What Is the PACT Act and Who Does It Help?

Many veterans develop disabling chronic health conditions due to exposure to hazardous substances and materials during their military service. These veterans may qualify for VA disability benefits. However, proving that a health condition occurred due to in-service toxic exposure can become challenging for veterans. Fortunately, the PACT Act expands the scope of conditions that can qualify as service-connected, allowing more veterans to access critical VA disability benefits. 

Understanding the PACT Act

The PACT Act (Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics [PACT] Act) provided one of the most significant expansions of healthcare and disability benefits in VA history. Enacted in 2022, the PACT Act’s provisions improved access to medical care and disability benefits for veterans who developed health conditions due to exposure to toxic substances during military service. The Act aimed to address gaps in existing VA laws and regulations governing benefits and healthcare for service-connected illnesses resulting from toxic exposure. 

Some of the changes enacted by the PACT Act include:

• Expanded and extended eligibility for VA healthcare for veterans who experienced in-service toxic exposure, including veterans of the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and post-9/11 military actions
• Added over 20 presumptive conditions caused by exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other common military toxic exposures
• Added more presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange or radiation exposure
• Mandated toxic exposure screening for veterans receiving VA healthcare

What Health Conditions Does the PACT Act Cover?

The PACT Act identified numerous health conditions that constitute a presumptive service-connected disability under certain conditions. These conditions include:

• Cancer
• Asthma diagnosed post-discharge 
• Chronic bronchitis
• COPD
• Emphysema
• Bronchiolitis
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pleuritis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Aplastic anemia
• Hypertension
• Chronic peripheral neuropathy
• Ischemic heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypothyroidism

The PACT Act authorizes the VA to continue research to identify additional medical conditions caused by military exposure sources, such as burn pits used in Iraq and Afghanistan, Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War, and contaminated water at military bases like Camp Lejeune. 

Eligibility Criteria Under the PACT Act

The PACT Act extends benefits eligibility to veterans who meet specific criteria, including:

• Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf War, the Vietnam War, and other specified locations
• Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radioactive sources, and other toxins during military service

Some dependents of veterans may also qualify for benefits under the PACT Act. For example, surviving spouses and dependent children may obtain survivor’s benefits. The Act also extends benefits to children of veterans who experienced toxic exposures when those children developed congenital health issues due to their parent’s toxic exposure, such as spina bifida. 

What Benefits Does the PACT Act Provide?

Some of the benefits conferred by the PACT Act include:

• Access to VA healthcare veterans who have not previously enrolled for care
• A simplified process of applying for disability benefits, as presumptive conditions relieve veterans from the need to establish a service connection
• Retroactive benefits for some qualifying veterans
• Eligibility for survivor benefits for certain eligible surviving dependents of veterans who pass away due to service-connected illnesses

How to Apply for Benefits

Veterans and other eligible family members can apply for PACT Act benefits through the VA’s website or in person at a local VA office. Veterans can apply with the help of an accredited VA disability benefits attorney. However, veterans should apply as soon as possible to preserve their eligibility for various benefits extended by the PACT Act.

Contact a VA Disability Benefits Lawyer Today

When you have a condition listed in the PACT Act, you may have the right to seek VA disability benefits. Contact Veterans Benefits Law Group today for a free initial consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to discuss your eligibility under the PACT Act and the process of filing a benefits claim.