Do I need to prove I was near burn pits to file a PACT Act claim?

No. Under the PACT Act, if you served in a covered location during a covered time period, conditions on the presumptive list are assumed to be connected to your service. You do not need to prove direct exposure to burn pits. Your deployment record is sufficient evidence. This is what 'presumptive' means — the VA presumes the connection.

What if I was already denied for a VA condition that is now presumptive under the PACT Act?

File a Supplemental Claim citing the PACT Act as new and relevant evidence. The VA must reconsider your claim under the new presumptive rules. Many previously denied claims are now being approved. If you were denied for a burn pit condition, Agent Orange condition, or any newly presumptive condition, file that Supplemental Claim immediately.

How far back can I get backpay under the PACT Act?

Your effective date is typically your Intent to File (ITF) date or your claim filing date — whichever is earlier. For PACT Act claims filed before August 10, 2026, the effective date can go back to August 10, 2022 (when the law was signed). This means up to 4 years of retroactive compensation. File an Intent to File TODAY to protect your effective date.

What is an Intent to File and should I do it now?

An Intent to File (ITF) is a formal notice to the VA that you plan to file a claim. It locks in your effective date and gives you 1 year to submit the full claim. Filing an ITF is free, takes 5 minutes, and protects your backpay date. Yes — you should file one immediately, even if you are not ready to submit your full claim.

Can I claim multiple presumptive conditions under the PACT Act?

Absolutely. Many veterans qualify for multiple presumptive conditions. Each condition gets its own rating, and ratings combine using VA math (bilateral factor, combined rating table). A veteran with 3-4 conditions can often reach 70-100% combined even if no single condition rates that high. We recommend claiming everything you qualify for.

Do I need a lawyer or representative to file a PACT Act claim?

You are not required to have representation, but it significantly increases your chances of getting the correct rating on the first try. Many veterans are underrated because they did not know how to present their conditions properly. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can represent you for free, or you can use an accredited claims agent.

What if I was exposed but do not have a current diagnosis?

For Gulf War Illness, you can claim undiagnosed chronic multi-symptom illnesses. For other exposures, you still need a current diagnosis — but the PACT Act expanded VA healthcare eligibility, so you can get screened and diagnosed through the VA at no cost. Enroll in VA healthcare first, get the diagnosis, then file the claim.

I served at Camp Lejeune. What are my options?

If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune for 30+ days between 1953 and 1987, you qualify for presumptive service connection for 8 conditions AND you may be eligible to file a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) for additional compensation. These are two separate tracks — you can pursue both.

Largest VA Benefits Expansion in 30 Years

The PACT Act: Are You Newly
Eligible for VA Benefits?

The PACT Act expands VA healthcare and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances during military service. It adds dozens of new presumptive conditions — meaning the VA now assumes your illness is connected to your service.

Over 3.5 million veterans are now eligible for new benefits

Free eligibility check — takes 2 minutes

Were You Exposed to Any of These?

Select all exposures that apply to your service. We will show you which presumptive conditions you may qualify for.

🔥 Burn Pits

Iraq, Afghanistan, Southwest Asia — post-9/11 toxic exposure

🧪 Agent Orange

Vietnam, Thailand, Korea DMZ, test/storage sites

☢️ Radiation Exposure

Nuclear testing, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Enewetak Atoll cleanup

💧 Camp Lejeune Water

Stationed at Camp Lejeune 1953-1987 (30+ days)

🏜️ Gulf War Illness

Southwest Asia theater (1990-present)

Complete PACT Act Presumptive Conditions Database

Every presumptive condition added or expanded under the PACT Act, organized by exposure type. Includes ICD-10 codes, typical VA rating ranges, estimated monthly compensation, and evidence requirements.

PACT Act Timeline & Critical Deadlines

Key dates every veteran needs to know. The sooner you file, the more backpay you receive.

August 10, 2022

PACT Act signed into law

President Biden signs the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

January 1, 2023

First presumptive conditions take effect

Initial wave of new burn pit and Agent Orange presumptive conditions become claimable.

October 1, 2024

All PACT Act presumptive conditions active

Remaining conditions phased in. All toxic exposure presumptives now available for claims.

August 10, 2026

CRITICAL: Special filing deadline

File by this date to receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022 — up to 4 YEARS of backpay. After this date, benefits start from your filing date only.

December 31, 2026

Gulf War illness manifestation deadline

Undiagnosed multi-symptom illnesses from Gulf War service must manifest by this date to qualify for presumptive service connection.

Ongoing

No general expiration

The PACT Act does not expire. You can file a claim at any time. But the special backpay provisions have deadlines — every day you wait costs you money.

Backpay Example

A veteran rated at 70% disability earns $1,716.28/month.

Filing before August 10, 2026 could mean 4 years of backpay = $82,381+

At 100%, that could be $179,424+ in retroactive compensation.

Every day you wait past the deadline is money you cannot recover.

VA 2026 Benefit Changes

What veterans need to know about current VA disability compensation and PACT Act expansions.

VA disability compensation rates adjust annually based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2026 VA rating tables reflect the latest adjustments, and veterans should verify their compensation matches the current schedule published by the VA.

Compensation Rates

VA disability compensation ranges from approximately $171/month at 10% to over $3,900/month at 100% for a single veteran with no dependents. Rates increase with dependents and special monthly compensation (SMC) categories. Our calculator on the main page reflects current 2026 VA rating tables.

PACT Act Expansions

The PACT Act continues to expand coverage through 2026. All presumptive conditions are now active, including new additions for Agent Orange exposure (hypertension, bladder cancer, parkinsonism, MGUS). Veterans who served in covered locations should review the full presumptive conditions list above.

Filing Deadlines

The August 10, 2026 special filing deadline allows retroactive benefits back to August 10, 2022. Gulf War illness claims require conditions to manifest by December 31, 2026. Filing an Intent to File (ITF) today protects your effective date at no cost.

Combined Ratings

The VA uses "VA math" (38 CFR 4.25) to combine multiple disability ratings. This is not simple addition — a 50% and a 30% rating combine to 65%, not 80%. Our free calculator uses the official VA math formula including the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26).

This information is for general educational purposes only. Individual benefit amounts depend on your specific rating, number of dependents, and other factors. For personalized guidance, consult a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney. Forged VA Council does not provide legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the PACT Act and filing your claim.

Check Your Eligibility Now — Free, 2 Minutes

Get a personalized PACT Act eligibility assessment. We will identify every presumptive condition you may qualify for and estimate your potential monthly compensation.

Don't Wait — Every Day You Delay Is Money Left on the Table

The August 10, 2026 deadline is approaching. Filing before this date could mean tens of thousands in retroactive compensation. Forged Council files your PACT Act claims fast and gets you the benefits you earned.