefits and/or dependency, and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.
The “intent to file” form sets the potential start date or effective date for benefits. This is important for the consideration of retroactive benefits.
To submit this form, download VA form 21-0966 (PDF) and mail the completed form to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI, 53547.
Then you can visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website to file a claim and apply for benefits.
The process for filing a disability claim for PACT Act-related conditions is the same as you’d follow to file other disability claims:
•Find out whether you’re eligible.
If you already made a claim for coverage before PACT, but it was denied or coverage for the toxic exposure was omitted, you can submit a supplemental claim to receive your new coverage.
To file a supplemental claim, you’ll need to meet a few requirements, including:
•The VA decided on your claim in the past, and it was not “contested.” This means you did not challenge the VA decision to deny a previous claim for toxic exposure health care, or benefits related to conditions.
•You’re requesting a review of your claim based on the PACT Act — that is, you believe you were exposed to toxic or hazardous conditions during service.
You can make a supplemental claim online, in person, by phone with the VA, or through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
Learn more about how to file a supplemental claim with the VA.
The retroactive filing period has concluded, meaning you can no longer receive coverage for time before you submitted your claim, but you are still able to apply for coverage going forward.
There’s no deadline to apply for PACT benefits but, once you submit an intent to file form, you have one year to complete and file the claim.
If you’re a Veteran who experienced exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and toxins, consider applying for the new health benefits available to you.
You can file a VA claim now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, including critical care and support for families of survivors.
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to toxins during military service. Learn who is eligible, what conditions are covered, and how to file a claim for PACT-related benefits.
- Stephanie Orford
PACT Act: Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act. Will applying for PACT ACT benefits impact my current benefits? If you file a claim, there is a 97% chance that your benefits will either increase or stay the same. Can the VA deny a presumptive disability? Any disabilities must have a clear connection to
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors— with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
Aug 31, 2022 · The PACT Act includes new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures. To see a complete list of the new presumptive conditions and presumptive exposure service locations, visit The PACT Act and your VA benefits. How to file a PACT Act claim.
VA has prepared this PACT Act Stakeholder Toolkit for you to use and share information about VA’s expansion of health care eligibility for Veterans.
