The PACT Act is the largest expansion of veteran benefits in decades. It adds dozens of presumptive conditions tied to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures. If you have a presumptive condition, you do not have to prove it was caused by your service. This guide lists the PACT Act presumptive conditions for 2026 and how to file.
What Is a Presumptive Condition?
Normally, you must prove your condition is linked to your service. With a presumptive condition, the VA already accepts the link. You just need a current diagnosis and proof you served in a qualifying time and place. This makes claims faster and easier to win.
Burn Pit Presumptive Cancers
The PACT Act made these cancers presumptive for veterans exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards (Gulf War and post-9/11 service):
- Brain cancer
- Glioblastoma
- Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
- 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 (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Burn Pit Presumptive Illnesses (Non-Cancer)
- Asthma (diagnosed after service)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Constrictive or obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
- Granulomatous disease
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
New Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions
The PACT Act added two conditions for veterans exposed to Agent Orange:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) — see our hypertension VA rating guide.
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
It also expanded the list of locations presumed exposed to Agent Orange, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll.
How to File a PACT Act Claim
- Confirm your condition is on the presumptive list above.
- Gather your diagnosis and service records showing where you served.
- File a disability claim on VA.gov or with a VSO.
- Attend any VA exam (C&P exam) the VA schedules.
There is no deadline to file under the PACT Act, but filing sooner can set an earlier effective date for back pay. Learn the basics in our PACT Act explainer.