Who qualifies for Burn Pits & the PACT Act benefits?

You generally need qualifying service in a recognized location and time period (listed above), a current diagnosis, and a discharge that isn't dishonorable.

Is Burn Pits & the PACT Act covered under the PACT Act?

Yes. This exposure is recognized under the PACT Act, which expanded presumptive conditions and eligibility for toxic-exposed veterans.

How do I file an exposure claim?

File a disability claim listing your condition and exposure. Start with an Intent to File to lock your effective date, get a current diagnosis, and bring your service records. The VA Ready app and guides walk you through each step.

Burn Pits & the PACT Act — VA Presumptive Conditions & Claims

Q: What conditions are presumptive for Burn Pits & the PACT Act?

VA recognizes 24 presumptive conditions, including Brain cancer, Gastrointestinal cancer of any type, Glioblastoma, Genitourinary cancer of any type. With qualifying service you don't have to prove the connection.

Open-air burn pits and airborne hazards exposed Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans to smoke and fine particulate. The PACT Act made dozens of cancers and respiratory illnesses presumptive for veterans who served in qualifying locations.

Who's covered

VA recognizes exposure for service in these locations and time periods:

Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards - Post-9/11 Theater
from September 11, 2001
Open-air burn pits and fine particulate matter exposure during post-9/11 service in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and the airspace above.
Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards - Gulf War Theater
from August 2, 1990
Open-air burn pits and fine particulate matter exposure during Gulf War service in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and surrounding waters plus the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arab
Kuwait Oil Well Fires (1991)
February 1, 1991 – November 30, 1991
During the 1991 Gulf War, retreating Iraqi forces ignited Kuwaiti oil wells, producing dense smoke from Feb through Nov 1991. Exposure falls under 38 CFR 3.317 SW Asia and PACT Act burn-pit presumptions.

Presumptive conditions (24)

If you have a qualifying diagnosis and the service above, VA presumes these are connected to your exposure — you don't have to prove causation:

Brain cancerGastrointestinal cancer of any typeGlioblastomaGenitourinary cancer of any typeHead cancer of any typeHematologic and lymphatic cancersLymphoma of any typeMelanomaNeck cancer of any typePancreatic cancerReproductive cancer of any typeRespiratory cancer of any typeAsthma diagnosed after serviceChronic bronchitisCOPDChronic rhinitisChronic sinusitisConstrictive or obliterative bronchiolitisEmphysemaGranulomatous diseaseInterstitial lung disease (ILD)PleuritisPulmonary fibrosisSarcoidosis

See your conditions and what they rate, then build your combined rating — open the free calculator →

What you need to file

DD-214 — Establishes service on or after Sep 11, 2001
Personnel records / orders / deployment records — Confirms service in qualifying country or airspace
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry record — Supports exposure narrative
Medical diagnosis — Confirms a PACT presumptive condition
Personnel records / orders — Confirms qualifying country or maritime zone

How to file

File a disability claim for your diagnosed condition and note the exposure. The usual path: lock your date with an Intent to File, get a current diagnosis, gather your service records, and prepare for your C&P exam. If service connection isn't obvious, a nexus letter can help.

Legal authority & sources

PACT Act 2022 (Pub.L.117-168)

Burn Pits & the PACT Act — Presumptive Conditions