TOXIC EXPOSURE
PACT Act Info for Veterans
What is the PACT Act?
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act) grants permanent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare eligibility to 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans. The PACT Act also adds more than 20 new presumptive service-connected illnesses related to exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances for veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding areas.
The PACT Act was signed into law in August of 2022, and represents the largest expansion of benefits for veterans and their survivors in decades.
Toxic Exposure Disability Benefits
To receive toxic exposure disability compensation, you must show that you served in one of the specified locations during certain times AND a current diagnosis of one of 20+ select conditions. For more details and support resources, use the links below.
Component 1 of 2 needed to file a successful claim
You must be able to show that you served at eligible times and locations.
- On or after August 2, 1990: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (new), or U.A.E.
- On or after September 11, 2001: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt (new), Jordan (new), Lebanon (new), Syria, Yemen (new), or Uzbekistan
Component 2 of 2 needed to file a successful claim
You must be able to show that you have a current diagnosis of an eligible condition.
- Cancers: Brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancer of any type, glioblastoma, head cancer of any type, kidney cancer, lymphatic cancer of any type, lymphoma of any type, melanoma, neck cancer of any type, pancreatic cancer, reproductive cancer of any type, respiratory cancer of any type.
- Illnesses: Asthma that was diagnosed after service, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, emphysema, granulomatous disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis.
Ready to file a claim? Contact the WWP Resource Center to be connected to our Benefits Services team.
VA Health Care Expansion
As part of the PACT Act’s passage, two groups of veterans are eligible for expanded VA health care. See the details below to find out if you meet the criteria for either of these two groups and what to do next. Open enrollment ends September 30, 2023. For more details and support resources, use the links below.
Group 1: Post-9/11 combat veterans
You must have served after September 11, 2001, and been awarded one of the following medals: Campaign Specific Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Service Specific Expeditionary Medal, Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal, or any other combat theater award established by law or executive order.
- If you were discharged or released before October 1, 2013: You MUST enroll in VA health care by September 30, 2023. Otherwise, you will be subjected to the 10-year phased enrollment period.
- If you were discharged or released on or after October 1, 2013: You now have 10 years to enroll after your discharge date.
Group 2: Veterans who served in other areas of known exposure
You must have served:
- On or after August 2, 1990, in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Somalia, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E., or Oman.
- On or after September 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon or any location the VA Secretary determines is appropriate as future expansion of locations is possible.
- In operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, or Resolute Support Mission.
- If you’ve had any risk of exposure recorded in an exposure record tracking system, including Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER).
You can enroll in VA health care during a specific window, based on your discharge date. These windows are outlined below.
- If you were discharged August 2, 1990 – September 11, 2001 — your eligibility begins October 1, 2024.
- If you were discharged September 12, 2001 – December 31, 2006 — your eligibility begins October 1, 2026.
- If you were discharged January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2012 — your eligibility begins October 1, 2028.
- If you were discharged January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2018 — your eligibility begins October 1, 2030.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- September 30, 2023: The deadline for post-9/11 combat veterans (as defined above) who were discharged or released before October 1, 2013, to enroll in VA health care. Enrolling after this date will subject you to the phased enrollment period.
- Phased enrollment period: The phased enrollment period outlined below applies to two groups of veterans.
- Veterans who served in other areas of known exposure (as defined above).
- Post-9/11 veterans (as defined above) who were discharged or released before October 1, 2013, AND do NOT enroll in VA health care by October 1, 2023.
| Discharge Dates | Eligibility Begins |
| August 2, 1990 - September 11, 2001 | October 1, 2024 |
| September 12, 2001 - December 31, 2006 | October 1, 2026 |
| January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2012 | October 1, 2028 |
| January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2018 | October 1, 2030 |