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Typically replies in minutesThe PACT Act is the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades. If you served near burn pits, Agent Orange, contaminated water, or other toxic substances, you may now qualify for disability compensation and expanded healthcare.
Toxic exposure refers to contact with harmful chemicals, substances, or environmental hazards during military service. The VA now recognizes a wide range of exposures that can cause chronic illness, cancer, respiratory disease, and other serious health conditions years or even decades after service.
Many of these exposures now qualify for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act, meaning you no longer need to prove a direct link between your service and your condition — the VA presumes it.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022. It represents the most significant expansion of VA healthcare and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans in over 30 years.
You may qualify for PACT Act benefits if you served in any of the following:
Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide used by the U.S. military to eliminate forest cover and crops during the Vietnam War. It contained dioxin (TCDD), one of the most toxic chemicals ever produced. Millions of gallons were sprayed across Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, and the health consequences have affected veterans for decades.
Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides were used, tested, or stored at the following locations:
If you served in one of the recognized locations, the following conditions are presumptively service-connected. You do not need to prove a direct nexus:
Filing for an Agent Orange presumptive condition is more straightforward than a standard claim because you do not need a nexus letter. You need to establish:
From 1953 to 1987, service members, their families, and civilian workers at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were exposed to contaminated drinking water. The water supply contained dangerous levels of industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene.
An estimated one million people were exposed during this 34-year period. The contamination is now linked to numerous cancers and chronic diseases.
If you served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, the following conditions are presumptively service-connected:
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, included in the PACT Act, provides an additional pathway for veterans and family members exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Under the CLJA, individuals who were exposed may file a federal lawsuit seeking damages, even if they were previously barred by state statutes of limitations. This is separate from VA disability compensation and applies to both veterans and civilian family members who lived or worked on base during the contamination period.
You have two pathways for Camp Lejeune-related claims:
Open burn pits were the primary waste disposal method at military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Southwest Asia locations. These pits burned everything from plastics and medical waste to batteries, chemicals, and human waste, releasing a toxic cocktail of particulate matter, dioxins, and volatile organic compounds into the air.
An estimated 3.5 million veterans were exposed to burn pit smoke during their service. Under the PACT Act, the VA now presumes that veterans who served in these areas were exposed to toxic substances.
The PACT Act added the following as presumptive conditions for burn pit and airborne hazard exposure:
Under the PACT Act, if you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, or other covered locations after August 2, 1990, the VA concedes your toxic exposure. This means you do not need to independently prove you were near a burn pit. The burden of proof shifts in your favor, making it significantly easier to establish service connection for related conditions.
Filing a toxic exposure claim follows a structured process. Here is the step-by-step guide to submitting your claim:
Identify which toxic substances you were exposed to during service. Review your DD-214, service records, and deployment history. If you served in a covered location, note the dates and duration.
Obtain a formal diagnosis from a qualified medical provider for each condition you plan to claim. Even for presumptive conditions, you need a current diagnosis on record. Your VA primary care provider or a private physician can provide this.
Compile your DD-214, service treatment records (STRs), current medical records, and any buddy statements that document your exposure. For non-presumptive conditions, a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service is critical.
If applicable, enroll in the VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. While not required for a claim, it creates an official record of your exposure and can support your case.
Submit VA Form 21-526EZ through VA.gov. Select "new claim" or "supplemental claim" as appropriate. Clearly note the PACT Act and presumptive service connection in your claim submission. Upload all supporting evidence.
The VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. This exam determines the severity of your condition and your rating percentage. Prepare thoroughly by understanding the rating criteria for your specific conditions.
If your toxic exposure claim was previously denied before the PACT Act, you may be eligible to file a supplemental claim under the new presumptive rules. The PACT Act provides a basis for reconsideration. Contact us for a free strategy call to discuss your options.
Book a free 15-minute strategy call to find out if you qualify for benefits under the PACT Act.
305-897-2805Last updated: February 25, 2026
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Last updated: February 25, 2026
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